“Secrets Within” is the second album on Lion Music from Francesco Fareri and follows on from his first release “Forbidden Dimension”. The new album contains two contrasting sides of Francesco’s musical vision and is quite different from his first album.

Of the album Francesco comments, “ I believe this album to be the best material I’ve ever released and the one that best represents me. This album is really introspective and very important for me, it was inspired from the experience of the impossible things that have happened in the last few years and also from day to day experiences. This isn’t a guitar album, as I wanted all the instruments to have the same importance in every song. I paid a lot of attention and care whilst recording all the instruments”.

The album sees Francesco teaming up with a wealth of virtuoso musicians in Kyle Honea on bass and Lucrezio de Seta on drums. On these musicians contributions Francesco states,” The experience and confidence of players like Kyle and Lucrezio improved then songs because they understood exactly what I wanted to record and they played with their style but focused on my main ideas. They are the best rhythm section I have ever heard!”

“Secrets Within” is made up of two movements sub titled,” Into The Dark Line” which is the heavy part of the album and “Out Of The dark Line” which is more delicate and introspective.

The album clocks in at a mighty one hour and twelve minutes so there is plenty of music to sink ones teeth into.

“Into The Dark Line” is made up of nine sections and opens with the fast and pacey “Secrets Within”. This is full on shred guitar played at blinding speed and accuracy. Francesco goes from one end of his fret board to the other at the speed of light and locks horns with some great keyboard phrases. There is a bewildering amount of harmony guitar on show here with textures that I have rarely encountered.

“Circle” is another fast song with some insane sweep picked lines, which defy belief. The nice thing about this track is that the keyboard features as a strong melody instrument which means when the guitars go off in to shred territory they just sound more devastating.

“Lies” has an angry sort of vibe about it and some incredible rhythm changes. The guitar soloing is jaw dropping and of the highest quality. Tapped and sweep picked passages leave the listener in shock. The last time I felt this way was when I first heard Rusty Cooley and guitarists all know what a shred god he is. Amongst all the fireworks there is a lot of melody to this track.

“Sonic Garden” is a tapped piece using a technique similar to what Joe Satriani employs on his track “Midnight”. It gives the listener a short breather before the chaos that is “Waves” kicks in.” Waves” uses light and dark and tension and release to great effect. When the shredding starts it is fast, furious and insane. Every technique that a shredder can use is shown to great effect on this track.

“Destiny” is all about melody and even has a mid tempo feel to it. The drama is provided by some great keyboard work and overall it’s the keyboard, which drives this track rather than guitars showing that Francesco has his eye on composition as well as phenomenal guitar playing. The track however does explode with a shred solo midway through and goes for it all the way to the end.

“Liquid World” is frantic and furious. Its heads down and shred form start to finish. Bob Katsionis gives us a keyboard solo and Kyle Honea sounds almost Billy Sheehan like with some great tapped and hammered runs on the bass.

“Present Glow” is an awesome display of tapped and hammered technique and shows how far musicians have taken this style.

“Scenes” is a song, which feels very progressive and melodic all at the same time. It almost feels like it is tying all the tracks that have come before together. Compositionally it is sophisticated and the time changes are mesmerising.

“Parallel Lives” is the opening track from the second movement of the album “Out Of The Dark Line”. This second half of the album is completely different in feel as to what has come before as it focuses entirely on keyboard and acoustic playing.” Parallel Lives” is delicate and introspective and is a piece of music which one feels has truly been composed in the real sense of the word.” Wood Of Silence” and “Masquerade” at times reminded me of the keyboard playing of Michael Nyman in the way there are repeated phrases used to great effect. ”Undefined”, ”Seasons” and “Secret World” bring the album to a peaceful close.

This album sonically sounds impressive as each instrument is given plenty of room to cut through he mix, nothing sounds buried. Compositionally it is very sophisticated and needs a few listens to start really getting under the skin. I’ve often found that is a good sign as some of my favourite albums are those that didn’t quite “make sense” until I had let them sink in to my consciousness. For guitar players who like to hear guitar played to the extreme this album is a must. Fransesco’s playing puts him well and truly in the elite of shred experts and many students of the genre will listen to his playing and tremble in fear. He really is that good.

Overall this album did take a few spins to really reward and perseverance will pay off anyone who gives this album their time.

Let us know your views on 'Secrets Within'

Track Listing

Into the Dark Line
7:41 - Secrets Within
8:11 - Circle
6:40 - Lies
2:33 - Sonic Garden
6:42 - The Waves
6:23 - Destiny
6:35 - Liquid World
2:58 - Present Glow
8:46 – Scenes
Out of the Dark Line
2:49 - Parallel Lives
1:34 - Wood of Silence
3:35 - Masquerade
4:04 - Undefined
2:34 - Seasons
1:12 - Secret World

Line Up 

Francesco Fareri - Guitars/ Keys
Kyle Honea - Bass
Lucrezio de Seta - Drums