Visions Of Atlantis – The Deep & The Dark
Album Review by Rainer Kerber
In December 2013, Thomas Caser, the last remaining founding member of the Austrian symphonic metal band Visions of Atlantis, announced drastic lineup changes to his band. Because he no longer agreed with the stylistic development of the band, he brought the other founding members Werner Fiedler (git), Mike Koren (b) and Chris Kamper (keyb) back into the band. As a singer he signed Clementine Delauney (ex Serenity, Exit Eden) and Siegfried Samer (Dragony). This should be the last and final lineup, back to the roots. In April 2016, an EP was inserted to tune the fans to a new album. On “Old Routes – New Waters” five classics of the first three albums were re-recorded. Back in my review, I wrote that the spirit of these three albums is back. The new album was delayed, however, because the lineup was not as final as Thomas Caser imagined, only he and the vocal duo are left. Now the long-awaited successor has appeared. With “The Deep & The Dark”, Visions of Atlantis want to continue where they left off in 2007.
The first surprise comes with the title song “The Deep & The Dark”. After a short intro epic sound vision of Atlantis like Nightwish for Anette Olzon era. However, vocalist Clémentine Delauney scores clearly with her stronger and more variable voice. But already the following song clearly shows the return to the early years, and not only because of the song title “Return To Lemuria” (a reference to the 2005 album “Cast Away”). Here you can also admire the voice of Siegfried Samer (Dragony) for the first time. And this harmonizes perfectly with the soprano by Clémi. Next surprise – “Ritual Night” starts with Celtic sounds. After this it is a catchy song that seduces to sing along. Then “The Silent Mutiny” bangs straight out of the speakers. Of course, you should not miss the orchestral parts, but the brilliant guitar solo and the always present guitar and bass riffs provide a great heaviness. And again, the Austrians pulls out a lot from their musical magic bag, in “Book Of Nature” oriental sounds can be heard.
With “The Last Home” follows the first ballad of the album. The singer here can show that she is a gifted singer, accompanied only by strings and piano. the rest of the band then sets a powerful towards the end. The contrast program follows immediately, “The Grand Illusion” rocks straight forward, guitars and drums provide high speed, while Clémentine Delauney can shine in the highest pitches. Epic melody lines present Visions Of Atlantis at “Dead Reckoning”. In “Words Of War” dominate the keyboards for long passages, the vocal duo spread good mood again. One riff after another is fired, a prime example of how modern symphonic metal should sound. And at the very end the listener can dream again. “Prayer To The Lost” is a beautiful, bittersweet power ballad.
The role backwards has succeeded the Austrians. “The Deep & The Dark” closes the circle to the early years of the band. Although the compositions reach the genius of the first three albums not quite Visions Of Atlantis have recorded a masterpiece of symphonic metal here. The songs are varied and have many a surprise in them. The icing on the cake is, of course, the vocal duo Clémentine Delauney / Siegfried Samer. The long wait was definitely worth it for the fans.
Pictures: Visions of Atlantis, Napalm Records
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS – Return To Lemuria: https://youtu.be/4tJAdUahyTA
Lineup:
Clémentine Delauney – Vocals
Siegfried Samer – Vocals
Christian Douscha – Guitars
Herbert Glos – Bass
Thomas Caser – Drums
Label: Napalm Records
Out: February 16th 2018
Duration: 41:01
Track list:
- The Deep & The Dark
- Return To Lemuria
- Ritual Night
- The Silent Mutiny
- Book Of Nature
- The Last Home
- The Grand Illusion
- Dead Reckoning
- Words Of War
- Prayer To The Lost
Rating : 9/10
MHF Magazine/Rainer Kerber
