Visions of Atlantis – “Pirates” | Progressive Rock Central.com

One week from today, Visions of Atlantis will release the kraken upon the world! With Pirates, Visions of Atlantis, have created a dynamic metal album, the likes of which we have not heard from, since the early days of Arjen Lucassen or one of my favorite metal albums of all time, Xandria’s Neverworld’s End.

Pirates will definitely be on the top of many symphonic metal ‘album of the year’ lists. This really is one of the best albums I’ve heard in years. Pirates, will be released on May 13, 2022. And although the theme and artwork is filled with pirates, the album’s themes go way beyond the pirate tales of the past.

The secret to Visions of Atlantis’ success is the combination of powerful male and female vocals. They also use dramatic themes, stories, and create symphonic orchestration, which channels operatic force and command, when they perform. Visions of Atlantis are: Clémentine Delauney, on vocals; Michele Guaitoli, on vocals; Dushi Duscha, on guitars; Herbert Glos, on bass; and Thomas Caser, on drums.

What this band does perfectly is balance the power of their two vocalists to create an opera – like show on each song they sing. Instead of choosing different singers and players each time as Lucassen does, this band builds a powerful repertoire of talent, and a discography of songs and albums with the forceful vocal talent they possess. They have developed over time into a very ‘dynamic duo’. Delauney and Guaitoli work together so perfectly and seamlessly that you cannot imagine the band could have existed without their presence. This male/female vocal team, work like a sports team, delivering on each lyric and each moment of every track on the album. It is indeed well-planned and choreographed, like an opera or theatrical performance. Professionalism at a much higher level, than we are used to in the metal symphonic genre. And the guitar, bass, and keyboards are some of the best in the world. This team, is both well-tuned and ready to conquer the metal world. They have the power and accessibility to crossover into the pop and classical rock genres as well.

Speaking of well-planned, while other bands were working on material and getting frustrated by the global Covid pandemic – cancelling their tours; this band was working on this album and two tours to help launch it. They had been invited to play support on the Dragonforce Tour, which toured across North America, during the doldrums of late winter. Capturing the audiences, screaming to go to a live concert. The tour took Visions of Atlantis across North America, and it fired up fans from the past and fans anew to want to partake of Pirates. I have the album pre-ordered and I am sure many that saw them live have done the same. Sales should skyrocket on May 13^th. The band also scheduled a follow-up tour in Europe to commence on May 13^th, crossing Germany and parts of Belgium. Great planning which should help lift sales and streaming throughout the rest of the year.

So, planning and professionalism, is top notch. Now how about the music? Well, I did say dynamic. Everything from opera, pirate lore, and stories which will hook you in for the rest of the spring, summer and fall.

The album opens with gentle symphonic orchestration as “Pirates Will Return”, sets the stage. You can hear the ship’s wooden bow creaking as the pirate ship wades in the sea, with the piano and pipe organ playing quietly. Delauney’s beautiful voice opens the album, “I have chased a million signs. But felt it deep inside. The truth was right in front of my eyes. Fate is my own to create. And power’s all it takes. I had to set the sails by myself. And I sing my song at times. It goes by these very rhymes. Come to the land. Where pirates will return”. Then its Guaitoli’s turn, “I’m a good friend to the rain. Alone against the pain. In silent nights where mysteries remain. Proud to break the bloody chains. Around the weary hands. My mission I will lead ‘til the end. Once the glory days have died. I will leave it all behind”. The refrain is powerful and will have you singing with them, “Come to the land. Where pirates will return. Under strong command. See the world expand. Famous names to earn. Brave men will stand ‘til powder-rooms will burn. As the ocean’s waves. Are the only graves. For free men on the stern”. The wick is lit and the cannon’s roar. What an opener. This will probably be a concert opener as well.

“Melancholy Angel”, took a while to appreciate, but now I cannot get it out of my thoughts. It is the second single and video off the album. Delauney sings, “I’m waiting for life full of torment within. An evil intention lies under my skin. And leads me astray. In empty romance I am losing myself. Delusional chance, I’m embracing silence. And all shades of grey. Hopeless, I’m drowning. Helpless, I’m trying. Desperate to find the reason I can believe”. Then, its Guaitoli’s turn, “I see in the mirror the void I’ve become. The joys and the horrors keep turning me numb. A taste of despair. The more that I grieve and the less that I care. The less that I give and the more that I bear. The price that I pay”. We all wish we could exorcise our inner demons. This song captures that spirit well.

