Visionatica – Harrowing Insight
In a genre as theatrical and bombastic as symphonic metal, it takes more than just soaring vocals and orchestral flourishes to stand out. Enter VISIONATICA – Germany’s symphonic metal torchbearers – returning with their third full-length album, Harrowing Insight. With this release, they don’t just step forward; they kick the cathedral doors wide open.
From the opening notes of “The Mirror” it’s clear this isn’t a band content to tread water. Tamara Amedov’s vocals are utterly commanding – angelic one moment, venomous the next. Her dynamic range and operatic presence anchor the album, especially in cinematic standouts like “Scheherazade,” where exotic scales and Middle Eastern textures elevate the band’s already polished sound into something both bold and hypnotic.
But make no mistake – this isn’t a one-woman show. Guitarist Manuel Buhl infuses each riff with melodic clarity, blending precision and power while still delivering deep emotion. Tracks like “Psychopaths” and “Wolfman” hit with muscular grooves and gothic grit, while the rhythm section (bassist Tim Zahn, drummer Gerhard Spanner) remains locked in and propulsive throughout.
One of the record’s defining moments comes with “Fucking Seducer,” a duet with Ambre Vourvahis (Xandria), which blends modern edge with symphonic sweep. It’s dark, seductive, and anthemic – everything you want from the genre’s more adventurous fringes.
Lyrically, Harrowing Insight balances introspection with myth, mental struggles with fantastical escapism. VISIONATICA has matured beyond the “potential” stage and evolved into full-blown sonic architects, capable of writing metal operas that stick in your head for days while still punching you in the gut.
The production is clean but punchy, with every orchestral swell and riff given room to breathe. The result? A sound that feels cinematic without being bloated, theatrical without turning to caricature.
RockNGrowl Score: 8.5/10
For fans of: Epica, Xandria, Delain, Kamelot
With Harrowing Insight, VISIONATICA elevates their sound to a new level of intensity and sophistication. Grandiose, dark, and deeply melodic, this is symphonic metal with a spine of steel and a heart full of fire.
Label: El Puerto Records | Released: April 18, 2025
