Detailed Reviews [Visions of Dystopia - 2021 - "A Nightmare on Dystopian Street"]

Prolusion. French project VISIONS OF DYSTOPIA have been around for a few years by now, and from what I can see they have four albums to their name at this point. The latest creation from main men Juskewycz & Maurel is called "A Nightmare on Dystopian Street"m and was released through French label M & O Music in the spring of 2021.

Analysis. Visions of Dystopia is a band that separates themselves ever so slightly from the norm in one important aspect: At least on this most recent album of theirs the album plays out like a combination between an audiobook, a score and a soundtrack rather than a more conventional album consisting of more conventional songs. The music itself probably resides somewhere in the progressive metal sphere, albeit not to the extent that it will alienate metal fans that normally don't enjoy their music to be too progressive in spirit. Voice acting rather than vocals is the somewhat unique aspect of this album, with voice actors as well as sampled dialogue from movies used instead of regular vocals. From repeated phrases with an unnerving effect to voices treated to provide unnerving effects and to more regular voices placed in arrangements where the sheer normality of the voice creates an unnerving effect - it is within this spectrum that the band operate, and the music is suitably intense and theatrical to match the same aspects from the voice actors and the sampled movie dialogues. That horror is the underlying atmosphere throughout is probably not a major revelation at this point. As for the music itself, the band is fond of dark, gnarly and twisted guitar riffs with something of a djent-tinged attitude, as that is a common denominator throughout this album. From purebred and driving guitar dominated passages with this as well as a cleaner and more regular guitar sound used to majestic, monumental arrangements with layered keyboards, choir effects and guitar soloing placed on top of cleaner or bouncier dark riff cascades, driving and intense metal is the main character trait of this album. Gentler passages with careful guitar or keyboard elements and spoken voices also appear now and then, often as a lull before the storm, with or without voice acting present. At times the band reaches extreme metal intensity, on other occasions sweeping symphonic metal is the main orientation, but on the whole and counting in a multitude of more subtle alterations and developments, my opinion is that progressive metal is the best description to give this music.

Conclusion. Those who like their progressive metal to be dark, horror-tinged and performed with intensity should feel right at home with this production. Accessible progressive metal with theatrical elements and horror elements central to the lyrics as well as the music, explored in songs that range from more straightforward and arguably symphonic metal in orientation to progressive metal in nature, this is an album that should interest quite a few people. Those with an affection for theatrical productions with voice acting instead of regular vocals in particular.

Progmessor: July 2021
The Rating Room