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September 7, 2008 |
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VISION DIVINE - Stream Of Consciousness
Metal Blade (2004) |
5.5/10 |
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01. Chapter I: Stream Of Unconsciousness
02. Chapter II: Secret Of Life
03. Chapter III: Colours Of My World
04. Chapter IV: In The Light (Instrumental)
05. Chapter V: The Fallen Feather
06. Chapter VI: La Vita Fugge
07. Chapter VII: Versions Of The Same
08. Chapter VIII: Through The Eyes Of God
09. Chapter IX: Shades
10. Chapter X: We Are, We are Not
11. Chapter XI: Fool's Garden (Instrumental)
12. Chapter XII: The Fall Of Reason (Instrumental)
13. Chapter XIII: Out Of The Maze
14. Chapter XIV: Identities
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VISION DIVINE (Michele Luppi/Vocals, Olaf Thorsen/Guitars, Matteo Amoroso/Drums, Oleg Smirnoff/Keyboards, Andrea 'Tower' Torricini/Bass, and Federico Puleri/Guitars) are an Italian Prog/Power Metal outfit now three albums deep into their career. For the most part I generally enjoy Prog/Power Metal. Some of my favourite bands of all time fall under said moniker (although usually leaning more towards the 'Power' end of the spectrum than the 'Prog'!); I mean, who can deny the impact of bands such as HELLOWEEN, STRATOVARIUS, GAMMA RAY, DREAM THEATER, and FATES WARNING, to name but a handful of classic acts who have not only influenced the progression of the Prog/Power subgenre in particular, but Heavy Metal as a whole!?!
Such luminaries aside however, most fans of this particular branch of the Metal family tree will doubtless agree with my assertion that the surplus of copycats has, quite frankly, overwhelmed and choked the scene to the point where there is arguably more musical chaff of late, than wheat.
But I digress. Back to VISION DIVINE and their latest release 'Stream Of Consciousness'.
I'm going to just come right out and say it: This didn't do anything for me. No, I'm not some basement-dwelling curmudgeon clad all in black and hissing malevolently when assailed by the heavenly sound of a major chord progression, a clear, recognizably human vocal, or an uplifting flourish of keys. Nor am I a tattooed n' pierced, three-quarter-length shorts n' baseball cap wearin' fratboy whose lower lip juts out in sullen confusion when forced to deal with an alloy of Metal packaged without the mosh.
Nope. None of the above. As stated, this is a subgenre I generally really enjoy. But I do know what I like, and man, this just isn't it. 'Stream Of Consciousness' is not exactly what I would call a 'horrible' piece of work. But given the sheer amount of bands in the Prog/Power subgenre playing both at and above this level, I'd be writing a dishonest review if I didn't admit that I find this to be somewhat sub-par. To my ears it's just overwrought, unfocused, and betrays a band who aren't playing to their true strengths, but rather are unconsciously regurgitating the sum of their influences. The technical ability is there. Guitarists Thorsen and Puleri have chops, but never seem to hit upon a memorable riff. Vocalist Michele Luppi does a great James LaBrie, but I can't help but want to hear more of his own personality shine through.
The whole recording sounds like a collection of less-than-memorable moments from albums by STRATOVARIUS, DREAM THEATER, and QUEENSRŸCHE strung together into a patchwork of sounds. It all just seems so hopelessly derivative that I can't help but wonder what the band's original aim was. What's ultimately missing is any sense of purpose or direction. Is this trying to be Power Metal, or is it trying to be pure Prog!?! I honestly can't tell as the music on display here is so schizophrenic and unfocused. First off, this is just way too long and attempts to pack too much into one album. Apparently it's supposed to be some sort of 'Concept' piece, but just what that concept is, remains a mystery...to me at least. As a result, there are a lot of ideas strewn about with very little cohesion. Three instrumentals??? THREE??? Come on guys.
Secondly, this is supposed to be POWER Metal. Where is the Power? Most of this runs at such a relaxed, mid-paced tempo that I found it hard after awhile to determine much variation between tracks. Nothing really jumped out at me in a way that made any one track memorable enough to want to replay it. 'Versions Of The Same' and 'Through The Eyes Of God' almost briefly touch upon a kind of magic, but then lose it just as quickly in a miasma of aimlessness such as the majority of this release sadly drowns in. Thirdly, I need more guitars. This is just too heavy on the keys for me. I've always thought of the keyboard as an instrument best suited to accompany the guitarists. As a lead instrument it tends to fall flat quickly.
I don't know. I hate being so brutally critical of other people's art. It's always one thing to praise an album. It's another kettle of fish entirely to say you don't like it. After all, regardless of what I think, the artists are the ones who have poured their hearts and souls into it. But nevertheless, opinions on the quality of said art are ultimately subjective, so I wouldn't be doing anyone any favours by heaping dishonest praise upon a release that doesn't measure up for me. Personally, I think 'Stream Of Consciousness' would have had more of an impact if it were cut down to say, eight tracks rather than fourteen, with less attention on Progressive technicality and a little more on memorable song construct and the ability to build strong, hooky riffs. All good music has it's foundation in strong construct. Everything else follows. As it stands though, this is a classic case of too much butter, and not enough potato.
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