Visions of Atlantis + War Kings
February 10thth 2025 Manchester Academy
The assembled mutineers pack out the academy, a this venue a step up from VOA last tour, a sign of their increasing popularity. Itâs always great to see a band Iâm unfamiliar with,and War Kings were just that. Looking a little like characters from âTime Banditsâ whist playing classic power metal in the vein of Hammerfall and Powerwolf, each member adopted a historical appearance whilst their songs told of Viking and Norse mythological stories; with songs like Odinâs Sons and Kings of Ragnarok.
Feisty power metal ,ferocious riffs and solos courtesy of guitarist Crusader who looks much like zombie!
Whilst spectacualr showman shop set these guys on fire, worth noting the capacity crowd were almost all present for their set. Frontman Georg Neuhauser aka the Tribune dressed like a Roman Gladiator appropriately commanding the audience like a baying mob of willing slaves. âWhat is your profession?â he bellows,he sings with the higher range of rock singers,whilst still being melodic. Assisted by âMorgan Le Fayâ aka Melissa Bonny on death growls they are tour de Force of metal .I hope to see them again in UK soon.
Visions of Atlantis continue the cosplay theme with their Pirate themed set,with a stunning âwenchâ up front in Clementine De Launey, with a voice that is both operatic and melodic rock.
Alongside her on vocals is chief Pirate Michele Guaitioli, providing a great contrast in voices, backed by a great band and atop a pirate ship themed stage set,we dive headlong in songs about Pirates and Atlantis fast and furious. Curiously Guaitoli does most of the crowd banter between songs,getting the crowd singing along.
âClocksâ gets the crowd splicing the main break -or jumping whichever- Delauney's angelic voice piercing. War Kings return for the duet of Pirates and Kings leaving no inch of stage left.Clementine covered her long red dress and frilled cuffs with a more demure green chiffon affair worn with as she stood centre stage alone singing the ballad âUnderwaterâ,a soft moment of beauty in the sea of madness.During 'Pirates Will Return
the audienc eis instructed to all sit down and mime rowing,amazing crowd interaction!
Before âArmadaâ we had a call and response section from audience,with them invited to sing alternatively âjolly rogerâ and âarmadaâ as the anthem went along. With encores such as the riff tastic âMaster the Hurricaneâ and the bouncy âMelancholy Angelâ which tested the integrity of the Academy floor VOA set sail for another town leaving Manchester shipwrecked but satisfied with a brilliant gig.
Simon Smith
★★★
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