Machination

Secret Rule were founded in early 2014 with the idea to combine a punchy sound with catchy melodies. In February 2015 the debut album “Transposed Emotions” was released by the band from the Italian capital. And only 1¼ years later the second album “machination” is in the starting blocks. During the recordings, the trio was completed by keyboard player Henrik Klingenberg and drummer Sander Zoer.

“Ex-Machina” starts with industrial sounds, which are also retained in the course of the song. Keyboards accompany the drums and the guitars, the vocals sound, rather fittingly to the song, a little bit choppy. Fortunately, singer Angela Di Vincenzo has no run-of-the mill-voice. Overall, the opening track of the album is not exactly arranged catchy. The Industrial sounds then are also continued during the following songs, synths are pushing their self into the foreground, good to hear, for example, in “The Saviour” or “Your Trap”.

In the fast played “Dolls“ Angela is showing, that she also feels comfortable in deeper vocal range. The song is created fascinating progressive. By far the best song for me on the album is a ballad. In “The Image” the vocals and instrumentation fit excellently together. Especially the riffs know how to convince, the keyboards remain discreetly in the background, fittingly, more e-piano sounds can be heard. A super guitar solo completes this song.

In “Foolish daisy” then growls flow into the arrangements, which should give the essentially pop melody guide a metallic touch. With another ballad (“A Mother”) the album sounds out, catchy melodies with partly acoustic plucked guitars.

One thing you can say about Secret Rule, here are excellent musicians at work. The voice of Angela Di Vincenzo is pleasant and very versatile. But all this can’t belie minor defects in the songwriting. Too few surprises, too little variety. There are some good musical approaches to hear, however boredom is spreading with repeated passes. The Italians actually show their potential only in the two ballads.

Release date: 24-06-2016
Reviewer: Rainer Kerber
Score: 7