Their uniquely engaging North American tour runs through March 5, with dates almost nightly.
Score: 10/10
By Bryan Ahearn
DENVER—The year was 2020, and the concert world went into lockdown, resulting in cancelled concerts, dashed hopes, and in many cases…bands not only finding not only having to find their way home, but one day…knowing, that they would need to find their way back.
For artistry is a restless soul, and not all wander are lost…
So perhaps it is with that sentiment that the latest album from Visions of Atlantis, 2022’s Pirates, comes off as sounding triumphant, standing confidently in resolute in the face of the winds of uncertainty that could have prevented their proverbial ship from ever coming to port in the US ever again.
Yet, pirates will return. They always do.
And, indeed on Monday, 13 February in Denver, Colorado at the Oriental Theater, Visions of Atlantis, the pirate-themed, symphonic metal band from Europe, did return (again)—all the way back to the United States for their 2023 Pirates Over North America Tour. And their return could not have been more epic, or welcomed.
“I’ll know I’ll return, one day, to this world I knew.”
– Master The Hurricane
The night opened with “Master The Hurricane,” a metaphoric rock anthem—seemingly for both the enthusiastic fans that had found their way back to Denver’s Oriental Theater in droves, and, for the band that refused to let the pandemic stop them from doing what they love, and clearly, what they are so gifted at doing.
From the fog-ringed blue stage lights, the band emerged slowly, clad in classy, authentic-looking (and highly fashionable) pirate garb, every bit the indominable image called to mind from a band that prides themselves upon the pirate spirit—only with a twist: This band of pirates, in large part, is led by a woman.
Anyone that has seen frontwoman Clémentine Delauney perform can’t help but feel led by her. Anyone that has heard her sing cannot help but be inspired by her. With her poetically striking lyrics, angelic voice and a commanding stage presence that evokes a carefree confidence, the smiles on concert goers proves she is that rare elixir for pretty much anything.
“Braving the clock takes its power away.”
— Clocks
Followed by classics “New Dawn,” and “A Life Of Our Own,” the show went to the next level with “Clocks,” with its bouncy chorus and balanced interaction from the band’s talented and charmingly emotive male vocalist Michele “Meek” Guaitoli, playfully interacting with the crowd and imploring the type of ‘Hey-Hey-Hey’ chants that would not be out of place on any pirate ship.
I knew that Meek was one of my favorite vocalists for Visions of Atlantis, and I love how his parts always come in at just the right moment during each song—especially on their Pirates album. But seeing him perform that night in Denver—the way he bonded with the crowd with his fist pumps and playful banter—Meek became not just one of my favorite performers—but one of the best showman I’ve ever experienced. This includes concerts. This includes Broadway. This even includes Disney.
Meek even came out after the show, into the audience, personally and genuinely thanked us for coming, graciously taking photos, and having sincere conversations with fans about music, the lockdown, past concerts—whatever.
“I will tell no common’s man tale.”
— Freedom
Next came longtime fan favorites “The Silent Mutiny” and “The Deep & The Dark,” and also their performance of “Freedom,” –quite possibly my favorite song of VOA ever, and quite possibly, one of my favorite concert moments. Ever.
It’s a moment towards song’s end where time stands still, seemingly hanging over the outstretched arms of the audience that are stretching skyward to join in the sway of the sing-a-long outro, and likely in time with lapping ocean waves thousands of miles away. It is a definitive Visions of Atlantis moment, just waiting to go viral.
“Broken hopes aren’t forever.”
– In My World
“In My World” saw drummer Thomas Caser playfully mock the song’s flute intro on his drumstick. But do not be fooled: Thomas proved a seaworthy master of his craft, song after song, with impeccable timing that stood toe-to-toe with the heart-pounding rhythms and soul-lifting vocals.
Guitarist Christian “Dushi” Douscha and bassist Herbert Glos perfectly ended “In My World” with the quintessential, rock-metal joint outro—standing shoulder to shoulder at center stage, plunging deeply into each chord in unison. Dushi’s scorching guitar evoked moods of Iron Maiden, and he even sets up equipment to stream concerts nightly on his personal Twitch channel, ensuring no pirate is left behind.
And Herbert (“Herb,” he so bashfully whispered to me during our introduction at the Meet and Greet), was the first to look for a chair for a late-arriving fan at one of the band’s storied pre-show acoustic performances as part of the meet and greet. As gentle as his mood, though, heavy was his hand on bass that surrounded Visons’ varied songscapes in a wall of thunder to Dushi’s lightning.
“There is more power in pity, than courage in hate.”
—Mercy
Indeed, the night was becoming a “Journey To Remember” and was showing no “Mercy” towards any ill-effects of the pandemic—with everyone now together again without restrictions.
Those that know the songs know what I just did there.
In fact, “Mercy,” one of my least favorite songs from the Pirates album, turned out to be the perfect example of the power of live music. What started out as just an average song for me, grew into something more after seeing it performed—especially with Clem’s glorious outro of “Over and over, the winds keep returning to me, returning to me.”
“Mercy” is now one of my favorite songs—once that I have revisited several times since that night—and I have the live experience to thank for it.
“The journey’s now or never; Embrace your soul forever.”
– Legion of the Seas
As the set drew towards its inevitable close (for a pirate’s spirit may be eternal, but alas, their bodies are not, har har), we got “Pirates Will Return” and “Legions of The Seas” as closers, as the band took turns waiving a giant, black, VOA flag around the stage.
In my eyes, Visions of Atlantis deserve to waive that flag as many times as they want, and for as long as they want.
For pirates, indeed, have returned, bringing legions of fans in-tow, and undoubtedly, picking up scores of new fans as well.
The strength of Visions of Atlantis lies in the balance they strike between a wide range of emotions and landscapes—an enchanting accord between light and darkness.
Having both an exceptional female vocalist and an exceptional male vocalist, supported by master musicians, delivers on this artistry in a way that few bands from any corner of the world can ever match. And it delivers in spades—and in beauty.
Long live artistry. Long live performers. Long live Pirates.
Don’t miss this great band when they sail into your town!
MavStar 