From its menacing outset, Secrets takes the listener into the luminous spheres of spectral wraiths. The songwriting on the album entices us back into the age of the second wave of black metal. The brooding symphonic opening “Opening of the Gates” unveils the bombastic synth arrangements intricately crafted by Esoterica and Swartadauþuz who combine the freezing atmosphere of bands like Emperor. The scourging tremolos lashes under the thundering drums in the following song “Pagan Dreams…” brings the cold effect of the synth and the sinister screeching vocals as there is a perfect balance between the scathing tremolo-picked riffs and blast beats.

At its most sublime peak, the rhythm guitars and melodies are inspired by Norwegian black metal acts, while the atmosphere of the album captures the ambient tone within its 48 minutes duration. Each guitar riff, orchestral ornament, and tempo change are meticulously executed and steered between ferociously cold freezing atmospheres. At the same time, the haunting atmospheric elements are emphasized throughout the album, “Spawn of the Thousandth Moon” which evokes the cosmic symphonic style and classic rawness of bands like Odium and Limbonic Art.

The keyboard arrangements emit an otherworldly crescendo and much of the synth is layered to bring a sense of enigmatic images of menacing beauty, however, Secrets follows the symphonic traditional modus operandi of Nordic black metal. The slow ambient sections beautifully juxtapose the grandiose instruments before the drumming thunders loudly while the dark riffs are the backdrop to the music.

“Towards the Nightside” conveys a transcendental experience showcasing the utmost talent of these musicians, the immense feeling of majestic darkness wraps a thick-furred cloak over the listener. On this debut, the grandeur Secrets instills the aesthetics of atmospheric and symphonic black metal offering the mysterious nature of Scandinavian black metal, while tracks like “Shining Spear of Starlight” deliver an epic guitar work.

The symphonic quality swells with a dark, sinister experience. The grim, screeching vocals of Likpredikaren are magnificent as he presents his best performance. The furious drumming of Juhos becomes furious with each moment, the crashing cymbals and the thundering blast beats are played at lightning pace. And despite the slower tempos here and there, the dynamics unfold in the bombastic arrangements of the guitars and the synthesizers. The chilling effect of the tremolo-picked riffs & the rhythm guitars inspire the emotions, leaving you floating with the cold ambient soundscapes full of wonderment. The abrasive melodies sweep like a blazing fire that reflects the grandiose guitar work of Swartadauþuz & Sortilege.

After the short instrumental track “The Chaos Masquerade” the epic majestic fury continues to entrance the listener with the album’s title track “Towards the Nightside”. The profuse tremolo melodies glide in the ether with the phantom-like shrieks, the orchestral dimension is fully showcased in this dark-ridden odyssey. The artistic vision of the quintet conjures vast imagination and musical innovation that yields the debut album a gift of compositional complexity which is applied by catchy guitar arrangements.

The title of the debut album evokes ancient memories of Emperor’s masterpiece album “In the Nightside Eclipse”. The eight tracks are beautifully composed and flawlessly present some of the finest black metal albums that provide a rich atmosphere. The scathing guitars splendidly resonate with the grim screeches, Nordic melodies, and sorrowful haunting orchestration that defines a spectacular refined work from these gentlemen.

The sonic creativity is achieved on songs like “Bleeding Black Sacrament”, where the ambient effect of the synthesizers ebbs and flows with the lead melodies and rhythm guitars. The symphonic background unveils the work of art as Secrets on its debut invokes unearthly evil spirits of darkness projecting each song into a gloomy nightmarish voyage and taking you across the shining stars of the night realm.

The gothic setting of the keyboards makes you feel like you are in some spooky ghostly castle until the chilling harsh vocals fill your soul with the sense of lurking menace. What follows next is the final track “Into the Streams of Black Inferno” and the untitled track which features dark guitar melodies that become awash with a subtle ambient section, which segues in a theme of majestic fury.

Scathing tremolos rip into a maelstrom of sudden blast beats where the remaining portion of this track sends chills down your spine and gives you goosebumps that form up with the cold reverb of the tremolos, soaring riffs, and the ominous symphonic overtures.

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