Austria’s symphonic metal outfit Visions of Atlantis closed out their 23-date Armada over North America tour at the historic Granada Theater in Dallas.
The tour saw the band playing select markets, bypassing several larger standard tour stops. For example, Austin, Houston and San Antonio were not itinerary but El Paso in the far western corner of Texas bordering New Mexico and Mexico was.
The band was touring in support of their 2024 effort, Armada Pirates II through Napalm Records. Main support for the tour came from Sweden’s Seraina Telli on their Color Addict Tour.
Seraina Telli offered up a unique presentation as the band performed as a two-piece consisting of Seraina Telli (guitars/vocals) and a drummer.
Only having drums and guitars/vocals didn’t hamper their set at all. Actually, it provided loads of room for colorful energy which was quickly devoured by the crowd, receiving a loving warm Texas welcome from the first note.
VoA’s return to Texas has been a two year wait and the band was more than happy to deliver. The band utilized their last three studio releases, Armada Pirates II (2024) , Pirates (2022) and Wanderers (2019) for their set. As expected, VoA relied heavily on Armada Pirates II for the bulk of their material utilizing 11 of the 12 tracks from the album for the 17 song set.
As for the remainder, five selections came from Pirates and one from Wanderers.
Those familiar with the opening of Armada Pirates II were quick to recognize “To Those Who Choose to Fight” as the show opener. Soprano vocalist Clémentine Delauney appeared in a lone white stage light. From there, the remaining band members appeared and vocalist Michele Guaitoli joined in for his parts. The voyage of VoA’s 2024 Dallas stop was underway and there was nothing by smooth symphonic sailing for the night.
Keeping in line with the track listing of Armada Pirates II, VoA continued with “The Land of the Free and “Monsters.”
The band presented angelic and golden vocals accompanied by symphonic melodies with a crushing guitar and rhythm section. All this while taking fans as passengers on a symphonic metal excursion across three albums.
From the staging to costuming, all aspects had the pirate theme. Fans were more than willing participants of the pirate activity on stage.
The majority of selections from Armada Pirates II were in the latter part of the set. Eight songs in, the band delivered six straight tracks from the album. Fans heard “Tonight I’m Alone,” “Collide,” “Hellfire,” “The Dead of the Sea,” “Underwater” and “Magic of the Night.”
From 2022’s Pirates, VoA played “Clocks,” “Legion of the Seas,” “Pirates Will Return” and “Melancholy Angel.” “Master of the Hurricane” was the first encore with “Armada” bringing the night of musical escape to an end.
The band delivered a solid night of symphonic metal. There was a feeling of intimacy while watching the band members on stage. They were not off in the distance of the seas horizon, their energy could easily be felt. More than often, smaller venue shows produce the best results and are the memorable moments of a live music experience. This was the case for VoA at the Granada Theater in Dallas.
Fans were able to walk away knowing a venture out on a Tuesday for VoA was worth it. Even though Dallas was the band’s last night on the tour, VoA delivered as it was the first night. That includes a 12-hour bus ride from the previous night in El Paso.
On stage, VoA does it the way it’s supposed to be done from start to finish. There was no letting up at any point. This was apparent and obviously the fans appreciated that.
Visions of Atlantis have now set sail from the North American shores for their motherland in simplistic triumph.
