Album Review - Vision Divine - 9 Degrees West of the Moon

Vision Divine has had a long history, especially being the sideproject it was intended, and you can't help but feel that perhaps they are... regressing a bit. This new disc signals alot of changes, mainly the circling back to the beginning in regards to the singer. Michael Luppi is out and Fabio Lione is in. A more melodic direction is promised and there's a new label putting it out as well - Frontiers this time.

When (the unfortunately abbreviated) VD came on the scene for the debut, they combined Labyrinth guitarist Olaf Thorsen (this is his baby afterall) with one of the most recognizable singers in the crowded, competitive power metal genre, ex-Labyrinth and then-current Rhapsody vocalist Fabio Lione (and best known for his endearing interpretations of the English language). VD's debut should have been a grand disc but instead played it safe like kids are cautioned to do at school crossings so they don't become plastered roadkill on their way to a higher education. Better to be safe than become a street pancake eh? For Vision Divine it was perhaps not the greatest decision, as the cd was generic, formulaic and superficial.
The album blew through like a breeze, remembered for a moment's worth, then quickly forgotten. Where it faltered, other albums under the banner pushed other barriers, broke some and found heights of creativity and passion.
A sweeping change into the progressive dimension and picking up Michael Luppi along the way made room for a few truly impressive albums, including "Stream of Consciousness" and VD's previous (and continuation plotwise of "Stream") "The 25th Hour". They made new boundaries and created a solid power/progressive product, that was progressive in all the right places, powerful when needed and darker than one would have earlier anticipated. Consistency and excellent were synonymous with the Vision Divine name.

Now the winds of change have blown again and have given us "9 Degrees West of the Moon". It does bring the loitering Lione back (damn those Rhapsody - of Fire? - legal tanglements) and puts him behind a microphone. Timo Tolkki is steering production, and he does manage to get a crystal performance out of Fabio. But there's that red highlighted question of "do we really want VD back the way they were?" and since there's isn't really a choice...

Nine original songs and a cover. Well it is better than naught, that's for sure. There's a great variety here too although it doesn't stray far from the power/progressive field. "Letter to My Child Never Born" begins the album awash in swirling futuristic progressive sounds. Unique keyboards out of a Sci Fi movie soundtrack, and a primal sound peeking out under its skirts. Then they slam on the accelerator, sweeping up into full fledged rhythm section and hellfire guitars. Olaf Thorsen, who has this delicious tone and taste for fancy flourishes, runs the strings in a fury of design. Lione's vocals are gigantic - commanding and more importantly, convincing, hitting all those incredible vibrato shaking notes that make him seem the very audible image the avenging angel. Thick epic and stretching into several different areas of musical expression, "Letter" is lengthy and employs a sleek chorus to top things off.

"Violent Loneliness" paints broad dark strokes with guitars and drums, a feathery touch in the synth and Fabio unfurls his voice like sympathetic angel's wings. The chorus is a miracle of melody. It is all so very like old Labyrinth and even Athena in some respects. The opener may be the more technically advanced piece but this has heart, soul and a crisp melody to match the empathy. Gorgeously executed power metal.

"Fading Shadows" twists into a magnificent prog guitar display that climbs back onto the instrumental highway. A rather typical song though that reflects the feel of Labyrinth's old watershed release, "Return to Heaven Denied". "Angels in Disguise" takes off a might heavier then scales it back for a glowing atmospheric direction. Wonderous beauty sculpted by Fabio's voice, punctuated by these incredible thunderous moments, so grandiose and pompous, the weight and dramatics splitting the otherwise sober song clean open. Like a lightning strike shattering from above. "The Killing Speed of Time" is wicked quick, a guttural thrashy mess that shrouds the vocals in a sea of distortion. It cuts from one extreme to another and loses itself along the way. Interesting perhaps, in its ping pong manner but not anything one would listen to on a long term basis. It's a curiosity piece.

"Streets of Laudomia" finds the melody underfoot again and revs it up to full throttle Rhapsody-like power metal. Lovely guitar slips through its cracks, one such guitar line creating the recurring theme that weaves through the song. The restrained chorus flowers melody as sweet and deadly as the rose. Opening to dazzling colour and fragrance but just as eager to prick a bloodspot on those thorns. "Fly" is a spastic creature, taking flight and gaining altitude until you are dizzy from the guitars and vocal theatrics. A soaring chorus makes the flight worthwhile. Heavy thunder and letting a little soft rain fall for a breather. "Out In Open Space" is like Gamma Ray souped up by the spacey feel of Ayreon.

"9 Degrees West of the Moon", the title track, has a father/son/spirit thing going for it. The way its presented is downright creepy. Cosmic synth, swirly detached spaciousness sets the stage. Before the song ends it lurches into a metal breakout, popping electric runs and drums all over the place before wrapping back up into a closeout of spooky weirdness.

"Touch of Evil" sprints out the gate in a majestic, mindblowing fashion. Always an awesome song, and brought to life vibrantly by the Vision Divine guys. Their interpretation is absolutely exquisite. Powerful, flowing, Fabio just belting the lyrics... a blistering slab of heavy metal, streamlined, catchy and explosive. Maybe they should be a Judas Priest cover band, judging by the hot blooded adrenaline rush this final fling induces.

It is hard to say how successful this disc will be since it is basically variations on a power metal theme and lacks the depth of previous VD albums. Perhaps its nothing new under the sun (or west of the moon for that matter) but its well done, and sounds crisp and clean. There is that flush of Thorsen's guitars, the glorious matchup with Lione's unique vocals. It's a nostalgia trip, a winner that makes one wistful, doe eyed and misty. Luppi is missed, as is the VD from the past few years, but you can't use that against this album really. Plus you get to refer to it as "getting that new VD" which somehow makes up for the short running time and a few other nagging drawbacks.

Written by Alanna
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Show all reviews by Alanna

Ratings

Alanna: 7.5/10

Members: 8/10 - Average of 2 ratings.

Member ratings

Steen (Staff)

Rating: 6.5/10
Fabio Leone is back in Vision Divine and it's great to hear his voice again. The band soun... · Read more ·

Modulator

Rating: 9.5/10
Another great album by Vision Divine! I'm big fan of Michael Luppi's voice but Fabio Lion... · Read more ·

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