Music Style death metal

Musical Influences ethno motifs and death/doom metal groups

Similar Artists none

Artist History Biography: The SECRET SOUTH was founded in Ljubuski (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 1996 by brothers Gordan and Ivan Stojic who were at the same time the driving force behind the band, and remain so today. Their love for Metal tunes was the flame that kept the fire burning. At the beginning their repertoire consisted of the song treatment of trash metal bands. In the first phase of band's being, the band tried to raise the level of art interpretation by copying bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura, Pantera and others. Finally, gigs were played in the neighborhood and met by enthusiastic crowds. In the meantime, they continued with countless hours of practice and gradually transited to harder tunes by listening to the death metal bands: Dismember, Bolt Thrower, Carcass, Amorphis, as well as the doom bands: Anathema and My Dying Bride. However, the real period of the band began in 2000, when they started writing their own songs. That was when they discovered their unique style. It is interesting to note that their own expression was not a product of the influence of other bands but something completely spontaneous and sincere, colored by sounds of climate from which they come from. Uncompromisingly fierce and morbid music completed with ethnic motifs of their region creates dramatic atmosphere, full of unexpected subversions as how life always looked like in their environment which had been devastated by war. In the center of their lyrics is critism toward war delusions and normal man's failure to adapt in that nightmare. All that is accompanied by their metal-HC tunes version in which their personal pride emerges. Then, they presented their style by live performances in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Dubrovnik (Croatia), as well as the metal-festival in Vrgorac (Croatia) and "Idemo 2" festival in Zagreb (Croatia). They received critical acclaim for those performances in the magazine "United Forces". The band faced difficulties in work when Gordan and Ivan had to leave Ljubuski where they lived as refugees. On their return to Mostar they continued practicing with the band despite the fact that other band members lived on different locations. In the summer 2001, SECRET SOUTH recorded their first promo material with the following members of the band: Gordan Stojic (bass and vocals), Ivan Stojic (guitar and vocals), Sasa Vukosav (drums) and Jure Jurkovic (vocals). Promo CD is recorded in the studio of "Pavarotti Music Center" in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and this release is entiled "PIECES OF FAITH". The release contained four songs written by Gordan and composed jointly with his brother Ivan: 1. Tear the shroud down 2. Alone 3. Ghost 4. Pieces of faith After recording the band sent its material to different radio stations in the world, and the audience reaction on new promo CD was really excellent. Soon after they got good reviews on Internet sites and the metal magazine "United Forces" which is published in Zagreb (Croatia). At the moment, the band is in pursuit of a publishing house.

Group Members GORDAN STOJIC (bass/vocals) IVAN STOJIC (lead guitar) VEDRAN PAZULj (drums) ZELjKO DALMATIN (guitar) DANIJEL RASPUDIC (lead vocals)

Instruments guitar, bass, drum, vocals

Albums pieces of faith

Press Reviews 1. SECRET SOUTH - "Pieces of Faith" December 2001 | Released: 2001, Independent | Rating: 3.25/5 | Reviewer: Rick - I have heard of many different bands from many different places but this is the first time that I have heard of a band from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The band was formed in 1996 by brothers Gordan and Ivan Stojic and Gojko Bosnjak. This is an area of the world where it can not be very easy to start a band. In 1992, the Stojic brothers had to leave Mostar because of war happenings and end up in Ljubuski as refugees. Even though their brand of music was not accepted they stuck to their guns and returned to Mostar in 2000 where their music was met with enthusiastic crowds. But on returning to Mostar they lost drummer Bosnjak. They soon added Sasa Vukosav: drums and Jure Jurkovic on lead vocals. Pieces of Faith is an EP which has 4 songs which were composed by Gordan. "Tear The Shroud Down" starts off very serene and melodic but quickly kicks into high gear pretty quickly. The music of Secret South is hard to pin down right away but it is a hybrid of hardcore with some thrash overtones along with some melodic passages. At times the band even introduces, what is almost chanting. Very interesting. "Alone" continues with the background chants and is my favourite and probably the best song on the CD. The CD closes with the title track. The EP closes out with the title track. This song has an early Machine Head feel to it. Very good song. Bosnia is not the first place that comes to mind when thinking of the hotbeds of metal. Well It seems that Secret South wants to change that. Its hard to get a Cd produced at the best of times but when you are in the middle of a war it must be nearly impossible to work on your music. Secret South have succeeded in creating a disc that showcases their talents while at the same time gives a hint of what they might be capable of in the future. web site: www.metal-rules.com 2. SECRET SOUTH - 4 Track EP Pieces of Faith This band from Bosnia, has lived through the war, even having to leave their home town of Mostar and ended up as refugees, before being able to return in 2000. But their love for metal music and tireless hours of practise bring us this 4 Track EP Pieces of Faith. The quality of the recording and production is OK, but the quality of the songs soon make you forget the sound which could have been better. Secret South deliver a strait in your face power metal and hardcore like you would want to hear more often. The 4 tracks are all killer tracks. Alone adds to the power metal riffs and hate breeded vocals, background oriental vocals and oriental guitar playing which makes the whole piece one original great piece of metal. The track Ghost on the other hand is definitely a strait foward metal hit, I could easely imagine this song htting top positios in the metal charts, any day. To summarise, this band rocks and I wish they can get a full length album out very soon. Exceptionally I give them a 4 skull mark for the songs, not taking into account the quality of the recording. If I had done so it would have been down to 3 skulls. web site: www.pirateradio.fr.fm 3. HEAVY METAL AT ITS BEST-review of Secret South First off it's amazing that anyone from Bosnia and Herzegovina would even want to play anykind of music seeing how that country has been destroyed by war..none the less Secret South deserves alot of credit knowing how poor that country is and how hard it is to make it in the music field. But Secret South seems to have a burning to make it to the big time. And quess what not only are they good I bet within the next two years Secret South will be touring here in America. However I have to admit I'm not a real big fan of Death Metal. There no Iron Maiden, Pantera, AC/DC. But when I listen to Secret South I can't help wanting to listen over and over. So now that I have heard them Death Metal isn't as bad as I thought. Aceshigh gives Secret South 3 1/2 Stars out of 5.... I encourage you to e-mail Secret South and request a Free Copy of Pieces of Faith...... www.heavy-metal-at-its-best.com

Location Mostar, Herzegovina - Bosnia

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