Visions of Atlantis Delta
by Franco Cerchiari
Staff Writer
It has been said since the dawn of man, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Ok…but what about within the realm of music – particularly metal? Is it ok to maintain the status quo if what worked on previous releases, the band should do more of the same with their latest release? It can be supposed, that once a band finds their “niche,” whether it be power, progressive or what have you, they should stick to what it is they do well.
This argument brings us to Visions of Atlantis’s latest venture, Delta. Massive use of the keyboards, dual female/male vocals, and stirring, emotional musical passages – all present. And present throughout. Formed in 2000 in Austria, Visions of Atlantis have continued their brand of symphonic metal with each of their releases – 2002’s Eternal Endless Infinity, 2004’s Cast Away and 2007’s Trinity. While these releases certainly have gathered VoA a loyal fan base, this same type of music can be heard on other releases by like bands. Not in any stretch of the imagination to say that Delta is a bad album – far from it. The tracks come across as stirring, poignant with elements of the dark and yes, do hit the mark. The musicianship is strong, and as individuals each band member show that they can play their instruments, and do so quite well. In fact there is much about this release that holds up quite nicely. While the guitars seem to have put aside for the more prominent use of keyboards, operatic vocals and synthesizers, the overall, completed vibe is, well … a let down. So while the tracks are well written and played, little here is new, original or jumps out at the listener as refreshing
But let’s back up. New vocalist Maxi Nil (formerly of Elysion and On Thorns I Lay) and longtime member Mario Plank do an admirable job of complimenting each other. Like with the band Archaic Revival where the same type of vocals can be heard, the operatic, multi-range Maxi does fit in nicely with the grunts and lower octaves of Mario. The drums are incredible with sensational use of double bass drums, rolls and cymbal crashes. The keyboards of Martin Harb are everywhere and time and again he shows that he can bring out an emotion (as heard on “Twist of Fate,”) where his keyboards weave an excellent pattern “twisting” around the dual vocals. His talent again is evident on “New Dawn,” the surreal, futuristic “Sonar,” the pomp of “Elegy of Existence,” the soft “Reflection,” (unfortunately the vocals of Maxi Nil on this soft, touching ballad was, in times off tune,) and the closing track “Gravitate Towards Fatality.”
As talented of an ensemble of musicians as Visions of Atlantis are, and collectively their sound is ripe with sounds of the symphonic, it was a hope that the band would push the envelope. So intriguing is the realm of symphonic metal that it is only imagined how far such a band as this could go. With the ability to mix opera, the symphonic and metal and having such limitless resources at their disposal, it can only be imagined how much could be accomplished. It can be surmised that the symphonic, larger than life sounds of Rhapsody of Fire, the keyboards of Darkwater and the dark feel of Evergrey all brought together with the male/female sounds of Mil and Plank would be a release that be one that could catapult this band head and shoulders above the rest.
Genre – Symphonic Metal
Track Listing
Black River Delta
Memento
New Dawn
Where Daylight Fails
Conquest of Fire
Twist of Fate
Elegy of Existence
Reflection
Sonar
Gravitate Towards Fatality
Musicians
Maxi Nil – vocals
Mario Plank – vocals
Werner Fiedler – guitars
Martin Harb – keyboards
Thomas Caser – drums
Mario Lochert – bass
Label: Napalm Records
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10