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VISION DIVINE– SEND ME AN ANGEL
2002 Atrheia Records
The mighty Vision Divine is back. I was really fond of the debut album, VISION DIVINE (2000). It is a true classic. I like Vision Divine because they have a great straight-ahead melodic sound, alot like their Italian counterparts, Labyrinth. They keep the double bass drums pumping and keep the tempo up. I also like the emotion they inject into the songs. The formula takes a 180 degree turn from singer Fabio Lione's main band, Rhapsody. Rhapsody's approach is to bombard you with speed, orchestration, power and choruses. The Vision Divine approach to Power Metal is less bombastic, but compelling and interesting. I really like the way they layer Fabio's vocals. He's a great singer, and you probably get to hear more of his natural voice here than in Rhapsody. You also get more keyboards in Vision Divine. They are used less as an accent and more as a main instrument. Andrew McPauls is definitely one of the best keyboardists around.

The songs on SEND ME AN ANGEL are pretty good, very tight musically. The album opens with the mandatory 1-2 minute instrumental INCIPIT, then goes right into the title track. On the fast songs like "Apocalypse Coming" and "Send Me An Angel," this is about as fast as you can play and not be thrash. Really tight, with double bass drumming and guitar and keyboard solos. I'm not saying Olaf Thorsen's guitars are absent, either. They are prominent and enjoyable. Mat Stancioiu again is punishing and innovative on the drums. He is fun to listen to. The hidden gem on this album is the cover of A-ha's "Take On Me." I've been dying to hear VD's version of it and I love it. In this day of too many tribute albums and cover songs, I submit that this is what covers are supposed to accomplish: Take a good song and do your own version of it, take it to the next level. Too often, bands just try to copy a song perfectly, and that's pretty boring even if they're successful. This is the kind of cover I enjoy, a song which was basically a cool pop song from the '80s and had no guitars in it. VD kick it up a notch and it comes out great. Note: You may have to listen to it a few times to like it. I did.

Overall, I can say that SEND ME AN ANGEL is a step forward for the band. Not a giant step, which is good. This album is not too far from the sound of the debut. It's a natural progression from it. The album has cool graphics and layout. The album cover art is different from the first album. In fact, I'm still trying to figure it out, because it looks like the Archangel from the first cover has died in another angel's arms. It doesn't matter, because its a good cover anyway, and a good album.

Click here for the Official Vision Divine Homepage