POVERTY’S NO CRIME – A Secret to Hide

7.5/10

POVERTY'S NO CRIME - A Secret to Hide - 7.5/10

7.5/10

Summary

Metalville Records
Release date: May 14, 2021

[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.

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The Backstory

A Secret to Hide is the eighth studio album by the Germany-based Prog act Poverty’s No Crime. The album is being released in concurrence with the group’s 30th anniversary.

[Read our Volker Walsemann interview HERE]

The Album

A 2 minute mix of pounding drums, lush keyboards, and lavish guitar work leads the way on the thought-provoking opener “Supernatural.” The song is more music than words, but the band really show off their chops here. You are sure to take notice of some of the unique percussive elements in the background of “Hollow Phrases.” The keyboards have a soft organ tone to them, giving the track a bit of a ’70s vibe. Marco Ahrens and Volker Walsemann’s fiery guitar work run rampant on “Flesh and Bone.”

“Within the Veil” slows the tempo down slightly, as Walsemann delves into self-doubt and being appreciative for what you have accomplished. Split-personalities is the theme of “Schizophrenic.” As the protagonist struggles with his disorder, you can hear the desperation and stress within Walsemann’s vocal delivery. The 10 minute epic “In the Shade,” takes a darker tone as it closes out the album.

The Verdict

A Secret to Hide is a safe, by-the-numbers ProgMetal album. Don’t look at that statement as a negative. There are plenty of bands in the genre that would love to be as good as Poverty’s No Crime. There’s not too much diversity musically or melody wise from track-to-track, but the musician’s tones and grooves so damn good there doesn’t need to be. Even with most songs clocking in at over 6 minutes, they’ll never lose your attention.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at 0600 & 1800 (CET) / 12 am & 12 pm (EST) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

Tracklist

Supernatural
Hollow Phrases
Flesh and Bone
Grey to Green
Within the Veil
The Great Escape
Schizophrenic
In the Shade

Poverty’s No Crime is

Volker Walsemann – Vocals/Guitar
Marco Ahrens – Guitars
Heiko Spaarmann – Bass
Jörg Springub – Keyboards
Andreas Tegeler – Drums

Author

George Dionne

George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015. Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.
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