Formed in 1998 by Labyrinth guitarist Olaf Thorsen and future Rhapsody vocalist Fabio Lione, Italy's Vision Divine underwent some changes over the course of its first two albums but has now emerged with Stream of Consciousness, a strong progressive-metal disc with mainstream aspirations.
Weaving the tale of a madman in an asylum reflecting back on his path to insanity, Thorsen opens Stream of Consciousness with the main character scanning radio stations until settling on what sounds like a Whitney Houston tune (but isn't). Then comes "The Secret of Life," which introduces new singer Michele Luppi, a guy who possesses a strong and clear prog-metal voice – imagine an amalgam of Saga's Michael Sadler and Enchant's Ted Leonard, with mid-period Queensryche tendencies tossed in to keep things fun. Luppi is backed by memorable melodies, big choruses and enough power chords to make you pull out your air guitar. The heavier, longer songs are augmented by three shorter, softer instrumentals. Near the end, however, the album starts to drag.
Stream of Consciousness may be too melodic and polished for some listeners, but who cares? This is satisfying stuff and bodes well for this band's future. One of Metal Blade's best releases of 2004 ...
Track Listing:
1)Stream of Unconsciousness (0:57)
2) The Secret of Life (5:21)
3) Colours of My World (7:24)
4) In the Light (1:03)
5) The Fallen Feather (5:59)
6) La Vita Fugge (4:40)
7) Versions of the Same (4:43)
8) Through the Eyes of God (4:30)
9) Shades (5:59)
10) We Are, We Are Not (5:31)
11) Fool's Garden (1:51)
12) The Fall of Reason (1:48)
13) Out of the Maze (6:29)
14) Identities (5:367)
Total Time: 61:59