Band name: Visions of AtlantisTitle: Trinity
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Release date: 2007-05-23 (FIN) 2007-05-25 (GER, AUS, SWE) 2007-05-28 (Europe) 2007-06-05 (USA)
Record Company/Label: Napalm Records
Introduction
After a first demo released in 2000, Eternal Endless Infinity (2002) and Cast Away (2004), Trinity is the third album the Austrian band Visions of Atlantis. Their music is in the register of heavy power symphonic metal, very often compared with Nightwish, offering easy listening catchy melodies with two melodic voices, a male and a female. The compositions are not as rich as Nightwish, but a few bands in the plethora of bands following the power symphonic metal style in the last ten years can pretend to be as close of Nightwish as Visions of Atlantis.
After having replaced two band members in 2003,the band underwent another substantial change in line up in 2005, replacing three of the six members. Wolf K. replaced Werner Fiedler at the guitars, Martin Harb replaced Miro Holly at the keyboards, and, last but not least, the vocalist Nicole Bogner was replaced by the classically trained soprano Melissa Ferlaak (Minnesota, USA). I had already the chance to see Melissa perform live in October 2006 at the Metal Female Voices Festival and was impressed by her voice although she declared she was not in great form and was only singing at 50% of her capacity! So, it is with full expectations that I discovered this new album.
As with the Internet everything becomes possible, I also asked Melissa to comment the songs, what she kindly accepted, with the assistance of Wolf as he was the most involved in the writing of the music.
The theme of the album is literally going out of the water, as depicted in the beautiful cover artwork representing three shapes in stone raising out of the water as also explained by Melissa in her introductory comments:
Mel: 'To start off, I must say that the overall tone of this album is one that is very personal. Rather than take the direction of previous albums of writing stories based on mythological themes. Instead, we have treated water as a metaphor. Every song is based on personal experience, emotions, profound thought and philosophical ideas. But let me say, that these songs were written with the hopes that everyone can find some personal connection somewhere in some song, so I hope that what I say below doesn’t change any song’s special meaning to YOU.'
Line-up
Melissa Ferlaak - Vocals
Mario Plank - Vocals
Thomas Caser - Drums
Mike Koren - Bass
Wolf K - Guitars
Martin Harb - Keyboards
Mario Plank - Vocals
Thomas Caser - Drums
Mike Koren - Bass
Wolf K - Guitars
Martin Harb - Keyboards
Website
Song Review
01. At the Back of Beyond - 3:29
The album opens with a very power metal style of song with a symphonic intro in the style of Nightwish and Epica. Melissa's voice is leading, with Mario responding in a more aggressive tone than in the previous album. Also the guitars, drums and bass are more present, which makes the song more rythmic. After the middle there is a nice short passage introduced by a nice operatic vocal exercise of Melissa, reinforced by heavy guitar riffs and followed by a prog guitar solo as appearing in the older songs of VoA. This first song is a nice catchy song in the tradition of VoA, yet a little bit more rythmic and aggressive, but not revealing substantial innovation.
Mel: 'Basically, this song reflects that of wanting but cannot having, barriers, but there is a light which propels us forward. That memories or thoughts can act as comfort and as guidance in times of desolation. It is a song of hope truly. '
Wolf: 'fast-forward song with some Speed- or Powermetal-influences. Definitely fun to play live. Interesting is that we wanted to drop this song previously, but then Mario and me sat around, dropped another song, added the chorus from that one to ATBOB – boom, finished :) Quite Heavy “Nu”-Metal Part in the middle, showing the first time that things have changed a bit on this one ;) In the very first version, when Mario had no own vocal for the verse, he used some from the Death-Metal band Benediction. So this song was long called “rip the bitch” by us :D' (Mel: Yeah, that lyric was changed instantly. Ha ha!)
Wolf: 'fast-forward song with some Speed- or Powermetal-influences. Definitely fun to play live. Interesting is that we wanted to drop this song previously, but then Mario and me sat around, dropped another song, added the chorus from that one to ATBOB – boom, finished :) Quite Heavy “Nu”-Metal Part in the middle, showing the first time that things have changed a bit on this one ;) In the very first version, when Mario had no own vocal for the verse, he used some from the Death-Metal band Benediction. So this song was long called “rip the bitch” by us :D' (Mel: Yeah, that lyric was changed instantly. Ha ha!)
02. The Secret - 4:11
A piano intro followed by a symphonic melody in the style of VoA leads to the first verse sung by Melissa. This style of symphonic heavy intro followed by a soft voice passage is common for VoA, although this time I personally find the transition much smoother and better arranged than in the past. The first part of the chorus is sung by Mario, followed by Melissa and finally they both sing in duo, supported by subtle guitar riffs giving more energy top the song. Melissa and Mario singing together in duo, instead of just alterning is one of the innovations of this new album. Their voices are well balanced and complement each other very well. On the last verse, Melissa demonstrates her talent of classical soprano with extremey high vocals. This passage is immediately followed by another guitar solo strengthen by speed drums and bass. In conclusion, this is another easy to listen catchy song, with some research and innovation in the composition.
