TIME MACHINE: Hidden Secrets

One thing you definitely cannot accuse TIME MACHINE of is not to release enough stuff for the fans. If you add everything together, then we have three full albums, five mini CDs and this double CD best of named "Hidden Secrets". As it is a compilation of their best tracks, including previously unreleased material, live recordings, re-mastered versions and lost studio songs, I think that it is befitting, if I do the same and go back into the history of TIME MACHINE a little. Back in 1992 Lorenzo Deho' and Ivan Oggioni formed TIME MACHINE and after first line-up changes released the EP "Project: Time Scanning" in 1993 with Andrea Ruggeri (formerly with MOON OF STEEL) on the vocals, thus becoming one of the very first Italian bands in ages to get known internationally. Next up was another EP, "Dungeons Of The Vatican", limited to a Japan release only, then followed by the first full album, "Act II: Galileo". It was the first one to feature Folco Orlandini behind the microphone and is a masterpiece of Progressive Rock/Metal. Then Folco went and Morby came, with him TIME MACHINE release the EP "Shades Of Time" and soon he leaves as well, making space for Nick Fortarezza. The second full album "Eternity Ends" is recorded with him on the microphone, to be followed by the two MCDs "Secret Oceans Part 1 & 2", the latter of which also featured ANGRA (now SHAMAN) singer Andre Matos on the track "I Believe Again". After this one, "Hidden Secrets", TIME MACHINE went to Pino Tozzi as singer, so you see, there has been a lot going on, especially in the vocal sector…
Anyways, on "Hidden Secrets" we are treated with songs off almost all releases (before 2000, of course), and even though you hear some stylistic differences and evolutions, everything is absolutely and completely TIME MACHINE. Always in the middle between Progressive Rock and Metal, the Italians manage to perfectly walk the tightrope between demand and accessibility, shifting moods and atmospheres as well as intensity, combining calm and almost fragile passages with crunchy guitars and some pounding drums, plus, of course, keyboards. And the truly beautifully made booklet brings us the lyrics plus the different line ups of TIME MACHINE and also liner notes for each track, what was special about it and/or the version to be found on this 2-CD, which is highly interesting to read for sure!
So "Hidden Secrets" (with both CDs at the price of 1) holds a great appeal to both long time fans of the band and newcomers and is a worthy anthology of one of the top bands of the genre of this time, even though far less people actually know them… That should change… Really! (Online May 28, 2003) --- Alex

Tracks
CD --- 1
1. Riots in The Colonies 753 A.C.
2. Stargazer
3. I Hold the Key (Into the Void)
4. Eternity Ends
5. Silent Revolution
6. Behind the Cross
7. I Believe Again
8. 1.000 Rainy Nights
9. Falling Star (Mixing) I The Subversive Nazare
10. Past and Future
11. Mother
12. Dungeons of the Vatican
13. White Collars

CD --- 2
1. Will You Remember
2. Burning in the Wind
3. Desert of Souls
4. Sphynx (The Witness)
5. New Religion
6. I Hold the Key
7. Prisoner of Dreams
8. Never-Ending Love
9. Virgin of the Temple
10. Love Without Sin Part I
11. Obscure Medieval Lady
12. Earth's Dawn (History)
13. Hidden Pain

links
http://sharebee.com/1a7b82fd
http://sharebee.com/e638a03e
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