VISION DIVINE were formed in 1998 and they are from Massa, Italy. The symphonic Power Metal outfit release their nineth full-length album. The album has a length of about 48 minutes, and it was mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (DEATHLESS LEGACY; ELVENKING; TEMPERANCE) at the Dominion Studio. “Blood And Angels’ Tears” was released via Italian Power, Thrash, and Heavy Metal specialists Scarlet Records. The album starts with the orchestral and cinematic intro “Chapter I: War In Heaven”, which sets up the scene for an 11 chapter long epic journey. “Chapter II: The Ballet Of Blood And Angels’ Tears” is a fast track with powerful guitar riffing, supported by a lot of double-bass drumming and orchestral arrangements. The vocals vary between the medium to higher end of the vocal range with a few tonal shifts towards higher pitched notes. The track is a traditional Power Metal song at its core but enriched with operatic and symphonic elements. The arrangements are quite prominent, with the strings and the piano being in focus. The track transitions seamlessly into “Chapter III: Once Invincible”, which starts with a quiet guitar part leading into another fast track. While the verse parts include pace, aggression, tight riffing, and a double-bass thunderstorm, the chorus parts are mid-tempo with more focus on the melodies. The vocals are quite different as they are more aggressive during the verse parts, while they are more melodic by using higher notes during the chorus parts. Highlight is the extended lead guitar solo. “Chapter IV: Drink Our Blood” is a mid-tempo track with thunderous riffing during the verse parts. The vocals are two-parted with a mixture of deep-lying harsh vocals and clean higher notes during the verse parts. There are orchestral arrangements present in the song, but more in the background. The break leads to a couple of lead guitar and keyboard solos. During the break there are twists and turns in tempo and rhythm. The chorus parts build the main melodic framework of the track, and the chorus lines are almost anthemic.

“Chapter V: When Darkness Comes” has a quiet start with the guitars and the vocals at a measured tempo. It is a track with ballad-esque features with the slow verse parts and the powerful chorus parts with thunderous riffing and ballad typical chorus melodies. The track is supported by orchestral arrangements, however, they become notable and more prominent during the break leading up to the keyboard and lead guitar solo. “Chapter VI: Preys” has a strong start at mid-tempo with the guitar riffing and the orchestra led by the brass. The verse parts include again tight riffing and the double-bass thunderstorm. The chorus parts are melodic, epic, and have anthemic chorus lines. The highlight is the extended break with the very contributing lead guitar solo. The melodies of the track are catchy and “Chapter VI: Preys” would probably be part of every future setlist of the band. It is no surprise that the track has been released as official video, and the YouTube link is provided below. As I refused to call “Chapter V: When Darkness Comes” a ballad, “Chapter VII: A Man On A Mission” clearly is one. It is a short one and the vocals are just supported by the orchestra, led by the strings and the piano. It is a track for the vocalist to shine, and Ivan Giannini grabs the opportunity. “Chapter VIII: Go East” is a melodic mid-tempo track with tension-building verse parts, where the tension is released at the bridge, leading into the anthemic chorus parts with catchy melodies. The arrangements are an important part of the track as the strings support the tension-building during the verse parts. The highlight of the track is another contributing lead guitar solo.

“Chapter IX: The Broken Past” goes back to the well-tried traditional Power Metal vibes with a lot of pace and double-bass drumming, as well as with crushing guitar riffing. While the verse parts lean more towards mid-tempo, the chorus parts with the epic melodies are played blisteringly fast. The orchestral arrangements are more in the background but deliver a vital contribution to the track. “Chapter X: Dice And Dancers” comes with a change in sound. It is darker and heavier than most tracks during the verse parts, while during the chorus parts, the track enters familiar territory with catchy and anthemic melodies. It is a mid-tempo track with a couple of changes in rhythm when the break starts. The break begins with orchestral arrangements leading into a short lead guitar solo. The album ends with “Chapter XI: Lost” and it starts with the vocals accompanied by the piano. The track develops into another ballad with quiet verse parts and powerful, guitar-driven chorus parts. Despite the thunderous guitar riffing, the main element of the track is the piano that is present throughout. It is a good way to end the album, although in my opinion, it is one ballad too many on the album.

VISION DIVINE deliver a good symphonic Power Metal album. “Blood And Angels’ Tears” is a diverse album with many influences present, predominantly traditional Power Metal, symphonic Metal, and melodic Metal. Signature elements of the album sound are the melodic and often epic chorus parts. The songwriting of the songs is very mature. The album is well produced. “Blood And Angels’ Tears” is an album for symphonic Metal and Power Metal fans, and I am sure they will like what they hear.