There are several ECHELONs on this planet. One of them is a pure Death Metal band. Well, you can rest in peace, as this one definitely isn't. this is Power Metal from back to front. These guys have been with us since 2003, and released their first EP "War Of Worlds" in 2004. They disbanded is 2006, but kept in touch. After they lost one of the original members in 2015, they were in two minds what to do, and eventually they decided to get back together again. Three of the original members are the heart of current ECHELON. That explains why we have had to wait another 14 years before the second was let out, which was the 2018 release "Libewar". And now, another four years down the road, they have decided to enthral us with their first full-length attempt "Secret Power".

The question I am asking myself is why, though. Although musically ECHELON is okay, there isn't anything new in their sound, it's all very plain sailing. That in itself is not a problem, but it is if all the music you put out is nothing above average, doesn't have the staying power or stamina you would like to hear. The songs in themselves are forgotten as soon as they are finished. What will stay in your mind's eye are the vocals. George Katsouris and Irene Agathou aren't bad singers, but they are very limited. When they sing in their normal voices, they sound quite alright, and even the harmonies sound more than acceptable.

No, the problem lies when they try to lift their voices by an octave or more. That's when you hear their flaws, insecurities and even unevenness in tones. Just listen to opening song "Forsaken Angel", when the harmonies start your eardrums wished they were somewhere else, your teeth fillings are trying to escape and your headphones spontaneously try to combust, just to try and avoid any more of this onslaught, or should I say, abuse. So, please, folks, do us the honour of keeping your voices low. Personally, I blame the producer. He should have been the one to show them his bleeding eardrums and tell them to tone it down. But by the result that I am listening to on "Secret Power" I guess he hasn't done that. Like I said before, the music of ECHELON is alright, and makes up for those very embarrassing moments.