Originally a solo project from Olaf Thörsen (born Carlo Andrea Magnani). Soon, Fabio Lione rejoined him after the first Labyrinth period ("No Limits"), and then what was supposed to be a solo project quickly turns into a band, taking its new name from Labyrinth's previous name ("Vision") and from the title that was supposed to be given to Olaf's first solo album ("Divine"). Completing the line up Mat Stancioiu (drums), Andrew McPauls (keyboards) and Andrea "Tower" Torricini (bass).
In its first three years the band released two albums, and started touring (South American Tour in December 2000), where for the first time an Italian heavy metal band got the chance to play (and sold-out) in countries like Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Panama and Mexico.
In 2001, the band started writing and recording the new album, titled "Send Me An Angel", that was released in January 2002. At the end of the same year, Olaf decided to leave Labyrinth, to focus just on Vision and also deciding to stop any rumours from some magazine, pretending to consider Vision as nothing but a "side project". For the same reason Andrew and Mat split from the band and were replaced by Oleg Smirnoff at keyboards (ex Eldritch) and Matteo Amoroso at drums (ex Athena). In 2003 the band started the songwriting for the third album, when Fabio started having some problem regarding the co-existence of his career and Vision Divine related duties. After a few months, they mutually agreed to split. They then proceeded to add new singer Michele Luppi, a vocalist with a previous experience in live performances. With this new line-up they completed the final songs for the album that was to be titled "Stream of Consciousness". The album was released in April 2004.
With a brand new line-up and with renewed ambitions the band canceled any previous deal, deciding to join Scarlet Records for the Italian territory, King Records for the Japanese territory and Metal Blade for the rest of the world. In 2005, the band released "The Perfect Machine", which was recorded at Goldenworks Mixing Suite studio and produced by Stratovarius' leader Timo Tolkki.
In 2006, Andrea "Tower" Torricini left the band for not being able to guarantee full-time dedication to the band[citation needed], and Cristiano Bertocchi replaced him. By September, "The Perfect Machine", according to their website "was immediately described as one of the best Italian metal releases ever, becoming one of Scarlet's all time best-sellers". A new digipack was released containing four bonus tracks. Also, Riccardo "Ricky" Quaggliatto left the band due to personal problems, replaced by new drummer Alessandro Bissa.
In 2007 Vision Divine recorded their album, "The 25th Hour", along with Timo Tolkki and Alessandro Bissa in New Sin Studios. It was released on June 29, 2007.
In April 2008 Vision Divine announced Michele Luppi is no longer singing with Vision Divine, and in May 2008 Olaf Thörsen announced that Fabio Lione rejoined the band as a full-time vocalist.
Vision Divine released their sixth album, "9 Degrees West of the Moon",on January 23, 2009, the first with Lione on vocals after Michele Luppi's departure.
In 2012 Vision Divine signed with EarMusic/Edel Group Records and released their seventh studio album entitled "Destination Set to Nowhere" on September 14, 2012.
In 2016, the band announced drummer Alessandro Bissa decided to peacefully part ways and announced Mike Terrana as the new member.
On April 28, 2018, Fabio had announced his second departure from the band. In December 2018, the band hired formed Derdian singer Ivan Giannini as new lead vocalist. They released their first single called "Angel of Revenge" on 9 December 2018.
Discography
Albums
1999 - Vision Divine
2002 - Send Me an Angel
2004 - Stream of Consciousness
2005 - The Perfect Machine
2007 - The 25th Hour
2009 - 9 Degrees West of the Moon
2012 - Destination Set to Nowhere
2019 - When All The Heroes Are Dead
Demos
1999 - Symmetry - The Official Demo series Vol 3
2002- Colours Of My World
Members
Current members
Olaf Thörsen - Guitar (1998–present)
Andrea "Tower" Torricini - Bass (1999-2006, 2012–present)
Federico Puleri - Guitar (2002–present)
Alessio "Tom" Lucatti - Keyboard (2006–present)
Mike Terrana - Drums (2016–present)
Ivan Giannini - Vocals (2018 - present)
Former members
Fabio Lione - Vocals (1998-2003, 2008–2018)
Alessandro "Bix" Bissa - Drums (2006-2016)
Michele Luppi - Vocals (2003-2008)
Cristiano Bertocchi - Bass (2006-2012)
Andrew Mc Pauls - Keyboard (1999-2002)
Oleg Smirnoff - Keyboard (2002-2005)
Mat Stancioiu - Drums (1999-2002)
Matteo Amoroso - Drums (2003-2005)
Ricky Quagliato - Drums (2005-2006)
Danil Morini - Drums (2005) (session music)
Shades
Vision Divine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ugly grim grey skies
Found a mirror with my eyes
Flowing deep inside my veins
Questions and answers
Running round and round too fast
Sliding down to my chest
Images melt in my mind
With my memories I left back
Present and future all together with past
Your holy touch ain't protecting me
Under the sand of all my tears
All that is left is a bunch of meaningless words
Shades of me and you here and then
Flying upon my daemons
Reaching for visions of the path we walk through
Shades of grey turning red
My life has run much too fast
Our flight has ended here, together we're falling again
So many traces
Of the man that I have been
Where are my golden years?
