Metal Reviews

Vision Divine has done it again, as their fourth album as absolutely amazing in every aspect! They got a way better production than their previous album (hat off to Timo Tolkki) and to be honest, I think Michele Luppi might become the best singer metal has seen in a very long time.

Has anyone else been fortunate enough to hear this new album?

I picked up Stream Of Consciousness like 2 weeks ago in the used bin and it was a pleasant surprise! Very good band (at least on this CD)! How does "SoC" stand up to their other albums?

Well, I'll just give a quick VD history lesson. Labyrinth guitarist Olaf Thorsen creats Vision Divine, standard Italian power metal, and for some odd reason, Olaf has two other band members pick up the songwriting. Also at this time, new vocalist comes in, so basically, Stream of Consciousness is Vision Divine's rebirth, more or less.

VD's first album, self-titled, is good if you like good ol' labyrinth-style metal, their second album is a borefest, and, well, you know about the third and the fourth is even better.

Sweet, good to know. I listened to MP3s on their site and liked them all.

Thanks for the heads up man. My brother got me into these guys a few months ago. I'll look into the new album.

I just got the new Vision Divine.


So far, its pretty good. Definitely worth the money.


Man, this singer is almost identical to Tony Kakko. Especially on the ballad "Here in 6048."

You might wanna also mention that one Fabio Lione sang on the first 2 albums...

I think the first album was classic, second one ok, third one great, and now waiting to get the 4th one someday...

Under a different name.

Yea, I can see the similarities. The only difference being that Luppi blows Kakko out of the water with his range.

I've found out that you can get into the album a lot more once you read the lyrics and the storyboard. For two albums in a row Vision Divine has written some incredibly emotional albums, and each song gives you a feeling similar to what the lyrics are telling you. Something only a few songwriters can really pull off well (Lost Horizon, Ayreon, to name the biggest ones)

Well said, an Italian power metal masterpiece that the band may never match. 8)
Do you have Sigma's s/t CD (another "classic")?
Do you have Labyrinth's 'Return to heaven denied' (yes, another "classic")?
How about the Projecto, Highlord, Desdemona, Wonderland or Shadows of Steel CDs?

All of these are of the highest quality Italian power metal in my mind. 8)

I've also got a new Italian power metal band Soulblaze in my rotation. Features vocalist Wild Steel (Shadows of Steel/Arthemis).
Watch for a 4/5 (probably) rating arriving to the MCDR site at the end of the month...

Yeah. Here we go:

Sigma: yes, I have them both. First one was great, second one ok too, but had some problems with the production :(

Labÿrinth: yeah, have 'em all. Though I haven't listened to the newest one yet... I caught up with them early on, on the No Limits album, which I like at least as much as Return

Projecto: yeah, got them both. The first one was good... don't remember much about the 2nd one... except that it had a kickass cover! \m/

Highlord: heard some tracks, liked it, bought them all, haven't listened to them yet... :oops:

Desdemona: I have the first one, but haven't listened to that one yet either :oops: ...wonder if the second one is "as good" or what?

Wonderland: I've heard some from their early material, didn't like it too much :/

Shadows Of Steel: YEAH! I love Shadows Of Steel!!!! \m/ \m/ <3 <3 ...even though Second Floor wasn't perhaps as good as I'd hoped for :( ...I got them all, except the Heroes EP.



Yeah, I know about 'em, got it on my endless wantlist ;) Is it better than the latest SofS? :o

Hmm, but are u sure Wild Steel sang on Arthemis? :roll:

To your nice list I'd like to add my ALL TIME favorite Skylark!!
And also: Pandaemonium, Elvenking, Hyperion (heavy kickass power), Timestorm (lost gem of progpower supremity), Eldritch (unlike all other Italians), and DGM (the first two, which YOU seem to despise :evil: and therefore I hold a secret grudge :cry: )!

woops, I meant to say Athlantis. :oops:



About the same, but keep in mind I really like the latest Shadows of Steel.



Yes, more great Italian power metal.


...all these bands discussed are listed on the Metal CD Ratings site BTW.

Forgot to reply to this one:



Nope. Nice try, but it was Labÿrinth's debut where Fabio Lione went under the name Joe Terry ;)



Yep ;)



cool.



Yaah... I got some of them reviewed at my site too

I have downloaded it for a few listens, and I'm waiting for the CD to arrive in my mailbox (any day now...), and I agree on every turn. I found it an album that took a few spins to get fully into, it's certainly more progressive than Stream of Consciousness. And yes, Luppi absolutely does rate high in my Top10 metal singers. I only hope Nightwish have the same kind of luck finding their new singer.

Favorite track: The Ancestor's Blood

Just to make sure no one has their knowledge of Vision Divine corrupted, I must admit to a lie. It appears that Olaf does most of the writing of the music, and all of the lyrics. His name in the bio is Olaf Thorsen, but in the songwriting credits, he refers to himself as Magnani. My apologies.

EDIT: Btw, VD has a samples playlist on their website (www.visiondivine.com). In there are some live tracks from the Stream of Consciousness tour. Proof that Luppi is the real deal.

theendrecords just got the new release available

Really?! Son of bitch. Curse you for being such a power metal know it all.

Man, walk that walk, talk that talk...
Think about it
NPG 4 now and 4ever

I don't understand what you're saying.

:?: Yeah, what?!?