Review of new Vanden Plas release

[Bryant]

Thanks to my friend Britt for finding this review. I copied and pasted it from another forum....... it sounds very promising to put it mildly.


Here's some early comments from some folks who have had the disc for a couple of weeks. Both guys usually have very good takes, so I trust this info to be pretty solid and I am definately looking forward to this one. I need something to come along and wow me .. this one might be it.

Britt





As Redredread pointed out, I have been lucky enough to hear the new VP album - first at a listening party in Cologne a few weeks ago and more recently, via a promo that I have been fortunate to receive.

I have held off giving my full views on this album until I had the benefit of a few spins on the car stereo (it's where I do most of my listening and thinking!!)

What can I say?

Well...

If you like Christ 0, be prepared to love this disc. The foundation of the hour's music is a very involved concept about a clockmaker a few hundred years ago and the music puts this story to music.

Much like Christ O, the music is very epic, the guitars are razor sharp and by heavens has Mr Lill been worshipping at the feet of the God Of the Riff - there are some real neck-breakers in there, particularly on Holes In The Sky. This album is genuinely heavy. Hell, there's even some meaty double-pedal action going on here and there.

But, as usual (and great news for prog fans) the compositions are very complex and many clock in at the 8-9 minute mark. The melodies are there in abundance, there are plenty of the expected lighter, more introspective moments and needless to say, some of the musicianship is jaw-dropping. Cool solos at the speed of light, nice prog break-downs, you get the idea

And if that wasn't enough, I'm prepared to stick my neck out and say that the closing 12 minute opus that is On My Way To Jerusalem is the best song this band have ever written.

I hope this hasn't been too cliched an overview (as my press one-liner was accused of being ) but I don't have as much time to go into greater detail as I had hoped I would.

Suffice to say, I think this'll be a hit on this board and will restore some flagging faith in some of our beloved 'big guns'!!
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Matt
The Man of Much Metal

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LarryD
Site Admin


Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 3656
Location: Rhode Island / USA
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 1:57 am Post subject:

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Disc of the year -- there I said it.

This is going to crush everything in its path ... this is the kind of music I live for....

As Matt said -- if you love Christ 0 - you will adore this one. Whats amazing is that after all of these years, these guys just keep on amazing....

If you thought I was hyping Haken -- sorry folks -- but when I listen to Prog Metal, this is what I want to hear.

Vanden Plas is back -- and they aren't taking names. F*****g awesome.



Bryant

 

[General Zod]

Definitely one of my most anticipated releases. Vanden Plan just may be the best Prog band out there right now.

 

[The Invisible Guest]

Agreed with Zod ... these guys are the best in the business in my opinion. I really need for it to be a good one too. There just aren't many discs that have come along of late that have really, really, wowed me. I thought the new Nevermore might be the one to dominate my Ipod .. not to be .. not yet at least. Like with Nevermore my expectations will be high .. hopefully VP hits with a winner.


Britt

 

[Bryant]

I honestly think this thing is going to be incredible. The band has had four years to write this. Stephan claimed it is going to be heavy... and considering how "business like" he is in his personality, I believe him. I don't even need to hear it...... though I can't wait until I do, to know this thing is going to slay......


Bryant

 

[edgeofthorns]

Definitely one of my most anticipated releases. Vanden Plan just may be the best Prog band out there right now.

Agreed with Zod ... these guys are the best in the business in my opinion.

Britt

I think you're both nuts! Circus Maximus are the best prog band in the business boys!

~Brian~

 

[General Zod]

I think you're both nuts! Circus Maximus are the best prog band in the business boys!

Circus Maximus is definitely close. And they definitely have the better vocalist. However, at this point in their respective careers, Circus Maximus can't match the maturity and elegance Vanden Plas brings to their songwriting. Vanden Plas' songs just flow, in such a natural way. It's really hard to describe what is that Vanden Plas has, that others lack. But they have something.

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

Circus Maximus is definitely close. And they definitely have the better vocalist. However, at this point in their respective careers, Circus Maximus can't match the maturity and elegance Vanden Plas brings to their songwriting. Vanden Plas' songs just flow, in such a natural way. It's really hard to describe what is that Vanden Plas has, that others lack. But they have something.

