Vision Divine was born in 1998, originally intended as Olaf Thorsen's solo project (Labyrinth's guitarist at that time). Very soon he starts collaborating again with Fabio Lione (lead singer of Labyrinth on their first album \"No Limits\" and current frontman of Rhapsody) and the solo project rapidly turns into a real band, its name being a combination of \"Vision\"-old Labyrinth's monicker when Olaf created the band -- and \"Divine\" -- the title intended for Olaf's solo album. The line-up got completed with Mat Stancioiu (drums), Andrew Mc Pauls (keyboards) and Andrea Tower Torricini (bass).
In 1999 their first studio album, self-titled \"Vision Divine\", is released and immediately becomes a huge hit, selling over 100.000 units in Europe.
In 2001, the band starts writing and recording the new album, called \"Send Me An Angel\", to be released in January 2002. At the end of that same year, Olaf decides to leave Labyrinth to focus exclusively on Vision Divine and stop any annoying rumor about Vision Divine being considered a mere \"side project\".
In three years, Vision Divine release two albums, and thanks to good sales results, the band starts touring around the world. One tour not to forget is the great South American Tour in December 2000, where for the first time an Italian Heavy Metal band got the chance to headline sold-out concerts in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Panama and Mexico.
In order to give the band a more consistent and definitive identity, Mat Stancioiu and Andrew Mc Pauls leave Vision Divine to play exclusively with Labyrinth, and get replaced by Oleg Smirnoff on the keyboards (ex Eldritch and Death SS) and Matteo Amoroso on drums (ex Athena).
In 2003, the band begins the songwriting for the third forthcoming album, when unfortunately Fabio Lione's career with Rhapsody (now Rhapsody of Fire) and his duties in Vision Divine enter in conflict due to a new contract he and the other Rhapsody member had to sign together with their management Magic Circle. After a few months, they mutually agree to split in a friendly way, to give Vision Divine the chance of continuing their career without having to stop for a long term. The new singer to be chosen is Michele Luppi, a highly skilled and talented guy.
Now it is finally possible to complete the last songs needed, so the new concept album gets recorded and entitled \"Stream Of Consciousness\", released in April 2004. With a brand new line-up and renewed ambitions the band cancels any previous deal and joins Scarlet Records for distribution in Italian territory, King Records for Japan and Metal Blade for the rest of the world. Surely now nobody can say that Vision Divine is a \"side project\" anymore.