You're trying to lead me
To a point of no return
Visions melt with my memories
A breeze on my skin is drawing
Lines with the tears along my face
Scares of a crying conscience, blaming at me
Maybe I've lost my sanity
I was, I will be or I am
Whatever it is I won't be the same, that's for sure
Shades of me and you here and then
Flying upon my daemons
Reaching for visions of the path we walk through
Shades of grey turning red
My life has run much too fast
Our flight has ended here, together we're falling again
Shades of me and you here and then
Flying upon my daemons
Reaching for visions of the path we walk through
Shades of grey turning red
My life has run much too fast
Our flight has ended here
Together we're falling... Together we're falling again
The lyrics to Vision Divine's song "Shades" reflect a sense of confusion and melancholy in the singer's life. The imagery of "ugly grim grey skies" and "flowing deep inside my veins" suggests a feeling of heaviness and emotional turmoil. The singer is grappling with questions and seeking answers, but feels like everything is moving too quickly, leaving them struggling to catch up. The line "your holy touch ain't protecting me" suggests a sense of isolation and detachment from a higher power or from other people who may have offered comfort in the past. The singer is left with "a bunch of meaningless words," indicating possible disillusionment with something they once held dear.
The second verse continues the theme of searching for answers and grappling with memory, as the singer wonders where their "golden years" have gone and is trying to make sense of the confusing "traces" of their past self. There is a sense of fear or foreboding, as the singer worries about being led to "a point of no return" and questions their own sanity. The repeated refrain of "shades of me and you" suggests that the singer is also grappling with a sense of identity and their place in relationships or in the world at large.
The song itself is musically intense and moody, with a driving beat and a guitar riff that echoes the sense of confusion and turmoil in the lyrics. The contrast between the somber verses and the more upbeat chorus creates a sense of tension that matches the singer's emotional state. The song is also notable for its use of layered vocals and harmonies, which add to the sense of complexity and depth in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Ugly grim grey skies
The dark and hopeless atmosphere around me
Found a mirror with my eyes
Realizing the gravity of my situation
Flowing deep inside my veins
Emotions and fears are consuming me
Questions and answers
Uncertainty and doubt constantly plague my mind
Running round and round too fast
Frustrated by the constant mental struggle
Sliding down to my chest
Feeling overwhelmed and defeated
Images melt in my mind
Memories and dreams are slowly fading away
With my memories I left back
Regretting choices made in the past
Present and future all together with past
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward
Your holy touch ain't protecting me
Lacking comfort and support from a higher power
Under the sand of all my tears
Burying emotions and pain that I can't express
All that is left is a bunch of meaningless words
Words can't accurately describe what I'm feeling
Shades of me and you here and then
Memories of our relationship haunt me
Flying upon my daemons
Haunted by inner demons and fears
Reaching for visions of the path we walk through
Trying to find direction and purpose in life
Shades of grey turning red
The monotony of life is becoming unbearable
My life has run much too fast
Feeling like time is running out
Our flight has ended here, together we're falling again
Our relationship has fallen apart and we're both hurt
So many traces
There are many reminders of my past
Of the man that I have been
I'm reminded of who I used to be
Where are my golden years?
Wondering where my happiness went
You're trying to lead me
Feeling like someone is controlling my life
To a point of no return
Afraid of the decisions I'm making and their consequences
A breeze on my skin is drawing
A change in direction or mood is coming
Lines with the tears along my face
Crying has become a common occurrence
Scares of a crying conscience, blaming at me
Feeling guilty and blaming myself for past mistakes
Maybe I've lost my sanity
Wondering if I've completely lost touch with reality
I was, I will be or I am
Contemplating my existence and purpose in life
Whatever it is I won't be the same, that's for sure
Knowing that change is inevitable and will affect me greatly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind