Visions of Atlantis

Visions of Atlantis is an Austrian Heavy metal band from Styria, founded in 2000. Inspiration came both from successful Symphonic metal band Nightwish and from the myth of Atlantis.

Eternal Endless Infinity and lineup changes (2000–2004)

Fascinated by the myth of Atlantis, Werner Fiedler, Thomas Caser, Christian Stani, and Chris Kamper decided in August 2000 to work out a concept inspired by the secret of Atlantis. Late in summer mezzo-soprano Nicole Bogner joined the project, and this was the birth of Visions of Atlantis. A first demo, "Morning in Atlantis" was released in 2000.

In 2001 they signed with TTS Media Music/Black Arrow Productions, and in 2002 their first album, Eternal Endless Infinity was released.

In 2003, the band saw some changes in lineup, replacing Christian Stani with Mario Plank and Chris Kamper with Miro Holly.

Cast Away and Nicole's departure (2004–2005)

Now with Napalm Records, which released the band's second studio effort "Cast Away" worldwide in November 2004. To mark the release, Visions of Atlantis produced their first official music video to the track "Lost", which received significant airplay on VIVA and MTV, and made it possible for the band to present the album. In early 2005, Visions of Atlantis did their tour across Europe, while being supported by labelmates Elis and Celtic rock based band Lyriel. In late 2005, Nicole Bogner left the band due to commitments elsewhere.

New singer and third studio album (2005–2007)

After Nicole left the band, she was replaced by American soprano singer Melissa Ferlaak (formerly with Aesma Daeva) and Wolfgang Koch replaced Werner Fiedler. In 2006, Martin Harb, who already played with VoA on their tour in Mexico in 2003, replaced Miro Holly. In May 2007, VoA released their 3rd album Trinity, mastered at Finnvox Studios and recorded at Bavarian Dreamscape Studio). The following autumn brought VoA to the United States, where the band toured together with Epica for 6 weeks and won numerous new fans.

Departure of Melissa Ferlaak and Wolfgang Koch (2007–2008)

Upon returning, the band went through changes in the lineup. On November 28, 2007, a message was posted on the official Visions of Atlantis website saying that Melissa Ferlaak and Wolfgang Koch had left the band, both citing personal reasons. Following this, Visions of Atlantis announced a few days later that their former guitarist, Werner Fiedler, had rejoined the band.

Joanna Nieniewska and Maxi Nil (2008–2009)

After Melissa's departure, Visions of Atlantis not only looked for a replacement for a singer, but also wrote the material for the fourth album. The band advertised on their website the position for a female vocalist for several months, and on September 3, 2008, they finally announced that they had found a new female singer; however, her identity was not revealed until February 1, 2009, as the 20-year-old Austrian soprano, vocalist Joanna Nieniewska.

On July 29, 2009, Visions of Atlantis announced that because of health problems, Joanna Nieniewska is no longer in the band but will continue to support the band behind the scenes. They announced the replacement vocalist, Maxi Nil from Greece, and was also known for her work with On Thorns I Lay, guest with Moonspell and her former band Elysion.

Delta and Maria Magdalena EP (2010–2011)

On December 3, 2010, Visions of Atlantis announced the new title of their 4th studio album Delta which was released on February 25, 2011 worldwide.

On July 18, 2011, bass player Mario Lochert left the band due to crucial internal differences. In a recent interview Martin Harb said that the band is not planning on replacing him. Instead, they will continue without a bassist as a fixed band member.

In August 2011, the band announced the title of their first EP "Maria Magdalena". It was released on 21 October 2011.

Death of Nicole Bogner and Ethera (2012–2013)

On 6 January 2012, Visions of Atlantis announced on their Facebook and MySpace pages that former singer Nicole Bogner had died at the age of 27 after suffering from a severe disease over a long period of time.

The band said that they were saddened to have lost their first vocalist, and expressed their gratitude to Nicole for her time with the band.

On January 27, 2012, the band announced the title Ethera for their upcoming album, which was scheduled to be released in 2012.

Ethera was released on March 22, 2013. It was the first album with guitarist Christian Hermsdörfer and without an official bassist. It was dedicated to Nicole's memory.

