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Power Metal: Vision Divine - Vision Divine (1999)


79 / 100
Vision Divine’s debut stands as a solid, if uneven, introduction to their prog-power identity. A respectable start that shows promise and personality despite its flaws.
So, when we talk about prog power, especially from the late '90s, Angra and Symphony X always come up. But since I mostly listen on Bandcamp and stuff, I can't say I really know them that well. Then, in the edge of the 20th century, Vision Divine released their self-titled album. It's established by Olaf Thörsen (Labyrinth), and Fabio Lione whom power metal fans will recognize him as Rhapsody's former singer.

The band's name is kind of in the lyrics of the first song, something about divine eyes, even though there's a self-titled song "Vision Divine" but is probably the weakest one. The beginning of the first song reminds me of their guitar solos in the later work, "Colours of My World," but with a slight classical thing going on, almost like Canon in D. There's also a classical sample in the instrumental track, "Forgotten Worlds," which Dragon Guardian also used in "Ankoku Butokai," but unfortunately I still don't know the original song—it's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 by Bach actually.

Because they're prog, Vision Divine includes keyboard parts and guitar solos, and they use sound effects like thunder to emphasize the chorus of "On the Wings of the Storm," plus relaxing beach sounds in the last song, which is surprisingly good—not bad at all. You can hear Rhapsody's influence on Lione's singing, especially in "On the Wings of the Storm" and "The Whisper," and he gets emotional in "Black Mask of Fear" and "Exodus."

So, besides the song "Vision Divine," there are two tracks that are different: "The Miracle," which is a symphonic speed metal song, and "The Final Countdown," which was the worst choice for a cover. That Europe cover just doesn't sound like Vision Divine, unlike Silent Knight's version. It's a shame.

Overall, Vision Divine's first album is still pretty good, even if it's not completely perfect.

[The review also posted on Metal Archives.]
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