Wow! “Master the Hurricane”, is a monster track. I weathered a couple hurricanes when I lived in Florida, so I know of which they speak. Like a hurricane, the song starts off with a soft peaceful beginning of calm waters and winds. Ben Metzner plays flutes and wind instruments as the orchestra and choir prepares the way. Delauney sings, “Walking the meadows of bliss and flowers of love. Holding the moments of peace. I cherish all of. Forgotten, forsaken. I lost the way to my creek. Desperation, Armageddon Go find the way to your creek. Awaken, enlighten, Where is the home that I seek? Revelation, Armageddon. Your heart’s the home that you seek. Guaitoli sings, “Feeling the rays of the sun. They’re fading away. Watching the world come undone. Salvation begins as you pray”. Then the chorus, “Raging storms. Bring the rain. How can I master the hurricane? Solid stone. Turns to clay. I fear the way to my cove will fade away”. The changing world, with war raging in Europe for the first time since World War II. We can all feel that right now. However, Delauney and the band know how to master the storm. Delauney sings, “Solace was not a dream. It flowed in all the streams. I know I’ll return. One day, to this world I knew. The band chorus sings, “I’ve learned to master the hurricane. Healing wounds. From decay. I am the force at the core that never shakes”.

If there is a song that will take some time to appreciate, it is “Clocks”. The refrain throws me off with the ‘tick, tick, tock’, is taking some time to get used to. But I know I’ll get there eventually. The chorus is great until the ‘tick, tick, tock’ part. The chorus goes, “Time as you know. Let it go with the flow. Make a golden play. Out of every day. As the tick-tick-tock. From the clock. Is never-ending”. However, the band uncovers the key to time, “Try and find the other side. What we can’t control, what we must surrender. All that we have to decide. Is what we should do with the time that’s given us”. It is also one of the shortest songs on the album.

Back to the force of the story. “Freedom”, brings together the Pirates theme right before the anthem, that will follow next. Delauney and Guaitoli are at their best. Guaitoli opens this classic, “Deep in the night, when no one’s awake. Dimming the lights. I hide my escape. Silence in town, my vessel awaits. I will tell no common man’s tale”. Delauney follows, in this lush landscape of symphonic sound, “Waiting in darkness. I join you and flee. Felons or heroes. We conquered the seas. Hopes of the men who follow their heart. Love of the men whose heart is as wild as the storm”. Together they sing, “Let us run away!” A wonderful tale and a perfect example of the theatrical nature of VoA’s music.

The best song on this album, and probably my favorite song of 2022, is the pirate anthem, “Legion of the Seas”. I have suggested to many friends and compatriots of my hometown Seattle Kraken NHL hockey team, this should be their game day fight song. The culmination of my vision would be to see Visions of Atlantis play this before the massive crowds at Climate Pledge Arena in October for the start of the new hockey season.

But enough about me! This is one of the best pirate or any other anthem, I have heard in years. The chorus is simply mesmerizing. The lyrics perfect! The song opens with bold orchestration and horns. Choirs follow as the drum rolls begin. Guaitoli gets the privilege of opening this monster hit of 2022, “Take the chart. Make a mark. Not a day where I won’t listen to my heart. Sail away, sail away. Stay the course. To the source. Not a day that I will have end in remorse., Not today, not today!” Delauney, The Captain, sings, “The journey’s now or never. Embrace your soul forever. You feel alive when cresting the waves. Just get yourself together. The crying times are over. And show the world the fine edge of your blade. Then, the chorus, “Born to be free. We’re the legion of the seas. We’ve conquered all the waters with our fleet. Born to be free. We’re the legion of the seas. We subjugate the free world at our feet. Dominus Hominum!” Later, Delauney sings, as the Siren, “It must feel so heavy now. So, close your eyes again”, enough to bring the tired world to tears. Every moment of this classic is so well planned and sung/played. Delauney returns, “Come weary heart, take my hand. I am the one who will take you back. To the sand Of your lost wonderland!” Dynamite! The anthem of 2022. Last year it was Phantom Elite’s “Titanium”. This year it is “Legion of the Seas”. I triple dog dare some band to write something better!

Let’s face it. We have all been through some kind of hell over the last couple of years, during this pandemic. We all need, “Wild Elysium”. So, lie back in a field somewhere and put this on, and enjoy it. Listen to Clémentine, “I can feel a rising storm. Dreading all the clouds to form. All around. Not a sound. Waiting for the fall. Guaitoli sings, “Sadness wins my lonely heart. Slowly tearing me apart. All is cold. Grey and old”. Delauney sings, “Show me the way through the night. Show me the way to the gates of delight!” Then together they sing, “Hear my serenade. Give my soul a name. I surrender, my Lord. I have broken my sword. Given all the pain. Will I feel again? I ascend or I fall. Find a gate or a wall. After all, we can only run to wild Elysium!” One of the best lyrical songs on the album. I do hope it is the next single, but I bet it will be “Master the Hurricane”. No matter, I think there will be a video and single sometime this year for this great song. It is perfect.

“Darkness Inside”, opens with solo piano and atmospherics, before the power drums, chords, bass keyboards, and band join in. Then Delauney sings more of this album’s best lyrics, “I lost my will and my belief. That I could ever live in bliss. Witness the patterns that repeat. Where’s the end to this. Open the door that I cannot hide. Facing the lies that I can’t deny. Lightening the darkness inside. I walk away from my mind. The deeper I’m diving. The greater I’m growing. And I will never bleed again! Lightening the darkness inside. Relieve the burden of mine. Change for the better. Change is forever. And I will never bleed again!’ Wow! Change for the better, change is forever. Words to live by. Another great lyric – “Burry the doubts that can paralyze. Drawing the way to our paradise!”

