Secret Rule pause album X hype to share their love for cats

Paws, Pets & Metal is Metal Insider’s ongoing column on bands with pets, discovering who watches them on the road, and more. Get to know more about these metal furbabies. We caught up with Italian symphonic metal outfit Secret Rule as they prepare to release their tenth album, X, later this year via Rockshots Records. In the meantime, vocalist Angela Di Vincenzo has shown a softer side of the group, sharing that while cats may not control the universe, they can at least find comfort in the band’s 2023 record, Uninverse.

Tell us more about your pet(s) and their names.

Since I was 20, pets have always been a part of my life. It all started with a small dog named Billy — black and white, and no bigger than my hand when I brought him home at just two months old. He was adorable! We were inseparable. He used to sleep in my bed, come with me on long walks at the beach, and would even ride beside me in the car through the city.

After Billy, I welcomed my first cat, Bilbo — named after Bilbo Baggins. We shared a very special bond. I adopted him when I moved out on my own and needed a companion to share daily life with. Sadly, when he was around seven years old, he disappeared. I searched for him for two years. People often contacted me, thinking they’d found him, but it was never him. Eventually, I saw an ad for kittens, and when I went to meet them, I found two little sisters. My heart couldn’t bear to separate them, so I took both. I named them Posi and Nega, after the two alien cats from the anime Magical Angel Creamy Mami — a show about a girl dreaming of becoming a singer (maybe that sounds a little familiar? ).

Posi and Nega were always together — full of love for each other and for me. Unfortunately, a few years ago, Posi escaped from the garden and was later found dead. She will always live on in my heart, alongside Billy and Bilbo.

Nega was devastated and became very withdrawn. After about a year, I brought home a new cat — my sweet red boy Leo. He’s probably the most genuine, kind-hearted cat I’ve ever known. Even though Nega didn’t accept him at first and treated him poorly, he stayed patient and loving. Eventually, she softened — not as much as she was with her sister, but still, it was progress.

Last year, Nega fell ill. After several epileptic seizures, we discovered a fast-growing brain tumor. The surgery was risky and expensive, but I decided to go for it. Thankfully, everything went well and she made a full recovery. I’m deeply grateful to all my fans and friends who supported me through a crowdfunding campaign — without them, I wouldn’t have been able to cover the veterinary costs. That love and support meant the world.

Have you ever taken your pet on tour?

No — cats don’t like change, and it would be impossible to manage them on tour. Even though I’d love to have them with me, I know they’re much more comfortable at home. I definitely miss them a lot when I’m on the road.

Who looks after your pets while you’re on the road?

Through a Facebook group for cat lovers, I found a wonderful girl in Rome who takes care of my pets while I’m away. The best part? She’s also a metalhead and a singer! She even recorded the opera choirs for our songs “I Am” and “Disorder” from the Uninverse album. She’s incredibly sweet with my cats and sends me daily videos of them, which really helps me feel close to them even when I’m far away.

What’s your pet’s favorite song or album?

When I was driving Nega to and from the vet during her recovery, I used to play our Uninverse album to help calm her down. It actually worked! She would relax while the music played. As for Leo, I haven’t noticed any particular song that stands out to him — maybe he enjoys them all equally .

How did you introduce your pets to metal?

I listen to metal at home, so… they really don’t have a choice! They’ve just had to grow up with it!

What animal charity means the most to you?

There are so many incredible animal charities doing essential work, but during my experience with Nega’s illness, I came across the Animal Cancer Foundation. Their mission — to fund research in comparative oncology and advance treatments for both pets and people — really resonated with me. They’re making a difference by working to better understand cancer across species, and I think that’s not only compassionate, but also incredibly important for future progress. You can learn more about their work at acfoundation.org.