Mel: 'This song is personal to me and was a strong emotion which forced me to write it. It is about an artist and a muse. The artist longs deeply to have this muse, but risks losing inspiration by making this fantasy a reality. It is a song of intense emotions of love and lust, but love and lust do not begin to describe the overcoming emotions which this artist have for this muse, it goes far beyond divinity even. Intense desire is the overall theme of this.'
Wolf: 'A song I previously didn´t like. Mel saved this one with dropping the whole previous vocal line, adding hers and her lyrics. After that, suddenly the song had a completely different feeling, now being strong and catchy. '
03. Passing Dead End - 4:25
Another traditional speed power metal song with Mario opening the first verse a bit in the style of Sonata Artica, followed by a verse sung by Melissa. Here again Melissa and Mario perform a nice duo in the chorus. As in the first song, Melissa's voice introduces a prog guitar solo passage followed by a final repeat of the chorus.
Mel: 'Have you ever had a friend who was so depressed and you couldn’t do a single thing, as much as you try, to help this friend out? That’s what this song is about. It is about wanting this friend to see the beauty of life, the good in themselves which you see, and this friend cannot see it. '
Wolf: 'I refer to that one as “the Rock song”, cause it has a certain Rock n Roll vibe in the verse. Mario did a great chorus melody, so I just imitated with the guitar and it sounded good right away. Mike added the progressive parts then – finished. '
Wolf: 'I refer to that one as “the Rock song”, cause it has a certain Rock n Roll vibe in the verse. Mario did a great chorus melody, so I just imitated with the guitar and it sounded good right away. Mike added the progressive parts then – finished. '
04. The Poem - 5:24
The tempo slows down in this song which is more in the style of a progressive rock ballad, with Mario leading the vocals, Melissa singing one verse and the last iteration of the chorus in duo with Mario.
Mel: 'This is a story of a man writing a poem to his love, no longer on this earthly realm. He is on the verge of taking his own life in order to be with his love again, and he hears her calling and lamenting from the other side. A song of true love separated too soon. '
Wolf: 'Keyboard-dominated slow rocksong, mainly taking his power out of Mario´s voice and the slow, hypnotic beat. '
Wolf: 'Keyboard-dominated slow rocksong, mainly taking his power out of Mario´s voice and the slow, hypnotic beat. '
05. Nothing Left - 3:11
The tempo accelerates again in this song, lead by the drums, bass, guitars and keys all together. The verses are sung in alternance by Melissa and Mario, being again more aggressive here. The chorus is again a nice duo and there is a short passage of guitar solo. This is the shortest song of the album and you quicky and easily get through it without much surprise.
Mel: 'Intense hatred, a song full of revenge for who has wronged you so terribly.'
Wolf: 'Straight headbanging song, that reminds me a lot of In Flames when I heard the keyboard sound the first time. As far as I remember, this was the first one written for Trinity :) '
Wolf: 'Straight headbanging song, that reminds me a lot of In Flames when I heard the keyboard sound the first time. As far as I remember, this was the first one written for Trinity :) '
06. My Darkside Home - 4:06
This song is different from what we are used to hear from VoA and sounds more contemporary. The song has a nice melody and is lead in the vocals by Mario, much more aggressive on this one, even grunting at the end. Melissa is singing here somehow more in back vocals. The style of this song is more distant from a the symphonic metal style and is getting closer to style of Evanescence. An interesting turn from VoA.
Mel: 'This is a song of reflection on memories, which has caused one to life in a life of desperation, full of darkness. It is about being so overcome by memories which cannot be let go. Memories so tangible they haunt you. '
Wolf: 'It took a long time to convince some members that this song was cool. It´s totally groovy and could be called US-Metal, and has pushed VoA much further beyond it´s limits than every song before. Mario and I fought for this one, and we succeeded. Marios vocals are awesome and more aggressive than ever and Melissa adds wonderful harmonies to the chorus. '
Wolf: 'It took a long time to convince some members that this song was cool. It´s totally groovy and could be called US-Metal, and has pushed VoA much further beyond it´s limits than every song before. Mario and I fought for this one, and we succeeded. Marios vocals are awesome and more aggressive than ever and Melissa adds wonderful harmonies to the chorus. '
07. Wingshaped Heart - 4:37
This song is also different, a more guitar dominated song which I would more qualify as melodic progressive metal rather than symphonic metal. Although Melissa sings the first verse, the vocals in this song are again leady by Mario, with Melissa singing in duo for the chorus. The second half of the song contains again a nice prog metal passage. The vocal performance of Mario in this song is remarkable.
Mel: 'Finally, coming out of the gloom! Haha! This song is about intense love… you know the kind of love that makes your heart pump harder and gives you butterflies in your stomach as though your heart might float right out of your chest? Yeah…that kind of love! '
Wolf: 'Also one of the first songs and my favourite on Trinity. Fast forward again, good interludes and a great chorus. In the second verse we even have a little Thrash part ;) '
08. Return to You - 5:14
The most awesome song and biggest revelation of this album, which may give you shivers! Just a slow piano melody to introduce the beautiful soft voice of Melissa. Her talent and passion is clearly demonstrated in this ballad. No doubt that Melissa is one of the greatest voices on the metal scene. She has nothing to envy from Tarja, Floor, Simone, ...
