Though Vanden Plas have quite amazingly had the same line-up since they formed way back in 1986, they only really came to my (and many other’s) attention with their second album “The God Thing” in 1997. They were part of Europe’s late 90’s answer to the growing popularity of Progressive Metal spear-headed by Dream Theater State-side. Vanden Plas, along with the likes of Dreamscape, Time Machine, Ivanhoe, Eldritch, Poverty’s No Crime and Lion’s Share (to name but a few) had their own take on the whole Prog Metal thing this side of the Atlantic. It was a great time to be into the genre and it seemed like there was another credible act emerging every other month, but Vanden Plas (a term adopted in manufacturing to mean high-end luxury quite succinctly…until British Leyland started using it on their cars of course…) really were from the premier league.
And they still are. Oozing class from every pore, they haven’t really deviated very much at all in sound, approach or style in the last 20 years, yet each new Vanden Plas release seems like both a breath of fresh air AND welcoming back an old friend. But what’s with this rather pretentious sounding “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld – Path 1” title then? I thought suspiciously before hearing the album. Well the difference with this latest offering is actually in the back-story. All will become clear…if I can just get this right;
Author Wolfgang Hohlbein, has sold over 43 million books worldwide. He is Germany’s biggest selling author. He is also a fan of Vanden Plas (which is pretty cool!), and he suggested they collaborate to create a ‘rock opera’ for the stage based on his series “The Chronicle of the Immortals” – The result was “Bloodnight” (or “Blutnacht” of course). Vanden Plas singer Andy Kuntz (along with Hohlbein and Dieter Winkler) wrote the words/lyrics (or “Libretto” if you prefer – yeah, get me with the posh terms – unfortunately I can’t take the credit – it was in the press release…). VP members Stephan Lill, Günter Werno and Andy Kuntz composed 19 songs for said stage production and Kuntz also played the lead role on stage with the rest of the band as part of the orchestra. All reports state it was a huge success. But of course the band wanted to turn the theatre piece into a proper Vanden Plas album. “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld – Path 1” has 10 tracks – basically the first act of “Bloodnight.” (“Path 2,” the ‘second half’ as it were, is scheduled for release early 2015). Vocal changes have been made so that Kuntz plays the part of a narrator/storyteller rather than a character along with other singers as he did on stage (though there are some nicely executed guest female vocals on the album used to great effect) – presumably this is to give the album a more unified, typically Vanden Plas sound.
And it really is pure Vanden Plas, musically, vocally and in delivery and arrangement. It’s a full-on, top quality Progressive Metal album. If I hadn’t read the back-story I would never have known this had started life as a stage production. Mamma Mia it is not… Vanden Plas are as polished, silky-smooth and professional as ever, and it’s only when you really listen you realise how unique within a crowded genre they actually still are. They have lasted this long for a reason and no better evidence can be given than right here on this album. It is truly epic, in most senses of the word, massive in sound, ambition, composition, attitude and production. Any criticisms? That’s really tough. The album is a grower, so I guess on first or second listen nothing chorus-wise hooks you in, but that’s not what VP have ever been about so it’s unfair to pull them up on that (and just to prove me wrong, I found myself humming the vocal line to the excellent ‘Soul Alliance’ after just two spins). And besides, there is SO much more going on that a catchy chorus would probably sound out of place. Every musician on here is at the top of their game. Every part of every musical layer seems to have room to breathe (sometimes/often lacking in Prog Metal), and when you listen past the lead instrument or vocal, some other band member is doing something clever or intricate that could have been so easily missed. There is light and shade in abundance (both musically and vocally), each complimenting the other perfectly.
Vanden Plas really are pure class. “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld – Path 1” is just further testament to that. Another step in a career that has been up there with the best in their field for over fifteen years. I know some people say that if you have found a winning formula then stick with it – and Vanden Plas have…it’s just they’ve found a way of just pushing that winning formula just a little bit higher.
(9/10 Andy Barker)
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