Soul Secret – Flowing Portraits

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ProgRock Records
Produced by Karl Groom

Italy’s Soul Secret have been around in various forms for four years, but various personal challenges to individuals and the band as a whole have prevented them from reaching the consistency needed to take that step to making a debut album.

They achieved that consistency with vocalist Michele Serpico, who wrote all of the lyrics and vocal melodies for album but were again forced to change and finally brought in former Mind Key vocalist Mark Basile to complete the album. It was this line-up which were signed for Worldwide distribution by ProgRock Records.

The low number of tracks belies the true length of the disc with four seven-eight minute tracks, just one sub-five minute song and the obligatory epic sixteen-minute closer the disc clocks in at a respectable 51 minutes. Throughout its length the disc touches every prog metal base, comfortably showing off the band’s musicianship and song-writing skills.

Instead of an all-out heavy approach the music here is considered, measured and moves through the full set of emotions and styles with flowing instrumental passages that recall Dream Theater at their expressive best as well as other self-confessed influences like Symphony X and Spock’s Beard. Of the shorter tracks it is one of their oldest, Inner War, which shows off their skill the best with amazing playing by all four musicians.

The first minute of acoustic melodies before more traditional progressive keyboards and guitars take over is reminiscent of Ayreon while Basile’s vocals take on similar qualities to Roine Stolt (Flower Kings), albeit technically more accomplished. The all-acoustic Regrets demonstrates the bands delicate side, with outstanding restrained vocals from Basile.

Of course it’s closer Tears of Kalliroe that will excite prog fans the most and the band don’t disappoint, running the full gamut of styles from the grand classical intro (read: three minutes) through some of the album’s heaviest guitars to some typically intricate keyboard playing and impossible guitar solos. It’s five minutes before any vocals are heard and in places these are some of the most aggressive of the record.

Flowing Portraits is one of the most impressive progressive metal debuts for some time, possibly since Daniel J.’s Losing Time (also on ProgRock Records). Hopefully they can build from this, get some solid touring under their belt and become a staple on the prog circuit.

“ touches every prog metal base ”

Tracklist: Dance of The Waves / First Creature / Inner War / Learning To Lose / Regrets / Tears of Kalliroe

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Progressive, Soul Secret