I recall that these guys sparked my attention with their debut album a year ago or so (The Death Ship Has A New Captain). Of course the fact that I am not very fond of such acts could have been a countermeasure but in the end I really happen to like their sound. I was very happy when their second attempt, Carpathia - A Dramatic Poem, reached my door.
The Vision Bleak started as a project of Ulf Theodor Schwadorf (Empyrium, Noekk) and Allen B. Konstanz (Nox Mortis, Ewigheim) and as I can see they still remain the main core of the band. Those of you who think this is nothing more than a studio project, think again since the band also performed several live shows shortly after the release of their debut work (with the addition of course of session musicians).
Some describe the band's music as shock Rock or Death 'n' Roll. I am not really a sucker for labels (especially in something so bizarre as the music of those lads). As a base The Vision Bleak use a heavy theatrical set up, soundtrack-like, with lots of keyboards, choirs, different styles of vocals. However (and especially in this second album) the Metal instruments are in a front row seat (I guess this has something to do with their live experience) creating a powerful contradiction to the whole atmospheric factor.
Carpathia is actually a concept album. A businessman inherits the old estates of his family and wanders through the Carpathian Mountains, becoming more and more under a ban of the place and at the end even cursed and possessed. Spooky...
Compared to their debut Carpathia is definitely more heavy, more Metal if you prefer. As I mentioned earlier, it seems that the band's live experience worked in favor of that aspect. Still they are quite theatrical - the great production helps them a lot. Not too often albums like this one hit the market and to be honest I think this one can attract a rather odd variety of listeners. Fans of horror and atmosphere have just found a really interesting piece of work to examine. Can you say Kutulu?