I suppose many have been able to digest enough of this release to create a good opinion of it. What do ya'll think of it ?
Bryant
Bryant
The Seraphic Clockwork opinions ?
- Thread starter Bryant
- Start date
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
It hasn't clicked for me, and I don't suspect it will. In many ways, it feels like the last Redemption release; all the elements I enjoyed from previous works are present, yet the songs fail to grab me. I think in the case of both bands, the music feels sterile. As if they were working off some sort of checklist, where they made it a point to ensure that all the proper ingredients were in the mix. However, something quite necessary, and equally intangible, was left out.
Clark Griswold
WallyWorld anyone?
I give it a 8.5/10.
I love the concept and the music is well written. As said before, the elements are there as if it were a checklist. But isn't that what we've come to expect from Vanden Plas? They will continue to be one of my favorite bands.
I love the concept and the music is well written. As said before, the elements are there as if it were a checklist. But isn't that what we've come to expect from Vanden Plas? They will continue to be one of my favorite bands.
LarryD
Member
To my ears -- its a combination of Far Off GRace meets Christ O, with a slicker, more epic production .......
I'm surprised at the many Vanden Plas fans who aren't digging this one, its a logical step up from Christ O with the aggression of Far Off Grace, and the slickness of Christ O .....
This will be in my Top 3 for the year easily, if not #1 .......
I'm surprised at the many Vanden Plas fans who aren't digging this one, its a logical step up from Christ O with the aggression of Far Off Grace, and the slickness of Christ O .....
This will be in my Top 3 for the year easily, if not #1 .......
zedowns
Member
What was the last PROG METAL disc that you really loved? I feel the same way about this and agree on Redemption, too. Futures End came close, but I have to go back to 07 to find something that I really love and want to listen to again.
The Invisible Guest
Member
I'm with Larry D on this one ... can't understand how someone who liked Christ Zero couldn't at least find The Seraphic Clockwork somewhat enjoyable. The playing is excellent, the singing is very good, and the concept of the story is interesting. Also, the lyrics are excellent, and the production is top notch.
Britt
Britt
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Looking back on it, there's seems to be a significant shortage of great Prog Metal. Between 2005 - 2009, the only Prog Metal releases I'd qualify as "great" are:
Futures End - Memoirs of a Broken Man (2009)
Redemption - The Origins of Ruin (2007)
Circus Maximus - Isolate (2007)
Zero Hour - Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond (2006)
Redemption - The Fullness of Time (2005)
Circus Maximus - The 1st Chapter (2005)
Riverside - Second Life Syndrome (2005)
I found it to be dry, unimaginative, and sleep inducing. There were only a couple moments where my ears found something to enjoy listen to, and it was at its least metal moments. Which would be fine, except those are so few and far between, and its easy to find far better elsewhere.
In the end, the music is about as simple as a Hammerfall album, but far less fun.
In the end, the music is about as simple as a Hammerfall album, but far less fun.
Diamond45
Terminate Bad Music
I really dig a couple of songs on there, but there are a few songs that are a bit too slow for me. But I'm not a huge prog fan, so I really can't give it a true review like others on here can.
Count me out as one who doesn't like it. I honestly think this is the greatest release of all time. I will admit that I am a very long-time fan and in fact have considered VP my favorite band probably since FOG. However, being such a big fan has also brought huge expectations with each release since the first I heard (TGT.) They have yet again exceeded my expectations. They have incorporated the choir vocals and symphony more cleverly into the songs. The guitar work is the best Stephan has ever done and I can say the same for Andy's vocals. The songs are extensively layered with intricacies and the over-all sound is huge and majestic. I could type adjectives forever about the release, but I suppose I have made my point. There won't be anything that will come out in the near future that will challenge this in my ears. If i does, it is going to be a real whopper.....
I couldn't agree more. Individually, the guys from VP are all excellent musicians..... Gunter probably being one of the most elite keyboard players out there, and Andy has never sounded better, but VP is much greater than the sum of the parts as well. I am completely dumbfounded by this thing. It is beyond any adjective I can come up with.
Bryant
Harvester
The Promoter
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Harvester
The Promoter
The Invisible Guest
Member
None of these make my list. Some of them are pretty good, but don't fall into the "great" category for me. Harv's suggestion of Dead Reckoning would make my list.
This would make for a great new topic, Greg.
Britt
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Thanks. I'll spin that up now.
Really? I would have guessed at least one of the CM discs would have been up there. Just curious... which are your Top Prog discs? Feel free to reply in a new thread, as to not completely threadjack Bryant.
Hey quit being a troll. This is a Vanden Plas post. What is up with that ugly ass avatar anyway, parrothead ?
Bryant
SkiBumMSP
Member
I finally managed to snag a copy of this.
Personally, I really do like this. That one post did hit on the head in my opinion about it having the aggressiveness of Far of Grace and the slickness of Christ 0. Will it completely blow me out of the chair? Not likely, but this is one damn fine album in my not so humble opinion.
Personally, I really do like this. That one post did hit on the head in my opinion about it having the aggressiveness of Far of Grace and the slickness of Christ 0. Will it completely blow me out of the chair? Not likely, but this is one damn fine album in my not so humble opinion.
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