DARK SECRET are a five piece metal band from Cleveland that formed when they solidified the lineup in 2020. Guitarist Mark Shea and bassist Al Wojtonek have been together since 2017. Packing a punch and making noise, the band quickly gained favor with audiences. In 2021 DARK SECRET won the title “Ohio’s Most Metal Band” in a battle of the bands competition, and also released a five song EP. They are a high energy full metal assault with thundering drums and blistering guitars. DARK SECRET are out with their debut full length album, “Mind Pollution. “Nephilim” is the lead off track. It starts with a slow haunting bass riff and vocals. At this point, they kind of reminded me of Queensryche. However, once the band kicks in, that comparison ends. The band comes in with full throttle metal riffs and thundering double bass drums. The vocals, which were low for the intro, now are higher and are great. Certain lines are punctuated with gang vocals at the start of the line.

“Patriarchs Of Science” sounds like it was inspired by Megadeth. It starts with an odd offbeat rhythm riff, that is almost a metal funk riff. While it’s hard to describe how it sounds, it really adds flavor to the music. Once the song gets going, it’s filled with more great metal riffs. The rhythm is complex, the drumming intense, and the vocals are incredible. “Dirty War” kicks off with a great metal riff, with drums punctuating the start of the riff. The band continues to shine, showcasing great fast riffs and great guitar leads. The song shifts pace just before the solo, going into a slow half-time feel and cleaner guitars. Then it ramps up again for the solo. The intro to “Love Runs Deep” has a nice lead riff repeated a few times, with the band coming in on the beats. While the music is fast and heavy, the vocals feel more like it's just a rock tune. The chorus has some nice gang backing vocals.

“Silence” is the last track on the album and is different from all the previous tracks in the way it starts. It starts slow, with clean guitars that have an echo or chorus on them. It has a great electric melodic lead over it. It gets heavy on the pre chorus, then light again. You would be wrong if you thought this was a metal ballad. At about the three and a half minute mark, it gets super heavy and fast. Stylistically, this is more like Metallica’s “Sanitarium” with the way it builds. The vocals go really high, as he screams out “Silence” and this song is anything but silent. DARK SECRET brings the metal. The band is fast, heavy and tight with some incredibly great vocals. “Mind Pollution” is filled with great riffs and thunderous drumming. Look for this band to make noise and explode on the metal scene.