I've always described Vanden Plas as being very patient, and they are masters at letting each song develop and flow at their own pace. Oftentimes you hear songs pushing 10 minutes that could easily be 5-6, but they are dragged out; not the case with VP. They write songs that build and develop without growing stale. (Had a broken train of thought in the middle of this, but hopefully it conveys my meaning.)

High expectations for this new album! Just listened to "Colour Temple" this weekend and was marveling at it's brilliance.....

 

[nomisofsiman]

I think you're both nuts! Circus Maximus are the best prog band in the business boys!

~Brian~

I still don't get Circus Maximus. Considering all the other bands I like, I should like them but I just find them to be blah for some reason. I know, I know I'm going to get hell for that line, but it's true. I've tried my damnest due to how much people both on this forum and the prog community in general like them, but something just doesn't quite fit with my ears.

With that being said, I am looking very forward to this Vanden Plas release though. Reminds me I need to get some more of their back catalog.

 

[Justin G]

I enjoy Circus Maximus quite a bit, but they're not even in the same league as Vanden Plas. Seriously, go back and listen to Accult and tell me CM could have pulled that off.

Oh, and The Seraphic Clockwork is VERY good. I don't know that I'd consider it their best, but it's probably better than the last one.

 

[General Zod]

I've always described Vanden Plas as being very patient, and they are masters at letting each song develop and flow at their own pace. Oftentimes you hear songs pushing 10 minutes that could easily be 5-6, but they are dragged out; not the case with VP. They write songs that build and develop without growing stale.

Well said.

I still don't get Circus Maximus. Considering all the other bands I like, I should like them but I just find them to be blah for some reason. I know, I know I'm going to get hell for that line, but it's true.

No one should get flamed for conveying respectful honesty. I think we all have bands we should love, but for whatever reason, don't click for us. It's exactly why music is so personal.

 

[Taliwakker]

However, at this point in their respective careers, Circus Maximus can't match the maturity and elegance Vanden Plas brings to their songwriting. Vanden Plas' songs just flow, in such a natural way. It's really hard to describe what is that Vanden Plas has, that others lack. But they have something.

I like VP...been a fan since The God Thing but have always felt that actually lacked "something"...you are right in that their arrangements flow well and don't sound forced....but among the maturity and elegance i always thought musically they were a little predictable and utilised quite a few musical cliches. Always solid releases though....a very reliable band...the Toyota of Prog Metal.

 

[nomisofsiman]

Well said.

No one should get flamed for conveying respectful honesty. I think we all have bands we should love, but for whatever reason, don't click for us. It's exactly why music is so personal.

Well said as well.

 

[General Zod]

...the Toyota of Prog Metal.

So you're saying, once they get rolling they can't stop themselves?

 

[TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER]

If the album is that great, they're sure to be a shoe in for next year's PP.

 

[Bryant]

I've always described Vanden Plas as being very patient, and they are masters at letting each song develop and flow at their own pace.They write songs that build and develop without growing stale.

Nice descriptions. I have been a big fan since "The God Thing" but have never been able to describe "why" I like them so much. To this day I still can't put a finger on what separates them others, but there is something there. I think both of you described some of it.

I still don't get Circus Maximus. Considering all the other bands I like, I should like them but I just find them to be blah for some reason.

I enjoy Circus Maximus quite a bit, but they're not even in the same league as Vanden Plas. Seriously, go back and listen to Accult and tell me CM could have pulled that off.

I feel the same way. It is far from anything against CM. They aren't a bad band by any means. The musicianship is really good and the vocalist is stellar, but the songwriting isn't quite "there" for me yet. It very well may come though. I hope it does. It happens though.
Bands change with time. For example, I was a huge Fates fan in the 90's. When the highly anticipated APSOG came out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it, but it was flat out awful in my ears. I still don't know if I have ever made it through the whole thing in one listen. It is a masterpiece for some, but I just don't "get it."

I like VP...been a fan since The God Thing but have always felt that actually lacked "something". Always solid releases though....a very reliable band...the Toyota of Prog Metal.

