Visions of Atlantis

Visions of Atlantis
Origin	Styria, Austria
Genres	Power metal Symphonic metal
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Napalm Records
Website	www.visionsofatlantis.com
Members
Maxi Nil Mario Plank Martin Harb Thomas Caser Werner Fiedler Mario Lochert
Past members
Nicole Bogner Melissa Ferlaak Christian Stani Wolfgang Koch Miro Holly Chris Kamper Michael Koren Joanna Nieniewska

Official Visions of Atlantis logo

Visions of Atlantis is a symphonic power metal band from Styria, Austria, founded in 2000. Inspiration came both from successful symphonic power metal band Nightwish and from the myth of Atlantis. The equal combination of male and female vocals distinguishes Visions of Atlantis from Nightwish however and is more reminiscent of bands such as Lacuna Coil.

History

Eternal Endless Infinity and Line-up changes

Fascinated by the myth of Atlantis, Werner Fiedler, Thomas Caser, Christian Stani and Chris Kamper decided in August 2000 to work out a concept inspired by the secret of Atlantis. Late in summer Nicole Bogner joined the project, and this was the birth of Visions of Atlantis. A first demo, Morning in Atlantis was released in 2000.

In 2001 they signed with TTS Media Music/Black Arrow Productions, and in 2002 their first album, Eternal Endless Infinity was released.

In 2003, the band saw some changes in line-up, replacing Christian Stani with Mario Plank and Chris Kamper with Miro Holly.

Cast Away and Nicole's departure

Now with Napalm Records, which released the band’s second studio effort ”Cast Away“ worldwide in November 2004. To mark the release, Visions of Atlantis produced their first official music video to the track “Lost“, which received significant airplay on VIVA and MTV, and made it possible for the band to present the album. In early 2005, Visions of Atlantis did their tour across Europe, while being supported by labelmates Elis and Celtic rock based band Lyriel.

In late 2005, Bogner left the band due to commitments elsewhere.

New singer and 3rd studio album

After Nicole left the band, she was replaced by American Soprano signer Melissa Ferlaak (formerly with Aesma Daeva) and Wolfgang Koch replaced Werner Fiedler. In 2006, Martin Harb, who already played with VoA on their tour in Mexico in 2003, replaced Miro Holly. In May 2007, VoA released their 3rd album Trinity, mastered at Finnvox studios and recorded at Bavarian Dreamscape Studio ). The following autumn brought Visions of Atlantis to the United States, where the band toured together with Epica for 6 weeks and won numerous new fans

Departure of Melissa Ferlaak and Wolfgang Kock

Upon returning, the band went through changes in the line-up. On November 28, 2007, a message was posted on the official VoA website saying that Melissa Ferlaak and Wolfgang Koch had left the band, both citing personal reasons (Ferlaak and Koch were married in May 2008). Following this Visions of Atlantis announced a few days later that their ex guitarist, Werner Fiedler, had rejoined the band.

Joanna Nieniewska and Maxi Nil

After Melissa's departure, Visions of Atlantis not only looked for a replacement for a singer, but also wrote the song material for the fourth album. The band was advertising on their website the position for a female vocalist for several months, and on September 3, 2008, they finally announced that they had found a new female singer; however, her identity wasn't revealed until February 1, 2009, as the 20-year old Austrian soprano vocalist Joanna Nieniewska.

On July 29, 2009, VoA announced that because of health problems, Joanna Nieniewska is no longer in the band but will continue to support VoA behind the scenes.

The band announced the replacement vocalist, Maxi Nil from Greece, and was also known for her work with On Thorns I Lay, guest with Moonspell and her former band Elysion.

Delta and onward

On December 3, 2010, VoA announced the new title of their 4th studio album Delta which was released on February 25, 2011 worldwide.

On July 18, 2011, Bass player Mario Lochert left the band due to crucial internal differences. In a recent interview Harb said that the band is not planning on replacing him. Instead, they will continue without a bassist as a fixed band member.

In August 2011, the band announced the title of their first EP Maria Magdalena, it was released on October 21, 2011.

Announcement of Nicole and new album announced

On January 6, 2012, Visions of Atlantis announced on their Facebook and MySpace pages that former singer Nicole Bogner has died at the age of 27 after fighting a severe disease over a long period of time. The band was shocked to have a loss of their first and wants to express sincere gratitude to Nicole not only for 5 years of sharing a musical vision but also for more than a decade of friendship inside and outside of Visions of Atlantis. And remembering her that without Nicole the band wouldn't have been born.

On January 27, 2012, the band announced the title "Ethera" for their upcoming Album which is set to be released in late summer/fall 2012.

Members

Current members

• Maxi Nil - Vocals (2009–Present)
• Mario Plank - Vocals (2003–Present)
• Cris Tían - Guitars (2011–Present)
• Martin Harb - Keyboards (2006–Present)
• Thomas Caser - Drums (2000–Present)

Touring Members

• Raphael Saini - Drums (2011)

Past members

• Nicole Bogner - Vocals (2000–2005)
• Melissa Ferlaak - Vocals (2005–2007)
• Joanna Nieniewska - Vocals (2009)
• Christian Stani - Vocals (2000–2003)
• Miro Holly - Keyboards (2003–2006))
• Chris Kamper - Keyboards (2000–2003)
• Werner Fiedler - Guitars (2000–2005, 2007–2011)
• Wolfgang Koch - Guitars (2005–2007)
• Mario Lochert - Bass (2010–2011)
• Michael Koren - Bass (2000–2009)

Discography

Demos

• Morning in Atlantis (2000)

Albums

• Eternal Endless Infinity (2002)
• Cast Away (2004)
• Trinity (2007)
• Delta (2011)
• Ethera (2012)

EPs

• Maria Magdalena (2011)

Videos

• Lost (2004)
• A New Dawn (2011)

External links

• Official site
• Vision of Atlantis at Myspace
• Visions of Atlantis at Napalm Records
• Column by Melissa Ferlaak at ME Metalhour

Videos

• "Lost" (2004) at Napalm Records (WMV)
• "New Dawn" (2011) at Napalm Records (WMV)