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)
The Lighthouse
Vision Divine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Lyrics: Magnani]
In the night he called my name, I cannot forget
Face of a child, Angel eyes
In my dream he said today we'll find the way
For the new world we've been craving
Nothing more, then a sign out there
A lighthouse in the dark
Like an answer to your many prayers
You'll find salvation
A lighthouse in the dark
Like and anchor in a stormy sea
Showing you all the way
The last words the angel said, made him change his face
From a big smile he turned grey
"You don't know the human race, your big mistake.
You'll see what I mean with your eyes"
Nothing more, then a sign out there
"follow the light, you will find it"
A lighthouse in the dark
Like an answer to your many prayers
You'll find salvation
A lighthouse in the dark
Like an anchor in a stormy sea
Showing you all the way
[HOME! After so many years, I cannot believe it. While all of the crew
members are excited and use the capsules to leave the spaceship and to
land on the new planet. I am the last one still aboard. I ordered Elpis to
turn everything off and to get ready for the stand-by in orbit, but before
leaving myself to reach the new planet, I felt like writing a message on a
sheet of peper, like the old mariners used to do. I put it into a bottle and
I shot it in the direction of the Earth, even though I know that nobody will
ever read it. This was my very last message to my old home...]
The lyrics of Vision Divine's song, The Lighthouse, speak about a person's encounter with an angel in a dream who guides them towards finding a new world. The angel, with a childlike face and angelic eyes, instructs the person to follow the light, which will take them towards the new world. The light is symbolic of hope and guidance, acting as an answer to the person's prayers, an anchor in a storm, and a source of salvation. However, the angel warns the person that they will witness the flaws of the human race once they reach the new world. The song also ends with a message from the singer about writing a message in a bottle to their old home, which symbolizes their acceptance of moving on to a new world.
Through the lyrics, the band is highlighting the importance of hope, guidance, and salvation in life. The lighthouse is symbolic of these attributes, acting as a beacon of light to guide people towards a better future. However, the song also serves as a reminder that even after achieving what one desires, there may be challenges and obstacles that they will face.
Line by Line Meaning
In the night he called my name, I cannot forget
The singer was called in his dream by someone with an angelic face and he can never forget those divine features.
Face of a child, Angel eyes
The person who called out the singer in his dream had an innocent face and eyes that resembled those of an angel.
In my dream he said today we'll find the way
The singer received a message from the angelic figure stating that they both would discover the pathway for a new world they have been seeking.
For the new world we've been craving
The duo who are communicating in the artist's dream desires an ideal world they've been yearning for.
Nothing more, then a sign out there
All they needed was a single sign to follow.
"Follow the light, you will find it"
The angel's instruction to the singer was to follow the light which would lead them to their destination.
A lighthouse in the dark
An illuminating beacon that shines amidst darkness.
Like an answer to your many prayers
The beacon was like an answer to a person's numerous prayers and pleadings.
You'll find salvation
Following the beacon's light will lead to salvation.
Like an anchor in a stormy sea
Similar to an anchor that holds a ship steady during rough waters, this beacon in the dark is a source of guidance.
Showing you all the way
The beacon will tell you how to reach your destination.
The last words the angel said, made him change his face
The artist's countenance changed when the angel imparted some last words of warning.
From a big smile he turned grey
The singer's cheerful expression faded away once he heard the angel's message.
"You don't know the human race, your big mistake.
The angel believed that the singer had a false perception of humanity, which was a grave blunder.
You'll see what I mean with your eyes"
The angel tells the singer that he will understand the true nature of humanity when he experiences it firsthand.
A lighthouse in the dark
Similar to before, the beacon represents guidance amidst darkness.
Like an answer to your many prayers
The beacon is a response to someone's pleas and prayers just like before.
You'll find salvation
Following the light of the beacon will lead to one's deliverance, like before.
Like an anchor in a stormy sea
Just like before, the beacon serves as a guide and support in times of trouble.
Showing you all the way
The beacon is a clear guide to lead you to your destination, as said earlier.
Contributed by Elizabeth S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.