Vision Divine

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Short description|Italian metal band}}

{{sources|date = November 2009}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Vision Divine

| image = Vision Divine - Rockin' field festival - luglio 2008 (1).jpg

| image_upright = 1.2

| caption = Vision Divine at Rockin' field festival 2008 (Idroscalo, Milan)

| alias =

| origin = Italy

| genre = Power metal, progressive metal

| years_active = 1998–present

| label = Scarlet, King, Metal Blade, Frontier

| associated_acts = Labyrinth

| website = {{url|visiondivine.com}}

| current_members = Olaf Thörsen
Andrea "Tower" Torricini
Federico Puleri
Michele Luppi
Matt Peruzzi

| past_members = Fabio Lione
Alessio Lucatti
Alessandro Bissa
Cristiano Bertocchi
Andrew McPauls
Oleg Smirnoff
Mat Stancioiu
Ricky Quagliato
Matteo Amoroso
Danil Morini
Mike Terrana
Ivan Giannini

}}

Vision Divine is an Italian power/progressive metal band formed in 1998.

History

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, 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 29 June 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 23 January 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 14 September 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=81378 |title=Vision Divine Signs With EarMusic/Edel, New LP "Destination Set to Nowhere" Set for Fall |publisher= Metalunderground.com |access-date=19 September 2012}}

In 2016, the band announced drummer Alessandro Bissa decided to peacefully part ways and announced Mike Terrana as the new member.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/visiondivineofficial/posts/10156877615680254 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/31087625253/10156877615680254 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Ladies and gentleman....our new drummer! |publisher= Vision Divine Facebook page |access-date=17 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}

On 28 April 2018, Fabio 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.

On 19 August 2019, the band announced the new album "When All The Heroes Are Dead" on its social media accounts. The artwork of the album was created by Federico Mondelli, whose bands are signed under Scarlet Records just like Vision Divine.

After playing shows all around the world, the band returned to the studio in summer 2022 to work on two new albums. The songwriting of the first one was finished one year later, and the recordings are scheduled before the end of 2023.

In 2025, Vision Divine announced the return of Michele Luppi on lead vocals for a new album and tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/scarletrecords/posts/pfbid02hTvAkNHYwQ4wQv3EVrTKeSbA1JNryghYsJ5xUSZWepinCTfmXik8XW5CtWrQdLUMl|title=MICHELE LUPPI REJOINS VISION DIVINE}} A month later it was announced the departure of keyboard player Alessio Lucatti from the band.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DJEfCG8xC2b/?e=6188f3e9-e4ef-4caa-a6ae-3b5e8eda6d31&g=5|title=Alessio is no longer a member of Vision Divine}}

Members

= Current members =

  • Olaf Thörsen – guitars (1998–present)
  • Federico "Pule" Puleri – guitars (2002–present)
  • Andrea "Tower" Torricini – bass (1999–2006, 2012–present)
  • Michele Luppi – vocals (2003–2008, 2025-present)
  • Matt Peruzzi – drums (2022–present)

= Former members =

  • Fabio Lione – vocals (1998–2003, 2008–2018)
  • Alessio Lucatti – keyboards (2006–2025)
  • Alessandro "Bix" Bissa – drums (2006–2016)
  • 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)
  • Mike Terrana – drums (2016–2022)
  • Ivan Giannini – vocals (2018–2024)

= Timeline =

{{#tag:timeline|

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DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1998 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1998

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1998

Colors =

id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals

id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars

id:piano value:purple legend:Keyboards,_piano

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

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at:06/01/1999 color:black layer:back

at:01/14/2002 color:black layer:back

at:04/19/2004 color:black layer:back

at:10/07/2005 color:black layer:back

at:06/04/2007 color:black layer:back

at:01/23/2009 color:black layer:back

at:09/14/2012 color:black layer:back

at:10/25/2019 color:black layer:back

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bar:Fabio text:"Fabio Lione"

bar:Michele text:"Michele Luppi"

bar:Ivan text:"Ivan Giannini"

bar:Olaf text:"Olaf Thörsen"

bar:Federico text:"Federico Puleri"

bar:Andrew text:"Andrew Mc Pauls"

bar:Oleg text:"Oleg Smirnoff"

bar:Alessio text:"Alessio Lucatti"

bar:Andrea text:"Andrea Torricini"

bar:Cristiano text:"Cristiano Bertocchi"

bar:Mattia text:"Mattia Stancioiu"

bar:Matteo text:"Matteo Amoroso"

bar:Alessandro text:"Alessandro Bissa"

bar:Mike text:"Mike Terrana"

bar:Matt text:"Matt Peruzzi"

PlotData =

width:11

bar:Fabio from:01/01/1998 till:07/01/2003 color:vocals

bar:Michele from:07/01/2003 till:07/01/2008 color:vocals

bar:Fabio from:07/01/2008 till:07/01/2018 color:vocals

bar:Ivan from:07/01/2018 till:12/01/2024 color:vocals

bar:Michele from:03/24/2025 till:end color:vocals

bar:Olaf from:01/01/1998 till:end color:guitar

bar:Federico from:07/01/2002 till:end color:guitar

bar:Andrew from:01/01/1998 till:07/01/2002 color:piano

bar:Oleg from:07/01/2002 till:03/01/2006 color:piano

bar:Alessio from:03/01/2006 till:04/30/2025 color:piano

bar:Andrea from:01/01/1998 till:03/01/2006 color:bass

bar:Cristiano from:03/01/2006 till:03/01/2012 color:bass

bar:Andrea from:03/01/2012 till:end color:bass

bar:Mattia from:01/01/1998 till:07/01/2002 color:drums

bar:Matteo from:07/01/2002 till:03/01/2006 color:drums

bar:Alessandro from:03/01/2006 till:03/01/2016 color:drums

bar:Mike from:03/01/2016 till:02/22/2022 color:drums

bar:Matt from:02/22/2022 till:end color:drums

}}

Discography

= Albums =

= Demos =

  • 1999 – Symmetry – The Official Demo series Vol 3
  • 2002 – Colours of My World

= Videos =

  • 2005 – Stage of Consciousness

References

{{reflist}}