ALBUM REVIEW: The Deep & The Dark Live @ Symphonic Metal Nights 2018 – Visions Of Atlantis

Drenched in drama and with an entrancing sound that conjures up those fantastical tales that time forgot, Austria’s VISIONS OF ATLANTIS are the epitome of symphonic shapeshifters. Their latest and sixth studio album The Deep & The Dark (their first new record since 2013’s Ethera) would see three founding members re-join the band as well as the introduction of French mezzo chanteuse Clémentine Delauney on vocals alongside male counterpart Siegfried Samer. Recorded during the Symphonic Metal Nights 2018 European tour run alongside contemporaries SERENITY, this live opus is awash with sweeping melodies and bombastic arrangements pushing the quintet’s sonic adventure to an even higher level in terms of performance.

Unsurprisingly, the setlist focuses on material from the current album with eight out of the ten tracks making the cut with a couple of classic hits thrown into the mix for good old-school measure. Harnessing intense power and emotion, opener and title track The Deep & The Dark captures the listener’s attention from the jump-off; chock-full of cinematic grandeur it is reminiscent of a mystical movie soundtrack. Both vocalists take every available opportunity to engage with the adoring masses.

There are frequent requests to hear the audience’s voices throughout whilst New Dawn is introduced in gloriously overblown fashion with an invitation to “show us your asses!” before a plethora of thundering basslines underpinned by rich orchestrations ramp up the drama and a fist-pumping guitar solo brings this stomper to a rousing finish. Anyone already familiar with VISIONS OF ATLANTIS will be aware of the symphonic metallers’ penchant for a soul stirring ballad – a quick listen to the soothing Winternight on 2004’s Cast Away is a perfect example. The Last Home is absolutely no exception and it’s here where Clémentine Delauney is at her most evocative, accompanied by nothing more than tinkling piano keys, her dark crystalline tones soar to the forefront to prove that sometimes the simplest arrangement can in fact be the most suitable choice. With a firm emphasis on melody, Samer and Delauney’s vocal interplay shines on power metal infused Return To Lemuria and between them illustrate an innate ability to tell a story as the quintet sail off into the proverbial night.

Encapsulating their ability to put forth a breathtaking live show as well as showcasing stunning production, The Deep & The Dark Live @ Symphonic Metal Nights will appeal equally to diehards as well as recently enamoured fans of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS.

Rating: 8/10

The Deep & The Dark Live @ Symphonic Metal Nights is out now via Napalm Records.

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