Vision Divine - Stream Of Consciousness (2004)

There are times (when listening to a musical act from any genre) when one has to say, "Look, I've tried, but they're just not doing it for me, so I'll leave them." On this blog, I've pulled the plug on several bands, including Sinergy, Manticora and, perhaps most contentiously (since they're quite popular), Labyrinth (four albums in, and I still couldn't get a handle on them).
After two underwhelming efforts from Vision Divine, I was considering giving them the old heave ho as well, but I'm so glad I haven't, for this album blows the first two out of the water.
Fabio Lione has gone from the mic, to be replaced by Michael Luppi which, must be said, is an improvement in itself, and what we have is fourteen "chapters" (a mixture of songs and a few instrumental vignettes) which seem to convey a story of someone's battle with mental illness.
It balances the extravagances of progressive metal with the melodies and speed of power ideally, with such songs as "Colours Of My World", "La vita fugge", "Shades" and "We Are, We Are Not" deft and captivating, gradually pulling the listener in with their graceful melodies and song structures. The instrumentation is first rate, and I particularly like the electronic touches here and there.
This doesn't leap on the listener instantly like the most poppy of power metal bands, but neither does it alienate with endless, complex noodling. It gets the balance just right, and shows that Vision Divine really do have something to offer.

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