VISIONOIR is a DarkWave/Gothic Metal band formed in Italy in 1998.  It is a solo project from creator Alessandro Sicur. He made his debut with this moniker shortly after with an EP entitled "Through the Inner Gate", then took a break for a few years. He went on writing and archiving new material and between 2015 and 2017 the first full-length album "The Waving Flame of Oblivion" (2017) finally took shape. In 2018, he got back in his studio to write and record his second album. Titled "The Second Coming," it contains ten new tracks.

"Lost in a Maze" leads off the album. It opens with a hard driving guitar riff and some keys. The harmonized vocals have a snarl to them. Some odd electronica comes into play and this is some intense and highly emotional music. "The Snooping Shadow" begins with spoken words and a dissonant guitar riff, along with more of those electrifying keyboards. Aside from the campy nature of the spoken words, this is a pretty well-crafted song. It takes a pause after the half-way mark and returns with renewed vigor until the end. "The Vulture Eye" is the longest on the album. It opens with more bizarre keys and a stalwart guitar riff. I understand the nature of the vocals for the style but they just come off as cheesy for me. That bossy keyboard section however is fantastic.

"Breathless" is a shorter track that begins with more layered vocal parts. Alessandro has a strong voice and I do not see the need or interest in the odd spoken words. "Horror Vacui" begins with some solemn, legato key notes that carry the melody. This melancholy song is augmented by saxophone notes that are both sad and eerie. Without any vocals, you can hear elements of brilliance at the composer's hands. "They Speak by Silences" begins with more spoken words and a harrowing sound from the guitars and keys. These songs without much vocal presence are more enjoyable to me. The piano notes are very well done. "No More" opens with a softer presence but still dark. Vocals are more present here, but are again quite odd. The music is strong and commanding however.

"Born Like This" begins with a slower pace with a steady dosing of keyboards. It's another track without "lyrics," because they are spoken softly in the background. Those keyboards are very well done...they might be the strong suit on the album. "Silent Sea" is another song without lyrics. Again, the quieter spoken words in the background often get in the way of the music coming through. The title track closes the album. Again, excellent keyboard and saxophone work. What an odd album indeed, however.

Overall, this was a curious listen. The instrumentation here is put together well and developed beyond the point of elementary songwriting. The layers he builds are both complex and dark, and although most of the vocals are sung, it's in that "in between" area where things get weird. I am not suggesting that he reconsider the vocals altogether, but more singing might go a long way to keep the album a little more "normal." If I could only cut the album into two parts...vocals and instruments...you would see what I am talking about.