Mel: 'I wrote this song as a memorial to my niece Teagan Ferlaak, who was tragically killed in 2001. She was only 4 years old. If you would like to know more, just Google: Teagan Ferlaak and you can read her story. Such light in that child, so tragically lost. But soon we will be united again. I think for anyone who has lost a child or a young member of your family will especially relate to this. '
Wolf: 'Nothing to add. Melissa showing her passion and skills here, nothing else matters in this song. '
09. Through My Eyes - 4:14
This is another guitar dominated song, with a nice melody, very intense and catchy. Probably one of the best pieces of Trinity, containing all the elements VoA have been innovating with, with a excellent balance between the voices of Melissa and Mario, singing both in alternance and together, Melissa having the opportunity to sing again very high in an operatic style. Also a remarkable performance of Mario.
Mel: 'This is a duet of the blame game that lovers go through post-fight. It is actually a fun song to do for me… kind of that stupidity that lovers go through when they are in the heat of a fight. But of course, when you are in that moment, it doesn’t seem so stupid. Haha! Oh, and the “Forgotten, Forsaken, Awoken, etc” part is a melodic theme taken from the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart’s Magic Flute. ;) I just love those big octave leaps! '
Wolf: 'Again, totally different form anything else VoA has done before. Way heavier and deeper in the chorus, this one features the first atonal riffs in VoA history till it opens up in a speed-metal like chorus. '
Wolf: 'Again, totally different form anything else VoA has done before. Way heavier and deeper in the chorus, this one features the first atonal riffs in VoA history till it opens up in a speed-metal like chorus. '
10. Flow This Desert - 4:43
This song is again different from the traditional VoA and is more in the style of melodic power metal than symphonic, dominated by guitars, bass and drums, with the keys more in background. The first verse is sung by Melissa, in a very operatic style even giving suprinsingly an aggressive tone on this one. The chorus is again a beautiful duo. The second verse is interpreted by Mario with a clear voice. The last verse is interesting; while the drums bass and guitars give a fast tempo, Melissa is singing at a slower rythm a bit in the style of Simone of Epica. Fast guitar riffs close the track.
Mel: 'Have you been a place before where your intentions felt right but somehow you ended up in a completely different place than you intended? You keep trekking forward because any glimpse back could throw you completely off course. Hee hee…like George Bush! Haha! '
Wolf: 'Originally, the intro was intended to be a classical piece, but it was changed by Martin who thought it really was a song about the desert ;) Therefore an Arabian style intro. Again, not typical VoA, you have an middle part that almost sounds like Hypocrisy, and a Thrash metal ending :) '
Wolf: 'Originally, the intro was intended to be a classical piece, but it was changed by Martin who thought it really was a song about the desert ;) Therefore an Arabian style intro. Again, not typical VoA, you have an middle part that almost sounds like Hypocrisy, and a Thrash metal ending :) '
11. Seven Seas - 4:10
The album concludes with something again very different: a very symphonic, hymn-like track. The song starts with a slow piano melody introducing the voice of Melissa like in "Return for You" followed by a heavy symphonic hymn leading to the the second part of the verse interpreted by Mario in a clear voice. The chorus is another beautiful duo. The style of this song naturally reminds the style of Epica and Kamelot.
Mel: 'This is our homage to the former themes of Visions of Atlantis. It is our sea-faring quest song. A siren calls a sailor from beyond the depths of the sea, calling him deeper and deeper into the depths. '
Wolf: 'Often referred (by certain band members) to as “Spartakus” , “Rambo” or “Das Boot” cause of his movie-score like feeling. Mike laid a strong groove over the thing, I threw in some easy guitars and Tommy added the rhythm – done. '
Technical information
Total playing time: 47:44 min
Total numbers: 11
Total numbers: 11
Cover
Conclusion
Trinity is definitely an album that will please the fans of Visions of Atlantis. The recording and mixing is of good quality and the music has evolved from the previous album. It is not a spectacular change, nor for the band, neither something new in the symphonic metal scene, but a true evolution and an album that is easy to listen to. Although the album contains some songs that remain very much in line with the previous work of VoA, in the line of Nightwish, overall it is a bit less symphonic and more metal, with a stronger presence of the guitars and the bass, giving more rythm and energy to the songs. Also the voices have quite evolved. The voice of Melissa is much clearer than Nicole's and at the same time, Mario is being more aggressive and brought more in the front, which gives an interesting combination. The two voices are very well balanced and give beautiful duos. Finally, the new, more modern and speed-metal like, directions explored in some tracks may also interest and attract the fans of music in the style of Epica and Kamelot, and also, why not, Evanescence...
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extra's: 8
Total: 8,3
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