Lineup changes and The Deep & the Dark (2013–2019)

On December 6, 2013, Visions of Atlantis announced on their Facebook page that most of the lineup was parting ways with the band, leaving the only remaining and founding member Thomas Caser on drums.

This decision was mostly because of a desire from the parting members to play their own style of music, whilst the band was orientating to go back to its classic style. Thus, it welcomed back some of its old members: Werner Fiedler (guitars), Chris Kamper (synths), and Michael Koren (bass).

Maxi Nil was replaced by Clémentine Delauney, and Mario Plank by Siegfried Samer. Michael Koren was again replaced by Herbert Glos on bass in late 2017, and Werner Fiedler by Christian Douscha at the same time. Chris Kamper left the band in 2015.

Their new album The Deep & the Dark was released on 16 February 2018.

Wanderers and Pirates (2019–present)

After extensive tours with Serenity and Kamelot as well as several festival shows in 2018, the band released their first live album "The Deep & the Dark Live @ Symphonic Metal Nights" on 16 February 2019,

which featured new male lead singer Michele Guaitoli (from Italian symphonic metal band  Temperance) sharing lead vocal duty with Siegfried Samer, the former having permanently replaced the latter at the end of the Symphonic Metal Nights IV tour in late 2018.

The band then announced on 1 July 2019 that their seventh album Wanderers will be released on August 30, 2019 via Napalm Records. The album again featured Clémentine Delauney and Michele Guaitoli sharing lead vocal duties.

During the pandemic in 2020, Visions Of Atlantis released their first live DVD / Bluray with the title "A Symphonic Journey To Remember" on October 30.

The show was recorded at Bang-Your-Head!!! festival in Germany back in 2019 together with the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra of Prague.

On March 7, 2022, the band announced their eighth studio album Pirates would be released on May 13. This album took Visions Of Atlantis to a higher level than before.

With more orchestral arrangements and choirs, the band is not only fascinated by the fans, but also received a great response from the press. The first official fan club VoA Sailors has existed since 29 August 2022.

 

Trivia

The song "Lemuria" from the album Cast Away was used by the organizer of the

2011 World Athletics Championship in Daegu (South Korea) as beginning of the medal ceremonies.

The first official Visions of Atlantis Sailors-fan club has existed since August 29, 2022.

Albums

Morning in Atlantis (2000) demo

Eternal Endless Infinity (2002)

Cast Away (2004)

Trinity (2007)

Maria Magdalena (2011) ep

Delta (2011)

Ethera (2013)

Old Routes – New Waters (2016) ep

The Deep & the Dark (2018)

Wanderers (2019)

The Deep & The Dark Live @Symohonic Metal Nights (2019) live

A Symphonic Journey To Remember (2020) live

Pirates (2022)

Pirates Over Wacken (2023) live

A Pirate's Symphony (2023)

Members

Thomas Caser – drums (2000–present)

Clémentine Delauney – female vocals (2013–present)

Christian Douscha – guitars (2017–present)

Herbert Glos – bass (2017–present)

Michele Guaitoli – male vocals (2018–present)

Former members

Christian Stani – vocals (2000–2003)

Nicole Bogner – vocals (2000–2005; died 2012)

Miro Holly – keyboards (2003–2006)

Mario Plank – vocals (2003–2013)

Melissa Ferlaak – vocals (2005–2007)

Wolfgang Koch – guitars (2005–2007)

Martin Harb – keyboards (2006–2013)

Joanna Nieniewska – vocals (2009)

Maxi Nil – vocals (2009–2013)

Mario Lochert – bass (2009–2013)

Christian Hermsdörfer – guitars (2011–2013)

Raphael Saini – live drums (2011)

Babis Nikou – live bass, vocals (2013)

Werner Fiedler – guitars (2000–2005, 2007–2011, 2013–2017)

Chris Kamper – keyboards (2000–2003, 2013–2017)

Michael Koren – bass (2000–2009, 2013–2017)

Siegfried Samer – lead vocals (2013–2018)

Source: Wikipedia

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