Live Review: Stranger Vision – The Gryphon, Bristol
27th March 2025
Support: Aether Void, Tales of Perdition
Words: Chris Taylor
Two years ago Italian Power Prog metal band Stranger Vision descended on the Gryphon after the release of their epic album Wasteland. Fast forward to now and the band have returned once more with their even stronger album Faust Act I to bring Bristol a night full of their truly unique blend of Power and Progressive Metal.
Kicking things off was London Symphonic band Tales of Perdition. Quickly bringing the epic vibes they started off the night on top form. Despite a tech issue their confident crowd work keeps things moving smoothly and their enthusiasm for the night is palpable. Definitely a band to watch out for.
It's a night of soaring vocals from all bands, but Aether Void may be the most impactful of the night. An expertly tight performance with some of the most invigorating music one could ask for. Any other night one could mistake this band for the headline act so here's hoping the band return soon with their full show.
Trying to bring the epic scope of power metal to a space as small as the Gryphon is no easy task. For a genre that is known for being larger than live visually as well as audibly, not many bands can make this kind of show work for an audience of thirty without something feeling lost. Stranger Vision on the other hand soars right from the off. Beginning with ‘Strive’ off of the new album it is a set that manages to bring all the weight and gravitas of their albums. The sound is crystal clear and the connection with the audience is strong.
The new album Faust naturally get the most attention tonight and these songs were absolutely made for the stage. Tracks like ‘Nothing Really Matters’ sound huge and fit in perfectly with the band’s more classic tracks such as the always amazing ‘Wasteland’.
Among the band’s strong growing catalogue we are treated to a cover of one of the great bands of Power Metal. Stranger Vision’s adoration for Blind Guardian is well established at this point, with Hansi Kursh featuring on the band’s work in the past, so a cover of ‘Bright Eyes’ just feels right. Slotting in seamlessly among the band’s original music it if nothing else demonstes Stranger Visions musical talent that they can cover such a classic power metal anthem so flawlessly.
It’s honestly surreal seeing a band with a sound as big as this, in a space so intimate. Seeing any artist in the cosy space of the Gryphon always gives an extra level of connection between the artist and the audience which you just don’t get on bigger stages. However Stranger Vision’s music is made for the big time and if their performance tonight is anything to go by, they are more than ready for it. It’ll be exciting to see where Stranger Vision are in another two years but should they manage to build their following and get this music onto larger stages then fans of Power and Prog metal are in for something truly special.
