REVIEW : Soul Secret -- Babel (2017, Pride & Joy Music)

The Italian progressive metal band of Soul Secret is not a newbie in the music scene. With already three albums on their back, Soul Secret returns with a brand new opus which is entitled "Babel". BABEL is a concept album, covering topics like religion and love and ranging from classic progressive rock to more modern progressive metal, with influences from djent, electronic and latin music.

Sam and Adriel (the main characters here..) are sent in space to find God, helped by logOS, an on-board computer providing cutting-edge technology to the mission. When they finally find the City Of Gods, they find it empty...

After a short but intense intro comes the first sample of Soul Secret's new work; "What Were All About" is really an amazing tune. Progressive rock, doesn't gets better, with some jazzy elements to surround it this track is just excellent and shows the multi-talent of this band. "A Shadow On The Surface" brings back memories form Dream Theater's earlier works (the first couple of records) and it's a more straight forward prog song that includes, once again, great arrangements, good vocals and some superb guitar lines.

It's time for some groovier things with "Will They" while in "LogO S " the band delivers a short, 'darker' and melancholic track. "Awakened By The Light" is probably the most diverse song of the new opus. More pop-ish, more up-tempo but without loosing any of its progressive previous elements "Awakened By The Light" really shines here. Especially the guitar solo is just brilliant. One of the album's highlights is, also, the last 14 minutes "In The Hardest Times" which grabs you with its variety of rhythms and leaves you with a sweet taste in your ears.

A bit 'difficult', if you ask me, album but for sure it's extremely interesting and enjoyable  from start to finish. Soul Secret tries to sound 'different' from the other bands of the nowadays modern-progressive metal/rock acts and they achieve it in a unique way. 

Rating : 8,5/10