Metal Riffcrusher: Welcome, Vision Divine! You guys have been in the game for quite some time, but your latest album feels like a rejuvenation. How do you keep things fresh after so many years?

Olaf Thorsen: Thanks, man! Yeah, it’s been quite the ride. I think what keeps us going is that we’re all still huge fans of the music ourselves. We don’t want to just repeat what we’ve done before, so we always challenge ourselves to explore new themes and sounds. Plus, we’ve had some lineup changes over the years, and that brings new energy into the band, too.

Metal Riffcrusher: Your latest album, When All the Heroes Are Dead, has a real dystopian vibe to it. What inspired that direction?

Olaf: I think it was just the state of the world, you know? There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, and it felt like the right time to explore those themes. We wanted to reflect that feeling of being lost in a world that’s changing too fast, with heroes being in short supply. Musically, that let us go into some darker and heavier territory while still keeping that melodic and epic feel Vision Divine is known for.

Metal Riffcrusher: I noticed the mix of progressive elements with your power metal roots is really strong on this album. How do you balance those two styles?

Olaf: That’s something we’ve always tried to do—merge that power metal energy with more intricate, progressive arrangements. For us, it’s all about telling a story through the music. The power metal side gives us the drive and speed, while the progressive side lets us get a bit more creative and complex. We don’t want to stick to one formula, so we just follow where the songs take us.

Metal Riffcrusher: Speaking of storytelling, the lyrics in this album are pretty deep. Can you talk about the lyrical themes you explore on When All the Heroes Are Dead?

Ivan Giannini: Yeah, absolutely. We talk a lot about disillusionment, the search for meaning, and the idea of lost hope in a world that feels like it’s crumbling. But there’s also a message of resilience. Even when things seem bleak, there’s always a chance to rise up and become your own hero. We wanted to give people something they could connect with emotionally, especially in these times.

Metal Riffcrusher: Your vocal performance on this record is amazing, Ivan. Did you approach your singing differently for this album?

Ivan: Thanks! I think the themes of the album pushed me to dig deeper emotionally. There’s a lot of intensity in the music, and I wanted to reflect that in my vocals. Some of the songs required a more aggressive approach, while others needed a more melodic, introspective delivery. I just tried to match the energy of the music and the emotions of the lyrics.

Metal Riffcrusher: Vision Divine has always been known for epic live shows. What can fans expect on this upcoming tour?

Olaf: We’re definitely stepping things up! The new songs are very cinematic, so we’re working on making the live experience match that. We’ve got some cool visuals planned, and the setlist is going to be a mix of the new album with some classics. We want to take fans on a journey, not just musically but visually as well.

Metal Riffcrusher: That sounds epic! You’ve had a strong presence in the power metal scene for years. How do you see the genre evolving, and where do you see Vision Divine fitting into that?

Olaf: Power metal has definitely evolved, and it’s cool to see so many new bands pushing the boundaries. For us, we’ve always wanted to stand out by blending power metal with other influences, whether it’s progressive, symphonic, or even darker elements. I think as long as we keep pushing ourselves and trying new things, we’ll always have a place in the scene. We’re excited to see where the genre goes next.

Metal Riffcrusher: Before we wrap up, what’s next for Vision Divine after this tour? Any new projects in the works?

Olaf: We’re always thinking ahead. We’ve got some ideas for the next album already, and I think we’ll keep exploring these darker themes. But for now, we’re focused on getting out there and connecting with the fans. After the tour, we’ll probably take a short break, then dive right back into writing mode!

Metal Riffcrusher: Sounds like a plan! Thanks for your time, Olaf and Ivan, and good luck on the road!

Olaf: Thanks, it was a pleasure!

Ivan: See you out there!