Germany’s Poverty’s No Crime, released their new album, A Secret To Hide, in February. Perfect timing to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
The band, Poverty’s No Crime, is made up of members: Volker Walsemann, on vocals and guitar; Marco Ahrens, on guitars; Heiko Spaarmann, on bass; Jörg Springub, on keyboards; and Andreas Tegeler, on drums.
Thirty years of experience in the business truly shows up early on this amazing album. “Supernatural”, is a spectacular opener full of bravado on guitars and drums. The keyboards are also amazing. Volker Walsemann’s vocals are very good but not distinctive enough to separate him from the many Dream Theater – like bands out there. I really like their sound, because I have been a Dream Theater fan for years.
“Hollow Phrases”, is another stand-out song. Especially for the smashing drums and those Rush’ “Trees”, percussion sounds. “Flesh and Bone”, has excellent atmospherics and classic organ sounds which are a nice surprise. “Grey to Green”, has more dark, stellar keyboards and powerful guitar riffs a plenty. That marching Rush’ “Countdown” cadence is perfect. “Within the Veil”, has some great lyrics about battling time, and making the most of it. “The Great Escape”, is a perfect journey of magical keys and heavy metal bass and guitars. The lifting lead electric guitars would make Dream Theater jealous. A wonderful instrumental journey for all. The acoustic guitar at the end is perfect. With a track title like, “Schizophrenic”, what were you expecting? They add some flute sounds to vary the sound. The Frampton – like wah, wah peddle sound of the guitars was very cool. “In the Shade”, brings out the best vocals, on the closer, for Volker Walsemann. A solid finish to a solid album.
Lead vocalist and band spokesman, Volker Walsemann, says of A Secret To Hide, “With this album we want to give courage and self-confidence to all people in these difficult times,” (The lyrics were written at the beginning of lockdown, from the Pandemic of 2020). “Lyrically, I process what I wouldn’t say to anyone else like that, but can say through the music: My inner attitude towards life.”
Poverty’s No Crime, and neither is great music, created in the mold of Dream Theater. This band has everything it needs. They are super capable, as the 30 years of success prove. The only thing missing is a sound of their own. The music is original, no doubt, and so are the lyrics. Maybe adding a female or guest vocalist for some songs, or adding to the instrumentation with orchestra, gongs, pipe organ, or other percussion and atmospherics. It is great music, just too common. That being said, I recommend this album.
Band Discography:
2021 A Secret To Hide (Metalville); 2016 Spiral Of Fear (Metalville); 2007 Save My Soul (InsideOut); 2003 The Chemical Chaos (InsideOut); 2001 One In A Million (InsideOut); 1999 Slave To The Mind (InsideOut); 1996 The Autumn Years (Noise Records); 1995 Symbiosis (Noise Records); 1994 Perfect Wings (Demo); 1993 My Favourite Delusion (Demo)
Track List:
- Supernatural – 8:01
- Hollow Phrases – 6:15
- Flesh and Bone – 7:09
- Grey to Green – 8:46
- Within the Veil – 6:10
- The Great Escape – 6:09
- Schizophrenic – 6:13
- In the Shade – 10:13
http://www.povertys-no-crime.de/
https://www.facebook.com/povertysnocrime
https://www.facebook.com/povertysnocrime/
Poverty’s No Crime – Official Website of the German Progressive Metal band
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2rapx14ZjrnzJu1UVMERVg