Visions Of Atlantis – Ethera

Releasedate: 22-03-2013; Label: Napalm Records
By: Martine Goffard

Two years after “Delta” the Austrian band Vision of Atlantis is back with its new album “Ethera”. The band which has suffered from a comparison to Nightwish and Edenbridge in its beginning marks here its personality and particular sound.

The fans of the previous opus will probably enjoy this album. The band did not take much risks and stay, without surprise or originality, in the line of their other creations. Most songs are catchy. Maxi Nil shows that she is a very talented soprano and sings in perfect harmony with Mario Plank’s voice. Here and there we have a touch of electronic. Romantic violin and piano solos give an ethereal note to the epic atmosphere. However, there is a big let-down. “Ethera” never reaches the sublime “Delta”. We have no songs as breathtaking as Delta’s “Memento”, even “Clerics Emotion” looks like an unfinished symphony. The captivating “Hypnotized” gets a bit out of the lot, thanks to Maxi’s powerful chorus, but is not memorable. While composing the same kind of songs they have neglected the power in their metal, they have forgotten to spice the music of their magical universe. The keyboard is less dominant than on “Delta”, leaving more space to progressive and heavy metal. The songs may even sound a bit too similar at first sight, though that they hide deep complexity. To conclude, “Ethera” is a good album but it’s obvious that the symphonic band has not reached the limits of its possibilities. We already wait for the next one!

Line up
Maxi Nil- Vocals
Mario Plank- Vocals
Cris Tian- Guitars
Martin Harb- Keyboard
Thomas Caser- Drums

Tracklist: 01. The Ark 02. Machinage 03. Avatara 04. Vicious Circle 05. Hypnotized 06. Tlaluc’s Grace 07. Burden Of Divinity 08. Cave Behind The Waterfall 09. A.E.O.N. 19th 10. Bestiality vs. Integrity 11. Clerics Emotion

Links:
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