Vision Divine
Send Me an Angel

Second effort for Olaf Thorsen's band, led by the Lione/Thorse duo, a side project of the Labyrinth. I will start by saying that the album in question is not a concept album, although the lyrics remain focused on the struggle between good and evil.

Having said that, let's move on to the actual review.

Let's start with the production: excellent. This, in fact, highlights the guitars (the true protagonists), giving a heavier and rockier sound than the previous work, while staying within the classic power metal realm. It starts with a futuristic intro which immediately gives way to the first two killer songs: the title track in which Lione alternates growl-like vocals with clean singing, and the subsequent "Pain," another great heavy song. The power, however, comes back in songs like "Away From You" and "Pain" itself. Another noteworthy track is the power-progressive "The Call," while "Black & White" does not fail to amaze by alternating melodic and clean parts. There's also room for an instrumental, very Labyrinth-style, namely "Nemesis," which, despite having a stunning central break and an excellent final part, disgusts me with its initial riff identical to Metallica's "Master Of Puppets." This lapse in style will be costly for Vision Divine.

It beautifully closes with a really strange and fun cover of A-Ha's much-overplayed "Take On Me," reinvented in a metal style.

In conclusion, "Send Me an Angel," although an excellent work of power metal and, unfortunately, the usual power metal work that owes much to Labyrinth, showing little originality, monstrous instrumental technical skills (especially Olaf's guitar, always outstanding) and vocal skills (Lione is truly inspired). Yet, pardon me for repeating, it remains the usual Italian power-progressive metal work that adds nothing to the power cauldron. The progressive, moreover, is heard sporadically and only in some episodes. Therefore, power metal dominates, which, to me, has become slightly annoying. The first listen will be enjoyable for many of you, especially genre enthusiasts, but a second listen is really indigestible.

From my side, no strong criticism, however.