Secret Rule – ‘X’ Album review

Symphonic Metal

Rockshots Records

Released – October 24^th 2025

Review by Smudge Smith

I was lucky enough to have caught Secret Rule at this year’s Masters Of Rock festival. I had limited knowledge of them, but they truly played a blinder, so I asked our esteemed editor if I could be sent their new record to review, not something I tend to do (can I have the new Exodus when you get it, please, boss?). Also, I wasn’t really a fan of the symphonic metal, but these guys really opened my ears, along with the likes of Battle Beast.

Kicking off with a right banger, ‘The Answer’ (what was the question?), they give us some real melodic metal and immediately show the vocal talents of Angela De Vincenzi and the fluid fingers of Andy Menarini. ‘Walking Down The Street’ brings a jagged chugging riff and a bouncy rhythm under some sweet keys that combine to give you a Doro-like fist pumper before the modern metal majesty of ‘In The Silence’, which raises the goosebumps effortlessly. ‘Echoes Of The Earth’ is moodier with another wonderful crunchy riff and melody. ‘Eternal Symphony’ is a slow dramatic burn driven by Sofia Basili’s bass, and just get to the chorus, which is absolutely immense. Things get going on the rapid ‘Silent Pain’ before the synth-soaked ‘Collapse’, and then we get a sugary dual vocal power ballad on ‘Lost In Paradise’. The darker ‘Destiny Reloaded’ is epic and powerful before the metallic ‘Just A Sacrifice’ grooves like a big bad bastard. Final cut ‘The Storm’ brings things to a mighty close with another world-class dark rocker.

I was impressed by Secret Rule’s live performance, and now I’m impressed with this, their tenth album. There is so much to hear on this that every time I play it, there’s something else to discover. Superb songs that are beautifully crafted, expert musicianship, big riffs and catchy melodies. Add a crystal-clear production that is warm and powerful, and you have the whole entire package.

Track List –

The Answer

Walking Down The Street

In The Silence

Echoes Of The Earth

Eternal Symphony

Silent Rain

Collapse

Lost In Paradise

Destiny Reloaded

Just A Sacrifice

The Storm