The Ascent
by Secrets
[January 17, 2012 – Velocity Records / Rise Records]

Verdict: 6.5/10 (Stream It)
RIYL: Scream Out Loud, A Day to Remember, the Fall of Troy

Think of SECRETS’ debut the Ascent as a snowball rolling down a hillside. The opening “Genesis” opens the proceedings well enough, but as the Ascent progresses, it builds and grows with powerful waves of forceful swells and progressive breakdowns, most notably with the destructive back-to-back combo of “the Heartless Part” and “40 Below”, though the Ascent isn’t all such pomp and circumstance. SECRETS are a band at their very best when they kick things into a melodic gear and let their post-hardcore skills take center stage, as evidenced by popcore-esque tunes like “Somewhere in Hiding”, “Melodies” or “the Best You Can’t Be”, cuts that find the band flexing their dynamic muscles via soaring vocals and infectious hooks. Not to be overlooked are the production contributions of ex-A DAY TO REMEMBER guitarist Tom Denney, and you’ll see why as you make your way through this slate of songs. For a band that’s been together for around a year, the Ascent is a quality first offering and just a glimpse of what this promising San Diego quintet is capable of down the road.     -by Brian Campbell

Most Recommended Track: “The Heartless Part” – One of the heaviest tracks on the album, though it represents some of the albums better melodic hooks as well.
Studio Notes: Produced by ex-A Day to Remember guitarist Tom Denney
Release Date: January 17, 2012
In Conclusion: While it may be hard to pick Secrets and probably any song of this album out of a crowd full of their sonically cloned peers, still, the Ascent is worthy of at least a little bit of your time. Sure, the hallmarks of that mallcore type sound are here, but some of these songs are pretty damn good.

FOR A SECOND OPINION, CHECK OUT THIS REVIEW BY NICHOLAS SENIOR: http://lmpmagazine.com/2012/01/24/music-secrets-the-ascent-review/

AND A THIRD QUICKIE OPINION…
Verdict: 8.5/10
Apparently, out of the main staff writers here at LMP, I was the most impressed by this debut. However, is that really a surprise? I am, after all, the screamo fan of the staff. Any way, Secrets do a great job on The Ascent. While their ability to switch between brutal/intense to melodic/catchy isn’t something new to the scene, the band does it very well. As a result, there are plenty of great breakdowns and soaring choruses to be heard. Fans of screamo should really dig this, especially with the metalcore influences peppered throughout. Fans of the older Rise bands (those that really got the label popular) should certainly pick this one up without hesitation. — by Nathaniel Lay