Austria’s Visions of Atlantis have been making noticeable waves in the sea of symphonic metal over the last several years.
The band released the impressive symphonic effort Wanderers in August 2019, then the equally impressive Pirates in May 2022.
Following extensive touring throughout 2022 and 2023, the band released Pirates Over Wacken, in May 2023, their third live album. The release captured Visions of Atlantis’s grand set at the Wacken Open Air in 2022.
Not to set idle with the release of Pirates Over Wacken, Visions of Atlantis set their sights back on Pirates. This time around the band approached their Pirates release with strings and all things orchestral attached.
Visions of Atlantis will release an exclusive orchestral-only version of the Pirates album titled A Pirate’s Symphony. The orchestral undertaking invites the listeners to enjoy the symphonic soundscapes of Pirates. That means no guitars, vocals or drums but there are some fingers dancing on the ivory of piano keys. The only voices that will be heard are dramatic choral voices.
The band handed over their reigns of Pirates to Lukas Knoebel who carefully and meticulously created the orchestrated version of Pirates.
The results are haunting and beautiful flowing melodies accompanied with symphonic heaviness. The music Visions of Atlantis created on Pirates easily stands alone in the symphonic world. Even the smallest of details in Pirates can be heard in this other musical world. The music simply is in its purest form.
The best way to experience A Pirates Symphony is to be familiar with the Pirates release but it’s not required. It would just be easier to relate and follow the music, fully experiencing A Pirates Symphony.
The tracking listing for A Pirates Symphony is the same as the Pirates release.
Each song, whether the opener, “Pirates will Return,” “Melancholy Angel” or “Wild Elysium” are projected into another realm. There’s really no limit to the depth of the music being presented in its symphonic form.
Besides the orchestral elements throughout A Pirates Symphony, multi-instrumentalist Ben Metzner of Feuerschwanz adds his touch. Metzner weaves in harmonizing flutes and bagpipes in “I will be Gone”. He also lends his talents and joins in on “In My World,” “Master the Hurricane” and “Heal the Scars.”
A Pirate’s Symphony is an emotional experience for all who listen. From metal purist or to those fond of musical scores, A Pirate’s Symphony hits and covers all the notes. It could be presented and conducted by the world’s finest conductors anywhere in a grand auditorium or outdoor setting.
It doesn’t really matter who or where because the experience may evoke emotions and feelings that have never appeared. The young and old would thoroughly immerse themselves in A Pirate’s Symphony in an orchestral setting.
With the release of A Pirate’s Symphony, there may be an option Visions of Atlantis take the release to the next level. That is presenting the album live with the electric vocal elements. What is known though with A Pirate’s Symphony, it closes in on 2023 in a majestic way.
A Pirate’s Symphony hits the streets on Friday, December 1, 2023 through Napalm Records. Pre-orders for vinyl and CD formats are currently open.