I like the use of "SOME" musical cliche's. They are such because they work. If you overuse them, certainly you start to sound stagnated, but if you pick and choose them and put them in the right place I think it sounds great.
There are only 12 notes in music. There is also only so many combinations of those notes that sound good being played in sequence (melody.) The same is true for the combinations of notes that sound good being played together (harmony) and the rhythm has limitations as well. The beautiful thing about prog-metal is that bands try to push these basic musical concepts to the limits. If you go over the limits, it is no longer music, but organized noise.
Vanden Plas doesn't push those limits to the level that some bands do (less "proggy" maybe) but they do other things that set them apart from some of the others. One thing is Gunter's sound samples. I don't know where he gets that stuff, but to me he is second to none in his choice of tones he uses for the VP songs. For example at about the 4:49 mark of "Nightwalker" Gunter has this wicked jiit jiit jiit jiit sound. I certainly can't vocalize it with text, but he is in a class by himself in my ears.
Another thing is the yin and yang of Stephan and Andy (Kuntz.) Andy is about as excitable as a walnut. He prefers moody, laid back stuff. Stephan as one can tell by how he attacks the guitar probably likes to throw in Slayer riffs during VP practices. Those two probably struggle with each other at songwriting time, but that musical difference between the two give a real contrast on the songs.
Andreas also has amazed me as of the last release. Most musicians "peak" in their late 20's maybe early 30's but Andreas just woke up part of his brain or something. He has always been a good drummer and very tasteful, but not one of those guys you say..... "did you hear that shit ?" about. I have said that regarding his playing on the Christ 0 release.

To me, they are the Rolls Royce of prog-metal, but to each their own.


Bryant

 

[Bryant]

So you're saying, once they get rolling they can't stop themselves?

Ha ha ha good one !!


Bryant

 

[Taliwakker]

I like the use of "SOME" musical cliche's. They are such because they work. If you overuse them, certainly you start to sound stagnated, but if you pick and choose them and put them in the right place I think it sounds great.
There are only 12 notes in music. There is also only so many combinations of those notes that sound good being played in sequence (melody.) The same is true for the combinations of notes that sound good being played together (harmony) and the rhythm has limitations as well. The beautiful thing about prog-metal is that bands try to push these basic musical concepts to the limits. If you go over the limits, it is no longer music, but organized noise.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...i'm a music teacher...and you can do lots of stuff with 12 notes...but thats besides the point....and if i did have point to start with it was that sometimes i think VP sometimes take the more obvious melodic and harmonic choices available to them. Its hard to avoid sometimes....i just wish they'd try harder sometimes.
Listened to some samples off the new cd earlier and one of the songs called "Holes in the Sky" employed the old (insert root note)5,b6,6,b6 progression....in laymans terms think "Kashmir" or "James Bond".....the world doesn't need another variation on that riff i tell ya.......This is really a general criticism of a lot of bands though and not just VP, who i do like as a rule.

 

[Taliwakker]

So you're saying, once they get rolling they can't stop themselves?

Christ O should have been recalled.....i almost fell asleep at the wheel listening to it.

 

[imaskinbeater]

I've been listening to this album for a few weeks and IMO it's their best release so far. Seriously, it's THAT good

 

[edgeofthorns]

I still don't get Circus Maximus. Considering all the other bands I like, I should like them but I just find them to be blah for some reason. I know, I know I'm going to get hell for that line, but it's true. I've tried my damnest due to how much people both on this forum and the prog community in general like them, but something just doesn't quite fit with my ears.

You won't catch hell for your opinion from me. I don't understand it, but I respect it.

I enjoy Circus Maximus quite a bit, but they're not even in the same league as Vanden Plas. Seriously, go back and listen to Accult and tell me CM could have pulled that off.

Justin, when it comes to music, I generally agree with you. With that said, I couldn't disagree with your statement above more.

I like VP...but have always felt that actually lacked "something"...

Me too...very generic in my opinion.

Christ O should have been recalled.....i almost fell asleep at the wheel listening to it.

I tried and I tried to like Christ O, mainly due to the hype here on the board. It just boiled down to the fact that it simply sounded boring to me.

~Brian~