“In My World”, opens with more beautiful flutes, Clémentine sings, “Broken home, had me crumbling. Broken love, kept me crying. I remember how I felt alone”. Guaitoli sings, “Seeking trust, I’ve been lying. Chasing hearts, I’ve been running. All of the things I did, they were so wrong”. Clémentine sings, “Breathing, I’ve been breathing. And I found my heaven’s door!” She continues, “Hiding inside when the wind’s about to turn. I will always be safe in my world. Closing my mind to the visions. I endured I will lay here ‘til brighter days return”. Another powerful anthem of resistance to the strife filling the world.

“Mercy”, opens with that spirited rollicking pirate spirit that has possessed all the music on the album so far. Delauney sings, “Sailing across the sea. Some men you know have been plotting. You trust their loyalty. Find out their plans while they’re sleeping. Guaitoli sings, “I must punish the crime. The power is mine. Justice I’ll give in due time. I will sharpen my blade. Lead my crusade. Doom to the ones who betrayed. The hour of judgement is coming. They pray that you follow your mercifulness”. Then the chorus, “The hour of judgement is coming. They pray that you follow your mercifulness. The heart of the coward is showing. There is more power in pity than courage in hate!” Unbelievable spirit. One wonders how they could sit on this music for so long, wanting to play it live.

As the album moves towards a close the hour has come to “Heal the Scares”. Delauney sings, “What does hurt me greatly. And why, I do not know, I can love you dearly. And still let you go. I wish I were stronger. But what I didn’t know, I won’t see you ever. Through fear and sorrow. Sometimes love’s all over me. Sometimes love just leaves me. Sometimes love can feel so cruel. I’ll never be such a fool. I’ll open my heart. When it all falls apart. I see the way we couldn’t take. But can we let down the walls. And set it all free. For all of you and me. To heal the scars, to find the key”. A love song for the ages.

After all this, you just know the closer is gonna be immaculate! And so, it is. A familiar Scottish melody, with flutes and bagpipes, and Clémentine singing. “I Will Be Gone”, may be the album’s second-best song. It is deep, people. Clémentine sings, “Cold cell, ending the course of my journey. Fate will depend on their mercy. Closing my book with the sun. Praying, facing the end. I don’t worry. Victory’s mine. I’m not sorry. For all the battles I won. Guaitoli sings, “Cherishing all I’ve become. Guilt and remorse I feel none”. Then the chorus, “When the twilight ends. And mighty bells resonate. When the light is red. And early stars gravitate. All is never so forlorn. Shall I ever be reborn! Guaitoli sings, ‘How vain this world has become. Shame and remorse they feel none”. Together they sing, “And God’s my only savior. All is never so forlorn. Shall I ever be reborn? And before the dawn, I promise, I will be gone”.

This band has everything. And they really put their hearts into this album. I have talked enough about the vocalists. The band, production, album mixing and mastering, and the orchestration on this album are immaculate. The drumming is some of the best I have heard lately. Thank you Thomas Caser. A pirate themed album must have powerful drums, and Thomas helps lift the power of this album throughout.

Dushi Duscha’s guitar work is also some of the best I have heard on metal albums recently. He has profound moments throughout this masterpiece. Herbert Glos, on bass, provides fantastic support and those deep chords which balance the high notes and the stellar lead guitar.

Finally, and in summation. This is the best metal rock album of 2022, so far. Whether it remains on top, we will have to see. There is a lot of great music yet to unfold this year. But halfway through the year, Visions of Atlantis is the leader, showing everyone else how to do it. How to lead and plan a year, and a season of touring while creating a masterpiece. They have demonstrated the fine art of teamwork and they serve as an example of how to remain successful in this biz. They have just begun to rise and they will stay in front of their audience, all year!

Track List:

Pirates Will Return – 6:07
Melancholy Angel – 3:55
Master the Hurricane – 7:18
Clocks – 3:55
Freedom – 4:01
Legion of the Seas – 4:35
Wild Elysium – 4:15
Darkness Inside – 4:30
In My World – 5:25
Mercy – 4:27
Heal the Scares – 3:55
I Will Be Gone – 5:37

Recorded by: Felix Heldt at Separate Sound Studios, Germany

Mixed by: Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Denmark

Mastered by: Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Denmark

Cover Artwork by: Zsofia Dankova

Orchestrations by: Lukas Knoebl

Performing guest:

Ben Metzner: “In My World” (Flutes), “I Will Be Gone” (Flutes + Bagpipes), “Master the Hurricane” (Flutes), “Heal the Scars” (Flutes + Bagpipes).

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS live:
Pirates Release Shows:
13.05.22 DE – Schwäbisch-Gmünd / Phönix
14.05.22 DE – Bad Friedrichshall / Lemmy´s
15.05.22 DE – Trier / Mergener Hof
16.05.22 DE – Mannheim / 7er
18.05.22 BE – Roeselare / De Verlichte Geest
19.05.22 BE – Bree / Ragnarock
20.05.22 DE – Selb / Rockclub