Now, don’t roll your eyes. I know that the female-fronted symphonic metal scene has become crowded in recent years. However, of all the up-and-coming bands of this kind, Diabulus in Musica is the most promising. This 4-year-old band has a potent, fearless take on the genre. You’ll hear the expected choir and string arrangements, gothic undertones, and male/female vocal duality on "Secrets." However, you’ll also hear some bold, highly skilled musicianship. The aggressive guitar work, dynamic piano playing, and wide array of drumming techniques are elements that are normally performed by more experienced bands. Singer Zuberoa Aznárez is delightful as Diabulus in Musica’s front woman. She uses a wide variety of singing styles, but mostly her gentle "normal" voice and her mature soprano. All this, combined with two "extreme" male vocalists (keyboardist/grunter Gorka Elso, and guitarist/screamer Adrián Vallejo) and several guest performers from Spain’s classical music scene, makes "Secrets" a delicious aural feast.

It comes as no surprise that "Secrets" is packed with energy, variety, and musical hooks and risks. The opening romp "Come to Paradise" sets the bar high with great interplay between Zuberoa’s tender voice, Gorka’s growls, and the lively strings and choir. "Nocturnal Flowers" cruises along with memorable melodies, while "New Era" is confident with its military-march beat, cosmic keyboards, a string-soaked chorus, and the choir chanting, "New era is here waiting for me." The searing "Lies in Your Eyes" and the Middle-East-influenced "Ishtar" are also quite good. The only up-tempo track that’s too chaotic and difficult to listen to is titled "Beyond Infinity," with its rapid-fire drumming and jarring changes in time signature.

Diabulus in Musica truly hits its stride with its longest songs. Soprano singer Maite Inoiz joins Zuberoa for lead vocals on "The Forest of Ashes." This track tricks you into thinking it will be a ballad, but the soft music-box intro quickly gives way to punchy riffs, blast-beat drums, and whirring, wraithlike background noises that make your hair stand on end. Then, once you think you’ve heard everything that Diabulus in Musica has to offer, there is the magnum opus closer "St. Michael’s Nightmare." This thrilling rollercoaster ride takes all of the elements heard thus far on "Secrets," blender-mixes them with some cabaret and the ominous weight of doomsday, and bursts everywhere with magnificence. It’s so unpredictable; you’ll listen to it again and again to relive each twist and turn.

There are only a few stumbling points on "Secrets," namely with the simpler and slower songs. "Lonely Soul" is a pretty piece of vocal and piano technique that only skims the surface of the sadness and longing in its lyrics. As for the mid-tempo "Under the Shadow (Of a Butterfly)," it’s a pleasant change of pace but lacks a catchy hook and never quite lifts off. That’s kind of a shame, since Zuberoa’s lyrics talk about freedom and encouragement: "You can do all that you want / It’s not only a dream / Why don’t you break / Your crystal wall?"

But, in all honesty, these flaws are trivial when evaluating "Secrets" as a whole. Diabulus in Musica’s debut is not watered-down or gimmicky symphonic metal, but an exciting and breath-taking musical experience. Every element, from the skilled instrumentation and intricate songwriting to the richly textured and balanced sound, blows all expectation out of the water. Most female-fronted bands can only hope to achieve this result after years of honing their talent. With "Secrets," however, Diabulus in Musica has defied the odds in masterful fashion and with few mistakes. This band may very well be the future of female-fronted symphonic metal.

8.5 / 10

Best Songs: "St. Michael’s Nightmare," "Nocturnal Flowers," "New Era"

Highly recommended for fans of Epica, After Forever, Whyzdom, or other female-fronted symphonic metal bands.

"Secrets" is available for purchase in the Sonic Cathedral Store.