Early Years (1997–2011)
Guitarist Aldo Lonobile formed Secret Sphere in July 1997. Early on, the band was influenced by hard rock, heavy metal, and classical music. After some lineup changes in December 1997, the band recorded their first demo, Between Story and Legend, in September 1998. The style of the demo was firmly in the symphonic power metal genre that was expanding in Italy at that time.
The demo caught the attention of the Italian progressive/power metal label Elevate Records, who signed the band to a two-album deal. In June 1999, Secret Sphere recorded the first full-length album, Mistress of the Shadowlight. The album continued in the stylistic direction shown on Between Story and Legend, and included re-recordings of a few songs from that demo.
In October 2001, the band returned to New Sin studios (where the first album had been recorded) to record their second full-length album, A Time Never Come, also released on Elevate Records.
Secret Sphere recorded two promo CDs in 2002 while in search of a new recording deal. They caught the attention of major German heavy metal label Nuclear Blast, who would go on to release the band's third album, Scent of Human Desire, in May 2003. Scent of Human Desire presented a change in direction for the band, focusing less on fantasy themes and more on romantic, sexual themes. After the release of Scent of Human Desire, drummer Luca Cartasegna left the band, citing difference in musical tastes.
The band's fourth album, Heart & Anger, was released in May 2005 on Nuclear Blast. Daniel Flores (Mind's Eye) was brought on as a session drummer for the recordings. After the album was released, a full replacement drummer was found in Federico Pennazzato. That same year, the band planned to back up the Danish progressive metal band Royal Hunt, however, the tour was cancelled two days before it was set to begin. A 2006 Scandinavian tour backing King Diamond was more successful for the band.
In 2008, Secret Sphere released their fifth album, Sweet Blood Theory, on Avalon in Japan and the German label Dockyard 1 Records in Europe. The album was based on the short story "The Vampyre", written by John William Polidori, as well as the atmospheres of Tim Burton's cinematographic work. Longtime members Antonio Agate (keyboards) and Paolo "Paco" Gianotti (guitars) departed the band after the release of the album; both had been with the band since the recording of their demo a decade before.
Dockyard 1 Records folded in 2009, but the band was picked up by the Italian heavy metal label Scarlet Records in time for their sixth full-length album, Archetype, released in September 2010. This was the first recording with new keyboardist Gabriele Ciaccia and new guitarist Marco Pastorino.
Vocalist change, later years (2012–)
In 2012, the band began recording for their seventh album. However, part way through recording, vocalist and founding member Roberto Ramon Messina left the band due to differences in musical direction. Michele Luppi, former vocalist of the Italian progressive power metal band Vision Divine, was recruited as Roberto's replacement, and the album, entitled Portrait of a Dying Heart, was released in November of that year on Scarlet Records. Drummer Fredderico Pennazzato left shortly after; Marco Lazzarini was chosen as his replacement.
Secret Sphere returned to the studio in 2015 to re-record their second album, A Time Never Come, in commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary of its release. A Time Never Come – 2015 edition was released by Scarlet Records in April 2015.
The band signed a multi-album deal with Frontiers Records in April 2016. Later that year, Frontiers released the band's first official live recording, One Night in Tokyo, as a 2CD + DVD set. Following the release of One Night in Tokyo, guitarist Marco Pastorino left the band. The band's eighth album, The Nature of Time, was released in June 2017, with only Lonobile on guitars.
The band released their most recent album, Lifeblood, on 12 March 2021. This album features the return of vocalist Roberto Messina for the first time since 2012.
Mr. Sin
Secret Sphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The same ol' situation slowly is killing your dream
An old man used to say in life you get what you want
Now your world is crushing down and you're the one to change your end
I know the secret to be a better man
I have the cure to fight the demons of fate
That crawling on you, crawling on you
Mr. Sin has come for you, Mr. Sin a liar in the dark
When you hear the call, it's much too late
And see the eyes of a stranger
Welcome to you new world made of vices and vanities
Silhouettes on floor are dancing down on your knees
A private hell for perfect men with dirty games to play
Since the day she left your home
You got the secret, got the fame and got the shame on you
You lost the reason, alone you think back to times
When you were fighting to live, fighting to live
Mr. Sin has come for you, Mr. Sin a liar in the dark
When you hear the call, it's much too late
And see the eyes of a stranger
But when you close you see
Maybe there's someone missing you
Mr. Sin has come for you, Mr. Sin a liar in the dark
When you hear the call, it's much too late
And see the eyes of a stranger
The lyrics to Secret Sphere's song "Mr. Sin" depict a person who has become disillusioned with their life. They find themselves trapped in the same old situation, which is slowly killing their dreams. The song references an old man who once said that in life, you get what you want. However, the singer's world is crushing down, and they must take action to change their fate.
The chorus introduces the character of Mr. Sin, a liar in the dark who has come for the singer. When they hear his call, it is already too late, and they find themselves in a new world of vices and vanities. The song describes this world as a private hell for perfect men with dirty games to play. Despite having the secret and the fame, the singer has lost their reason for living and now fights to survive.
The final verse turns inward, suggesting that the singer has a moment of reflection. They wonder if anyone misses them when they close their eyes. The message seems to be that the pursuit of worldly pleasures and success can lead to emptiness and loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Another day has slipped away fast from you skin
Time is flying by quickly and you're not taking advantage of it.
The same ol' situation slowly is killing your dream
Your monotonous life is hindering your aspirations and ambitions.
An old man used to say in life you get what you want
An elder once told you that in life, if you work hard enough, you can achieve your desired outcomes.
Now your world is crushing down and you're the one to change your end
You're at a low point in life and need to take charge to change your future.
I know the secret to be a better man
I have the knowledge to help you become a better person.
I have the cure to fight the demons of fate
I have a solution to help you overcome the hardships of destiny.
That crawling on you, crawling on you
The negative forces surrounding you are slowly overpowering you.
Mr. Sin has come for you, Mr. Sin a liar in the dark
You're being targeted by temptation, represented as 'Mr. Sin', who is luring you into darkness.
When you hear the call, it's much too late
Once you're already entangled in 'Mr. Sin's' web of seduction, it's hard to escape.
And see the eyes of a stranger
You'll be faced with unfamiliar, dangerous situations.
Welcome to you new world made of vices and vanities
You've entered a new realm filled with sins and worldly pleasures.
Silhouettes on floor are dancing down on your knees
You're overcome by the alluring nature of this new world and are losing control.
A private hell for perfect men with dirty games to play
This place is a personal hell for those who appear perfect but indulge in wicked activities.
Since the day she left your home
Your troubles may have originated from a past break-up.
You got the secret, got the fame and got the shame on you
You have gained success, but also carry hidden guilt and regret.
You lost the reason, alone you think back to times
You've lost sight of your motivations and now reminisce about past achievements that brought you happiness.
When you were fighting to live, fighting to live
In the past, you fought hard to survive and thrive.
But when you close you see
In moments of introspection, you realize that something is missing in your life.
Maybe there's someone missing you
You may be lacking meaningful connections with others and are in need of someone to care for you.
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.