Band: Vision of Choice
Album: Second Sight
Label: Fencesound Music/ZOUNDR
Genre: Heavy Metal/Power Metal
Country: Germany
Release Date: February 17th, 2023
For Fans Of: Visigoth, Judas Priest, Motörhead
Because I have a nasty habit of procrastinating, I waited waaaay too long to start this review. I only started listening to the record shortly before writing this, hoping that I could just breeze my way through it with some half-assed writing. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), this album is pretty stellar, and now I regret how long it took me to get to it. As it progressed, I hoped a lackluster song would come on, allowing me to craft a few sentences ripping into Vision of Choice’s ability and fluffing out this review. But it’s just too much fun to warrant a careless use of words, and now I sit here at a crossroads of emotions; curse the band for surprising me with a good album, or curse myself for my negligence?
Self-mutilation aside, this album is fun. It’s pure classic metal, with some recent metal trends woven in. I feel like I’m listening to Visigoth’s direct competition, with more classic speed and thrash mixed in with the power metal influences. It checks all the boxes; guitar solos, catchy choruses, head-bobbing riffs, and cheesy lyrics that won’t make you cringe.
This album feels like it could have existed in the late 1970s or early 1980s, and it does raise an interesting consideration about these these types of artists, ones that call back to an earlier sound of music. It has always been a trend among music critics constantly call for continual evolution from artists, always on the hunt for a new sound. But bands like Vision of Choice clearly prove that there is an audience for older sounds, and that there is still areas to explore. The revolving wheel continues down single path, but there are still unknown sites to found in the surrounding area.
This album won’t be my favorite of the year, and I don’t know how frequently I’ll come back to it, but the time I spent with it was fun. The talent found in this band and their songwriting abilities cannot be overlooked. Those who are fans of this more old-school sound will find a gem in Second Sight. It’s a well-executed album that deserves some love.
Rating: 7/10
Tracklist:
1. She Is Danger
2. Eyes of Freedom
3. High Roller
4. Demonize
5. Until The Night
6. Ghost Chance
7. Fatal Delusion
8. To Zero
9. Hero’s Home
10. Forever The Heroes
Total Playing Time: 45:44
Click here to visit Vision of Choice’s Bandcamp
Starting his musical journey with Rush, Spenser has become an avid fan of metal and drumming. Other hobbies include reading and audio engineering. He can often be found reading some sort of fantasy novel.
Ulver, Fellowship, Defeated Sanity, Nekus, Nepenthe