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'Trinity',
the 3rd full-length release by Austria's Visions of Atlantis, blends
together a combination of operatic vocals, sublime guitars, and a
thundering rhythm section, complimented by a hugely atmospheric
background. While
it is unfair to make comparisons to other bands due to the fresh sound of
'Trinity',
it is impossible to listen to this band without immediately thinking of
their former touring partners - Nightwish.
Similar
to Nightwish,
Visions of Atlantis boast both male and female vocalists, with both
Mario Plank and Melissa
Ferlaak bearing an uncanny resemblance to their counterparts in the Nightwish
of old. If truth be told, it would be hard to distinguish one band from
another if unaware that it was in fact two different bands, but I for one
am not complaining, as this album has picked up exactly where Nightwish's 'Once' left off. Leaving
these comparisons far behind, 'Trinity'is a truly fantastic album.
Album opener 'At The Back Of Beyond'
sets the bar to a high
standard which stays constant throughout the album.
A classic metal opener
complete with explosive keyboard/guitar intro, and of course a dangerously
catchy chorus. Both 'The Secret' and 'Passing Dead End' carry on the
quality shown in the aforementioned track and both showcase the fantastic
use of the male vocals with Ferlaak’s operatic work.
In this day and age
it would be seen as absolutely criminal for any Power Metal band to omit a
lighters aloft, potential tear jerker of a ballad, and here Visions of
Atlantis have played it safe with the majestic 'The Poem', which features
male vocalist Mario Plank’s heartfelt vocals almost exclusively.
'Nothing
Left' brings the tempo back to where it started off, another bombastic
rocker laden with flowing synth and a guitar tone which most guitarists
would give their right arm for; polished production is really one of the
most fantastic things since bread because sliced, at least for Euro Metal
enthusiasts like myself. The mid tempo “My Dark Side Home” offers a chorus
packed with emotion and perhaps even a gentle poignancy to some, while
possibly the heaviest song present on 'Trinity', 'Wing Shaped Heart' would
not sound out of place on any album by the Finns mentioned earlier on.
Melissa Ferlaak’s vocals are showcased on the extremely mellow and
reflective 'Return to you', as she recites an almost mournful performance,
accompanied by a soft piano. 'Through My Eyes' sees Ferlaak and Plank
trading off each other perfectly, and also gives us a breathtaking
falsetto from the American female vocalist. Perhaps the albums finest
moments occur in the closing two tracks. 'Flow This Desert' is the most
musically driven song off the album, with addictive guitar melodies and
harmonies, while closer 'Seven Seas' sees Ferlaak deliver her finest
performance on the album with a beautiful flowing chorus, carrying on
through to the albums finish.
If you’re looking for an album which sees musical boundaries being broken,
new paths travelled,
then 'Trinity' probably isn’t for you. However if you’re a fan of catchy,
upbeat, majestic, symphonic/power metal' Visions of Atlantis’ new release
is going to satisfy your tastes beyond your wildest dreams! Not even half
way through 2007 and already one of the year’s finest albums has emerged.
*
Review by Shadow Warrior. |
