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.
Welcome to the circus
Secret Sphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see me passing by
I realize I've wasted too much time, too much time
You suffered too much, I can understand
Even though it's so hard to see and not to touch
Only to dream is so great when you're here with me
Welcome to the circus where it's time to play your game
And makes illusions, always, that shine in your eyes
Time has passing by, I wonder when
A minute will see us kissing
Hope you're thinking of me just as I do
We've been so weakened
You suffered too much, I can understand
Even though it's so hard to see and not to touch
Only to dream is so great when you're here with me
I know there is a chance for us, I know there is, yeah
Welcome to the circus where it's time to play your game
And makes illusions, always, that shine in your eyes
The lyrics of Secret Sphere's "Welcome to the Circus" has a melancholic feel to it that speaks of lost time and missed opportunities. The first stanza talks about seeing someone through the falling rain and realizing that too much time has been wasted. The singer also acknowledges that the other person has suffered too much, which he/she can understand despite being unable to touch or see.
The second stanza expresses the desire to be with the other person and hopes that they are thinking about the singer as well. The lyrics also touch on the fact that both of them have been weakened, possibly by the circumstances or hardships they have faced. The chorus "Welcome to the Circus" could be interpreted as an allegory of life where one must put on a show and play games to succeed. The illusions that shine in one's eyes could be the dreams or aspirations that drive them forward.
Overall, the song speaks of the need to take chances and not waste time, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. It highlights the importance of having hope and believing that there is a chance for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the falling rain I see your eyes
Despite the challenges and obstacles I face, I still see your presence and acknowledge your existence.
You see me passing by
You notice me, but perhaps we are not able to fully connect at this moment in time.
I realize I've wasted too much time, too much time
I am aware that I may have missed opportunities or neglected our relationship in the past, and I regret this.
You suffered too much, I can understand
I empathize with your past difficulties and pain.
Even though it's so hard to see and not to touch
It is difficult to feel the full extent of your pain when I am not physically present with you.
Only to dream is so great when you're here with me
When I am with you, even just in my dreams, it brings me great happiness and comfort.
I know there is a chance for us, I know there is, yeah
I believe that our relationship has the potential to flourish and succeed.
Welcome to the circus where it's time to play your game
You are entering a world where you have the power to control and navigate the events that occur.
And makes illusions, always, that shine in your eyes
This world gives rise to illusions and fantasies that can captivate and enchant you, even though they may not reflect reality.
Time has passing by, I wonder when
As time goes on, I become increasingly curious and uncertain about what the future holds for us.
A minute will see us kissing
I eagerly anticipate the moment when we will be able to share a physical connection with each other.
Hope you're thinking of me just as I do
I hope that you are also longing for and considering a future with me.
We've been so weakened
Our past struggles and experiences have left us vulnerable and perhaps less able to fully connect with each other.
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DOLORE
i love this band my favourite song is dance with the devil or set me free
George Rustic
ive always wanted to runaway and join the circus