VISIONS OF ATLANTIS - Guitarist Werner Fiedler

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS - Guitarist Werner Fiedler Rejoins Band

Thomas Caser, drummer for Austrian metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS has issued the following statement regarding the recent news that singer Melissa Ferlaak, and her boyfriend, guitarist Wolfgang "Wops" Koch, were leaving the band:

"In the past seven years I have dedicated all my energy into Visions of Atlantis, I have been responsible to bring the band up from scratch - got all the record deals, shows, tours, did all the work there is besides the music and put all my personal interests aside so I can focus on the band. For this time I also put my professional career behind in order to focus on the band. I have seen people join and leave the band, understood all of their personal/musical views and have never had any hard feelings about them. But, if you commit to something where other people are involved with, may it be band-mates, fans, record label, then you also have some sort of responsibility towards them. That's my (our) point and that is why we are upset with this situation. Or should we be happy??? I cannot go out and say - all the best to you and thanks for leaving us before such an important tour. This was crucial for Visions of Atlantis, we could have hit a bigger audience, the tour we have always dreamed about... If it was "only" Wolfgang leaving, we could live well with the situation, but it is our singer - our 'face' - who has left. And she left because he left, that's a fact. Fearing that the musical direction could become more 'Cast Away' orientated.

KAMELOT tour is cancelled, they are already looking for a replacement (for us). So to all who have been looking forward to see Visions of Atlantis live - please don't blame it on Visions of Atlantis. Visions of Atlantis will continue and we hope that you all stay with us!

BUT we have some good news for you - our friend Werner Fiedler (guitar is back in the band! He was mainly responsible for the song-writing of the first two records and we are happy that he's back!!!"

DOKKEN Bassist Barry Sparks Checks In



DOKKEN bassist Barry Sparks has checked in with the following update:

"The European Dokken tour was a lot of fun! Having KINGDOM COME with us was great as well. They are a really great band and we had some really good gigs. A few highlights that come to mind are Barcelona, Madrid and Milan. Spain and Italy always have some of the best fans. I have been spending a lot of time in Italy as well.....drum roll please...........because I got married there on September 3rd!! To my beautiful girl Alessandra!! Which makes me half Italian now! Here (click left) is a picture of me and my wife! Ciao Amore! Io sono musicista!! Grazie arrivederci!"