D-Tension & The Secrets Pivot from Hip Hop to Rock on Debut Album

The band’s origin story traces back to a pandemic lockdown and an unexpected win in an Instagram guitar contest. D-Tension, who had spent his career producing for artists like Slug of Atmosphere and Blackalicious, used the isolation to master the Fender Jazzmaster through YouTube tutorials. By 2021, he had transitioned from a novice to a recorded musician, drafting veterans like Brian Viglione of the Dresden Dolls and Craig Silverman of Agnostic Front for his initial projects.

Following the formation of The Secrets in Lowell, Massachusetts, and a stint in the Rock & Roll Rumble, the project evolved into a full-band endeavor. The lead single, “Hate To See You Go,” serves as the record's emotional anchor. Written to honor friends and figures lost during the pandemic, the track avoids traditional mourning, instead adopting the raucous energy of Boston’s Irish punk scene to celebrate lives cut short. The rest of the album, including tracks like “Banned” and “Crime Spree,” cycles through dark humor and hard rock, establishing the group as a serious force in the regional music scene. D-Tension, a 2024 New England Music Hall of Fame inductee, views the shift as a natural extension of his musical identity, marking a departure from his previous urban music accolades.