Review: Vision Divine – A Clockwork Reverie
Scarlet Records – May 22nd, 2026
Reviewer – David Pearce
Italian Power Metal band Vision Divine were formed in 1998 by guitarist Olaf Thorsen who has been their one ever present member over the past 27 years. They have released nine albums and two EPs over the years. Their third EP will be called ‘A Clockwork Reverie‘ and is described by the band as a return to their classic sound. It features seven tracks and sees the return of two former members, frontman Michele Luppi and keyboard player Oleg Smirnoff. Rounding off the quintet are Andrea Tower Torricini on bass and Matt Peruzzi on drums.
The first track is ‘Sator Rotas‘ which features some bravura keyboard work from Oleg Smirnoff but which is over much too quickly. I could have listened to far more of it, as it reminded me of some of the prog rock classics of the 70s. The title track ‘A Clockwork Reverie‘ is a much more traditional slice of power metal, though still with Smirnoff‘s excellent keyboard work in the background giving it a really interesting sound. The combination of that with the full on drumming of Matt Peruzzi the thumping bass of Andrea Tower Torricini a great guitar solo from Olaf Thorsen and the screaming vocals of Michele Luppi add up to one of my favourite rock tracks of the year so far. It’s an absolute belter and one of the two standouts on this EP.
‘18 (It Feels Like Heaven)‘ is an 80s style rocker that really hits the spot. It has echoes of Europe but is heavier and packs a punch especially when Thorsen shows off his virtuosity on the guitar. ‘Andromeda‘ features great bass and drum work from Torricini and Peruzzi respectively. It’s another 80s style throwback but one that brings it up to date rather than slavishly copies it. Vision Divine are a group who don’t hid their influences, rather they incorporate it into their sound and make it their own.
‘Identities‘ starts with a classical piece of piano work from Smirnoff and some beautiful vocals from Luppi which makes it one of the best rock ballads I’ve heard in ages. It reminds me of Chicago at their peak and it is another stand out track on the EP. The volume goes up on the Nietzsche referencing ‘God is Dead‘ and this is perhaps the tightest the group sound on the EP, with every member contributing to a brilliant track. The final track ‘The 25th Hour‘ finishes off this incredibly impressive seven track EP with yet another marvellous piece of power metal. Yet again, every member of the band contributes to a song where the whole is more than the sum of its parts, great though those original parts are.
Vision Divine have somehow escaped my ears despite their long history, but I am a huge convert having heard this high quality EP which contains more highlights than many a full length album. They are simply high quality in every way.
Tracklisting:
- Sator Rotas
- A Clockwork Reverie
- 18 (It Feels Like Heaven)
- Andromeda
- Identities (2026 version)
- God Is Dead (2026 version)
- The 25th Hour (2026 version)
Line-up:
Michele Luppi – vocals
Olaf Thorsen – guitar
Oleg Smirnoff – keyboards
Andrea ʻTowerʼ Torricini – bass
Matt Peruzzi – drums
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