Album Review — Secret Society (2006) — Europe
Secret Society is the seventh studio album by Swedish rock band Europe, released on October 20, 2006, via Sanctuary Records. Following their 2004 comeback album Start from the Dark, this record continues the band’s modern hard rock direction, blending heavier riffs, darker tones, and melodic hooks while showcasing the classic Europe lineup.
The album reflects a band comfortable in their evolved sound, confident in balancing aggressive rock, melodic choruses, and guitar-driven arrangements. Secret Society also emphasizes lyrical themes of personal freedom, rebellion, and introspection, making it a mature follow-up to their comeback.
πΆ Tracklist
-
Secret Society – 4:13
-
Always the Pretenders – 3:48
-
The Beast – 3:41
-
Come Down – 4:02
-
A Man and a Woman – 3:46
-
Forever Travelling – 4:28
-
Stormwind – 3:45 (re-recorded version from 1984’s Wings of Tomorrow)
-
Got to Have Faith – 4:06 (remastered from 2004)
-
The Final Countdown 2006 – 5:10 (bonus in some editions)
-
North in the Night – 4:12
-
Always the Pretenders (Acoustic Version) – 4:15 (bonus track)
Total length: ~46:30
Hit singles:
-
Always the Pretenders – first single, melodic yet hard-hitting
-
Secret Society – album opener, heavy riffs and powerful chorus
-
Forever Travelling – slower, emotional track showing band’s melodic sensibilities
π§π€ Album Credits
-
Artist: Europe
-
Title: Secret Society
-
Released: October 20, 2006
-
Label: Sanctuary Records
-
Producer: Europe & Kevin Shirley
Band Members:
-
Joey Tempest – vocals, keyboards
-
John Norum – guitar
-
John LevΓ©n – bass
-
Ian Haugland – drums
-
Mic Michaeli – keyboards
Additional Musicians:
-
Guest musicians provided additional keyboards and backing vocals to enhance layered production.
πΈ Musical Style & Highlights
Secret Society continues Europe’s modern hard rock trajectory, blending:
-
Hard-hitting riffs: Guitar-driven tracks like Secret Society and The Beast demonstrate John Norum’s aggressive playing style.
-
Melodic hooks: Tracks like Always the Pretenders and Forever Travelling retain Europe’s signature melodic sensibilities, balancing the heavier sound.
-
Polished production: Kevin Shirley’s production ensures a full, radio-ready sound, modern yet still true to Europe’s rock roots.
-
Re-recordings: Stormwind revisits the classic Wings of Tomorrow era, now with heavier guitar tones and updated production, showing the band’s ability to blend past and present.
Highlights include:
-
Secret Society – powerful opener, modern hard rock anthem
-
Always the Pretenders – melodic single with arena-ready chorus
-
Forever Travelling – emotional ballad with soaring vocals
π Reception & Commercial Performance
-
Secret Society received generally positive reviews, praised for:
-
Modernizing Europe’s sound without losing identity
-
Tight performances and strong songwriting
-
John Norum’s guitar work and Joey Tempest’s vocals
-
-
The album performed well in Sweden and Europe, reestablishing the band as relevant players in the modern hard rock scene.
-
While not a global commercial hit like 1980s releases, it strengthened Europe’s touring appeal, with several tracks featured in live performances.
π Fun Facts & Trivia
-
Band-produced: Europe co-produced the album with Kevin Shirley, giving them full creative control.
-
Revisiting classics: Stormwind was re-recorded from 1984’s Wings of Tomorrow, modernized for 2006 audiences.
-
Modernized arena rock: The album combines heavier guitar riffs and darker tones with Europe’s melodic arena-rock foundation.
-
Touring impact: Songs from Secret Society became staples of Europe’s 2006–2007 tour setlists, signaling the band’s continued vitality.
-
Fan reception: Longtime fans appreciated the blend of classic melodic elements with a modern rock edge, bridging old and new Europe eras.
π‘ Did You Know?
-
Joey Tempest has stated that the album’s title, Secret Society, reflects themes of individual freedom, resistance, and personal empowerment.
-
Always the Pretenders was inspired by modern societal pressures and personal integrity, making it one of the album’s most meaningful tracks.
-
The album reinforced Europe’s new musical identity post-comeback, balancing legacy sound with contemporary hard rock influences.
Conclusion
Secret Society solidifies Europe’s reestablished presence in the 2000s rock scene, blending heavier riffs, melodic hooks, and polished production. With standout tracks like Secret Society, Always the Pretenders, and Forever Travelling, the album showcases a band confident in their modernized sound while remaining faithful to their melodic rock roots.
It is an essential listen for fans of Europe’s post-comeback era, demonstrating that the band can evolve with the times without losing their identity.