Vision Divine was born in 1998, originally intended as Olaf Thörsen's solo project (Labÿrinth's guitarist at the time). Very soon he starts collaborating again with Fabio Lione (Labÿrinth, Rhapsody) and the solo project rapidly turns into a real band. At first they recorded a demo using the name Symmetry, but later changed it to Vision Divine. The name being a combination of "Vision" (Labÿrinth's old moniker from when Olaf created the band) and "Divine" (the title intended for Olaf's solo album). The line-up got completed with Mat Stancioiu (drums), Andrew Mc Pauls (keyboards) and Andrea Tower Torricini (bass).
In 1999 their first self titled studio album is released.

VISION DIVINE (1999) ATRHEIA

Vision Divine sounds pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a band consisting of key members from Labÿrinth and Rhapsody. Simply put, they play Italian style melodic power metal! Lots of keyboards, harmony vocals and other grandiose elements. The galloping guitars are ever-present, as is the falsetto/operatic vocals, but they don't overuse the double bass drums. They are always riding on the edge of becoming cheezy, and for many people they might appear as just that. But I have always liked this style, so I choose to call them good at what they do instead. They have these nifty little details here and there that makes them stick out, and enough variety to never get dull. Just check out the keys in "The Miracle". To be honest, I remember liking this a whole lot when I first got it. So some of the novelty of it has worn off over the years. But this is still a fine debut album from one of the better bands in the genre. Songs like "On The Wings Of The Storm" are, in my opinion, contenders as all time best melodic power metal tunes. Also look out for the cover of Europe's "The Final Countdown".

Killer tracks: New Eden, On The Wings Of The Storm, The Whisper, The Miracle

SEND ME AN ANGEL (2002) ATRHEIA

The second album from these Italians is pretty much more of the same. The songs might be a bit more straight forward heavy metal then what was the case on the debut, and most of the choruses are super catchy. But the basis is still melodic power metal with some symphonic tendencies. I have to admit that Fabio has this voice that when it works, it really works, but when it doesn't, it's rather painful to listen too. Mostly this has to do with his accent. It seems people either like him, or hate him. I'm one of those who do like what he does, but even I find his accent hard to swallow at times. Still, this doesn't take anything away from one Olaf Thörsen, guitarist and songwriter supreme! He is one of metal's unsung heroes, as far as I'm concerned. Delivering strong material every time he releases a new CD. If you are a fan of the man, or the genre, you could do far worse then checking out 'Send Me An Angel'. I'm still debating whether I like this one, or the debut, better. The album ends with a horrendous cover of the A-Ha classic, "Take On Me". I'm offended on behalf of the entire Norwegian population, and all A-Ha fans out there!

Killer tracks: Send Me An Angel, Away From You, Black & White, The Call, Taste Of A Goodbye

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS (2004) METAL BLADE

This is where I should be writing about a band in full bloom, who'd grown into becoming like a ship heading steadily for a safe harbor, and other lame metaphors. Because 'Stream Of Consciousness' is by far the bands strongest effort this far. And to this listener, it is even leaps and bounds better then it's predecessors. Thus it's a little weird that this is almost an entirely new band! Only Olaf and Andrea are left from the prior line-up. I even remember reading about the band falling apart when Lione decided he could only concentrate on Rhapsody. But then suddenly Mr. Thörsen pulled a rabbit out of his hat, and this album saw the light of day. The line-up is revitalized, and especially the new singer is a find! Stronger then ever, and more mature than anything before it, 'Stream Of Consciousness' is a concept album filled with quality metal. Words are not needed. All you need to know is that this CD is astonishing!

Killer tracks: The Secret Of Life, Colours Of My World, Versions Of The Same, Out Of The Maze

THE PERFECT MACHINE (2006) SCARLET (Limited Edition)

A victim of the cut down of real metal from the Metal Blade label, Vision Divine tramples on on the smaller Scarlet label. And the new record company is not the only changes for these Italians. 3 new members replace 2 "lost" ones. Produced by Stratovarius' Timo Tolkki and band leader Olaf Thörsen, 'The Perfect Machine' is yet another concept album. But whereas 'Stream Of Consciousness' dealt with issues on personal levels, this new one is more of a futuristic story, told from the viewpoint of a main character. The music is also a natural continuation from the predecessor, offering some more stellar modern power metal (crap, now I've adopted this term for the Euro-metal bands too!). The guitars are razor sharp, and this might very well be some of the most riff-oriented material from Vision Divine to date. And with the keyboards, and other progressive elements, still present, I'm inclined to liken them to Symphony X this time around. Maybe not quality wise, but they have that really heavy prog/metal vibe going on. 'The Perfect Machine' is not as strong as it's predecessor, and end up somewhat anonymous at times. But it's still a fine album nonetheless. My Limited Edition version of this album comes with 4 bonus tracks. 3 of them are rerecorded versions of songs from the bands first 2 albums. A cool thing, but nothing I really need. The last bonus track is a cover of one of my favorite Queensrÿche tunes, namely "The Needle Lies" from 'Operation: Mindcrime'. Sadly Vision Divine manage to ruin a great song with thick accented vocals, and a boring rhythm section.

Killer tracks: The Perfect Machine, Here In 6048, Now That You've Gone

Related artists:

Athena, Rhapsody, Luca Turilli, Labÿrinth