The Vision Bleak – Weird Tales

Written by on 19-05-2024 at 21:00.

A certain H.P. Lovecraft once wrote: “That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die”. A writer whose importance for the German duo The Vision Bleak cannot be underestimated and an interpretation of that phrase applies to the comeback of this horror ensemble: at the right moment, all that slumbers resurfaces. And so does The Vision Bleak, with Weird Tales to feed the masses, a concept album consisting of a single track, divided into twelve chapters.

The style of The Vision Bleak is still quite distinctive and must appeal to you. What has always been unique is the mix of gothic vocals on a diverse musical palette, ranging from doom and gothic hard rock to atmospheric groove metal and even melodic black death. In the past, on Carpathia or The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey for example (both great albums by the way), the sound was ‘dustier’ and more charged than on The Unknown from 2016. On this last one it was clear that The Vision Bleak had grown into a band that positioned itself more in the melodic gothic narrative to bring the horror genre. I was definitely up for it.

It was to be expected that The Vision Bleak would further polish the sound and not return to the past on Weird Tales. Markus Stock did not do that either on the last (also great) album of Empyrium, Über den Sternen, from 2021. What is really striking is that the duo have really put together an album this time that has been thought out from beginning to end. Chapter II: In Rue d’Auseil immediately proves that The Vision Bleak is still faithful to its own gothic style, but the esoteric atmosphe and crispy guitar solo turn it into a top track. A song like Chapter IV: Once I Was a Flower showcases the band’s acoustic perfection, after which a melancholic weave unfolds in a brilliant manner. Chapter VIII: The Undying One even feels very Opeth-like. The track also reminds me of the perfection of some of Agalloch‘s music, but with its own timbre. Moreover, anno 2024 the band is not averse to really go all out as they display on Chapter V: The Premature Burial or Chapter XI: Canticle.

What is the difference with the previous releases, you might ask? Still a mishmash of metal and acoustics in a horror cocoon, yes, but not only the song titles/chapters are giving the impression that the album consists of one whole. Although each of them is different, you feel the interconnection between the tracks and all of them have a strong internal structure conveying the message. Speaking of that message: apart from the mentioned Chapter IV: Once I Was a Flower, you should give Chapter VI: Mother of Toads some listens. I can only conclude that in the past I was somewhat doubtful about the ‘horror metal label’, but consider me convinced!

Score:

86/100

Label:

Prophecy Productions, 2024

Tracklisting:

  1. Chapter I: Introduction
  2. Chapter II: In Rue d’Auseil
  3. Chapter III: In Gardens Red, Satanical
  4. Chapter IV: Once I Was a Flower
  5. Chapter V: The Premature Burial
  6. Chapter VI: Mother of Toads
  7. Chapter VII: The Graveyard by Nyght in a Thunderstorm
  8. Chapter VIII: The Undying One
  9. Chapter IX: Evil Dreams Run Deep
  10. Chapter X: The Witch with Eyes of Amber
  11. Chapter XI: Canticle
  12. Chapter XII: To Drink from Lethe

Line-up:

  • Konstanz – Vocals, drums, synthesizer
  • Schwadorf – Vocals, guitars, bass, synthesizer

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