Artist: Visions of Atlantis
Title: Pirates II Armada
Label: Napalm Records
Cat #: NPR1289DGS
Release Year: 2024
Duration: Album
Format: CD
Packaging Type:Digiapk

Pirates is the tenth full-length album from the Austrian symphonic metal band Visions of Atlantis.

"A new day of sailing begins, the wind on our side, and the sea speaks of recent battles. The air feels fresh - Hypocrisy, greed, envy - hearts of the old world finally disclose their deluded truth. Old leaders are losing ground, their lies are getting worse, and darkness creeps in. Each sunny day hides a coming storm, nature testing our strength for the last battle. We've become pirates as their counterparts, free-spirited and true at heart. Navigating storms that try to make us doubt, we see the light in the darkness. The old truth is fading, making room for a new story. Our destiny is in our hands, in our hearts, in every step we take. Reconnecting with ourselves, we touch the essence of life we share with all creatures. Together, unstoppable, connected to the truth, guided by the sun and storms. We'll rule the oceans, the mainland, every street, every house, spreading hope. Our pirate cries will last for centuries, with ancestors humming our tunes, our words sung in the new world we create. Our glory will live on forever. United as one force, one army, under a final ARMADA."

With their tenth opus, Pirates II Armada a new symphonic, cinematic, dramatic, and heavier-than-ever adventure is about to begin. Emotions, depth, and richness of sound - not only a record but a true hurricane of feelings is what Visions of Atlantis is delivering with the second chapter of the Pirates-saga, finally proving that the band is mature and ready to claim the crown of Symphonic Metal.

The magnificent chants of the pirate Queen Clèmentine Delauney and of the brave Captain Michele Guaitoli tell tales of strength, of resistance, and resilience. All-time highest charting in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, USA, Canada, and various other charting positions in Europe, their previous album Pirates set the bar as high as where the Jolly Roger waves on the masthead. After having sailed across the European seas in numerous successful tours over the past 2 years - they crossed the ocean and reached the shores of North- & South America both as headliners and allied with Delain. 

Pirates II Armada takes everything that was achieved with the first chapter and exponentially pushes it further. The first single and title track “Armada” immediately states how driving, rich, and banging the hymn of a pirate army could be. Never before Visions of Atlantis pushed their metal attitude that far. In a journey where the listeners can’t resist joining the “Armada” and facing their own battles, Visions of Atlantis will put you in front of the “Monsters” inside of you, with catchy melodies destined to endlessly stick in your mind, to be sung forever. The uplifting “Tonight I’m Alive” surprises and captivates the party rhythm of a pirate party of the last night before combat with the electrifying rumble of the hurricane, a unique and new facette of Visions of Atlantis showcasing their talent. The burning flames of “Hellfire” enchant you; the sweetness of delicate melodies accompany you “Underwater”. The cinematic adventure of the over 7-minute masterpiece “The Dead of the Sea” makes you smell the salt of the sea, and makes you feel - in every melodic twist and cinematic orchestral hit - the cannons firing and the battle raging. With your hand on your heart, a tear will shed while mourning under the melody of “Ashes to the sea”.

Produced by Felix Heldt, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, orchestrated by Lukas Knoebl and Simon Edward, with the stunning cover artwork of Blake Armstrong, who also took care of bringing the fantastic photos of Robert Eikelpoth into the universe of Visions of Atlantis, Pirates II Armada.

Visions of Atlantis is back, and your only choice is to join their Armada!

Recommended if you like: Within Temptation, Nightwish, Kamelot, Epica, Leaves' Eyes, Tarja, Edenbridge, Sirenia, Delain, Sonata Arctica, Rhapsody of Fire, Dark Moor

Track Listing:

01    To Those Who Choose to Fight
02    The Land of the Free
03    Monsters
04    Tonight I’m Alive
05    Armada
06    The Dead of the Sea
07    Ashes to the Sea
08    Hellfire
09    Collide
10    Magic of the Night
11    Underwater
12    Where the Sky and Ocean Blend