Search - Visions of Atlantis :: Cast Away

Visions Of Atlantis - Nightwish Clones or Imitators?

Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 05/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you love Nightwish like I do and they just don't seem to put out (albums, of course) fast enough to satisfy your cravings for fresh Romantic, Symphonic Metal music, you might want to give Visions of Atlantis a spin.



I don't know if this Austrian sextet purposely tries to sound like Nightwish and I don't care. Their music seems original and almost as good and as far as I'm concerned you can't have too much of a good thing.



Now, I'm not saying Visions of Atlantis is a second coming of Nightwish. It's not. They're good but no Nightwish. At least not yet but they only have two albums under their belt and their latest, Cast Away is pretty good in my estimation.



Cast Away



Like Nightwish, Visions of Atlantis plays a melodious version of Romantic Symphonic Metal on Melodic Symphonic Metal if you will. Most of the songs are medium tempo, ranging from mellow like the ballad "Winternight" to bombastic, like "Realm of Fantasy" and in between. One or two are more like ballads.



Overall the album is a little short at barely forty minutes. Unlike Nightwish, Visions of Atlantis uses a male singer, Mario Plank, for every song except the ballad "Winternight". In that respect at least, they are closer to Lacuna Coil or Evanescence. As a singer Plank isn't anything to brag about. He isn't good nor is he bad. Let's just say he's adequate. Lady singer, Nicole Bogner is better than adequate but not yet in the class of Tarja Turgen or Sharon den Adel. She has a pleasant enough operatic style voice, not unlike Turgen but seems to struggle to hit some of the higher notes.



The obvious class of the album are "Send Me a Light", "Lost" and "State of Suspense". "Send me a Light" is a mostly medium fast, variable paced number with a catchy melody. It starts with Nichole singing the verses and Plank sing/talking the choruses. Not sure what it's about but here's some sample lyrics:

"Send me a light, Out of my night

Lay your arms on me, To set me free, My fear is me

Take my hate away, Let pain astray, Show me this way"



"Lost" is sort of like a rock/symphonic number which is very accessible. Plank seems to be the lead singer here with Nichole singing a prominent but secondary part. The song is very radio friendly and I have read that a video exists of this song. No wonder, this is a song that's hard not to like. On this song it sounds like the shipwrecked singer is having dreams of a lovely woman in the past:

"I see her face in my dreams - like a star shining all across the sea,

I remember this moment - years ago there was only you and me

When I wake up in sadness - I realize my deep wounds never heal

Living only in memories - all is lost, coldness I can feel"



"State of Suspense" starts a little out of character with a electronic beginning but quickly goes back to the symphonic feel. This is a medium paced fairly extravagant song where Plank starts singing the lead but is superseded by Nichole's strong vocals. Another catchy song with a few hooks as well. The lyrics on this song are impressive as well:

"Gravity of thoughts, they pull you down,

Carry you miles away but often it is just one step,

That makes you think of how to escape

Which path to take. Like the red thread that guides you

out of your Labyrinth"



Hey, if they were as good as Nightwish, Cast Away would be a five star album, wouldn't it? I never meant that Visions of Atlantis could take the place of Nightwish or Within Temptation for that matter but these guys show promise and if you just can't get enough, Symphonic Melodic Metal, Visions of Atlantis probably a good quick fix for you.

"

If Nightwish were from Austria with full-time male vocals...

Michael R. Pawinski | Chicago, IL. | 04/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the result. Female vocals are opera like Tarja. She doesn't sing in the complete range of Tarja, but she comes close. The male vocals are a little annoying, I am not sure if it's the Austrian accent that kills it or his overall vocal ability. This would be a 5 star band if the male singer was something like say ... Bruce Dickinson. Imagine, a goth rock metal symphonic band with a female AND male opera trained singer. Now that would be nice. If you like Nightwish and Sonata Arctica, for sure check this out. But don't expect the quality you get from those two. If this compares to any past Nightwish album, it's Oceanborn because of the accentuated guitar work. Nightwish is still #1 in my book, but Visions of Atlantis' "Cast Away" deserves a spot in your collection."

Wow!

Music lover | 02/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought Visions of Atlantis' first cd, and although it was good, it didn't thrill me. Then I heard that they changed male vocalists and I bought their new one. I'm glad I did. This cd rocks! There isn't a song I don't like and the girl has a wonderful voice. So does the guy, who is ten times better then the first one, in my opinion. I am a huge fan of Nightwish, and this band is really one of the only ones who comes close, not to compare them or anything. Totally awesome!! Also, Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish does a guitar solo on Realm Of Fantasy."