In my last review devoted to 'Visions Of Atlantis' (see here), I had regretted that they still performed too often in the first part and, the covid years, past, they are now a formation which finally ensures entire concerts: this long tour in the United States in 2021 which had been interrupted because of the global pandemic and which has been revised upwards as a sign to show this (well-deserved) notoriety in full growth at the international level. 2022 therefore sees the release of their new opus 'Pirates', which is devoted, as its name suggests, to the world of piracy and, the least we can say is that this album is a series of hits that parade one behind the other.
And it starts very strong with the beautiful skewer of the first 6 titles which each have their own personality: 'Pirates Will Return' opens hostilities with an epic symphonic composition that immediately highlights the vocal duo 'Clementine Delauney'/'Michele Guaitoli' with some haunting background vocals in the calmer parts of Clémentine. The stage is set and 'Melancholy Angel' (see the video above) continues in a more sedate atmosphere with a melodic jewel whose refrain will certainly remain engraved in your head for a long time and should make a whole concert audience sing, then, ' Master the Hurricane' (see the video here) regains vigor and offers us a single containing all the ingredients of what any lover of symphonic metal wishes to find in this style with a special mention for outstanding vocal arrangements. We continue with this piece full of enthusiasm that is 'Clocks' written by 'Michele Guaitoli' and which shows a marked and cadenced rhythm which gives an irresistible desire to accompany the ticking in time with an undisguised joy then, first moment of calm with the magnificent ballad 'Freedom' which allows a well-deserved break after so much energy. And it's with the other single 'Legions of the Seas' (see the video ici) that this first half of the album ends with a new epic title which has two beautiful breaks of intensity in which 'Clémentine Delauney' shows all her vocal talent. After this series of hits, we tell ourselves that it will be difficult to maintain such a level of quality and, however, thanks to a variety of styles, we remain glued to a 'Wild Elysium' which is eyeing symphonic metal à la 'Kamelot' with a remarkable orchestration and a 'Michele Guaitoli' who sounds like 'Tommy Karevik' in the verses. A rhythmic and dancing 'Darkness Inside' would certainly not have been denied by a certain 'Tarja' in an atmosphere almost of international variety (this not being at all pejorative) with some more saturated guitar riffs, then, 'In My World' brings the folk and festive side to 'Nighwish' thanks to the contribution of the flute of 'Ben Metzner' and thanks to a catchy melody and 'Mercy' takes us on a new melodic hit with magnificent vocal arrangements and a chorus to resume in chorus. And to end this very beautiful album, 'Heal the Scars' offers us a ballad filled with emotion which is to be added to the best ballads of metal but which, for my part, would have increased the emotional cursor if it had been sung in duo with 'Michele Guaitoli', my wish being granted with the epic 'I Will Be Gone' which ends in tranquility with some bagpipe notes.
In summary, 'Visions Of Atlantis' certainly offers us its best album with a series of varied compositions which each bring their personality in epic, rhythmic, festive and melodious atmospheres and 'Pirates' will certainly be an album which will turn into loop for all lovers and all lovers of symphonic metal... | |
