Vision Divine – Blood And Angels’ Tears

Vision Divine
Blood And Angels’ Tears
Label: Scarlet Records
Out: September 20^th, 2024
Playing time: 49:42

Vision Divine are back for good once again delivering their unique, glorious and smooth progressive power metal.

These are the words of the press release for the new album “Blood And Angels’ Tears” by the Italian band Vision Divine. The band was founded back in 1998 in Massa (Tuscany, Italy) as a solo project by guitarist Olaf Thörsen. One year later, the line-up was complete. The band’s first singer was none other than Fabio Lione (e.g. Angra, Turilli / Lione Rhapsody, Labyrinth, Rhapsody of Fire). Eight studio albums have been released so far. The most recent (“When All the Heroes Are Dead”, 2019) was released five years ago. There was also a long break before that (“Destination Set to Nowhere”, 2012). The current album can therefore definitely be described as a comeback. Ray Alder (Fates Warning), Alessandro Conti (Twilight Force, Trick Or Treat) and AC Wild aka Alberto Emilio Contini (Bulldozer) can be heard as guest vocalists.

“War In Heaven” is probably more of an overlong intro than a regular song. After the start with electric piano and strings, you can hear orchestrally underlaid spoken words. “The Ballet Of Blood And Angels’ Tears” is probably the realisation of the album title. And the very first sounds are reminiscent of the bands from the Rhapsody universe. Fast guitar melodies, bombast, Double Bass attacks and with Ivan Giannini a singer who is a worthy successor to Fabio Lione. “Once Invincible” starts more quietly with clear acoustic-sounding guitars. But then the Italians want to set new speed records. At the beginning of “Drink Our Blood”, the keyboards take centre stage. Not much changes in terms of speed. But there are harsher vocal parts to be heard. One of the three guest singers is probably responsible for this. “When Darkness Comes” is a mixture of power ballad and metal anthem. It provides some variety. And is my favourite on the album. After the first synth sounds of “Preys”, the band switches back to high-speed mode, mainly thanks to the driving Double Bass and the fast riffs. “A Man On A Mission” is a contemplative piano/strings ballad. This is followed by the fast Metal anthem “Go East”. But with “The Broken Past”, the band switches back to high-speed Metal. With some hectic keyboard passages and guitar solos. After the industrial introduction, “Dice And Dancers” also gets going. Keyboard carpets can be heard again and again, fortunately only occasionally in the foreground. Drums and guitars dominate. Another power ballad, “Lost”, brings the album to an end.

Yes, on “Blood And Angels’ Tears” you can hear many quotes from the world of Rhapsody. But Vision Divine don’t make the mistake of completely copying these great Italian bands. On the contrary, the album offers a lot of variety, so that fans of other bands such as Labyrinth, Queensrÿche, Sanctuary, Savatage or Kamelot will also get their money’s worth.

Vision Divine – The Broken Past: https://youtu.be/DnBm0BYOFow?si=xKSmOCt8JNNv3wyz

Lineup:

Ivan Giannini – Vocals
Olaf Thorsen – Guitars
Federico Puleri – Guitars
Alessio Lucatti – Keyboards, Piano
Andrea ‘Tower’ Torricini – Bass
Matt Peruzzi – Drums

Tracklist:

• War In Heaven
• The Ballet Of Blood And Angels’ Tears
• Once Invincible
• Drink Our Blood
• When Darkness Comes
• Preys
• A Man On A Mission
• Go East
• The Broken Past
• Dice And Dancers
• Lost