Author Topic: The Official Vanden Plas Thread (Read 30493 times)

jingle.boy · « **on:** December 13, 2013, 05:53:46 AM »

Kinda surprised that we don't have one yet. Well, just saw this on their FB feed this morning.

Quote

Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of VANDEN PLAS new concept album entitled "Chronicles of the Immortals -- Netherworld (Path 1)" on February 21st in Europe and February 24th in North America.

"Chronicles of the Immortals -- Netherworld" will include the following tracks:

VISION 1ne
VISION 2wo * THE BLACK KNIGHT *
VISION 3hree * GODMAKER *
VISION 4our * MISERY AFFECTION PRELUDE*
VISION 5ive * A GHOSTS REQUIEM *
VISION 6ix * NEW VAMPYRE *
VISION 7ven * THE KING AND THE CHILDREN OF LOST WORLD *
VISION 8ight * MISERY AFFECTION *
VISION 9ine * SOUL ALLIANCE *
Vision 10n * INSIDE *

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtPxTvF-NsM

Nice trailer.... they had me at "exceptional concept album"!

The same guy that got me in to DT got me in to VP about 10 years ago. Gave me Beyond Daylight. Was instantly hooked. Absolutely love everything about this band. Andy has such a distinct voice, it's the kind that you instantly know who you're listening to. I'd love to see Tobi or Arjen pick him up for a project.

I know there are a few fans of them around here. Report in. Discuss.

wolfking · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2013, 06:06:35 AM »

That has to be one of the best and most epic albums trailers ever. Sounds absolutely perfect and seems like it's picked up right where Seraphic Clockwork left off, which was an insanely amazing album.

This band is very underrated, they got chops and the songs, can't wait for this album.

bl5150 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2013, 06:11:26 AM »

I've followed them since the beginning (mid 90's) but for me they almost always fall short. The only album I haven't listened to (I do have it) is Seraphic Clockwork.

To me they don't have the songwriting chops to compete in the same space as DT - each album has one or two tracks I really like but I always find my attention drifting and thinking they're trying to be something they're not. I feel they're at their best when they focus more on melodic riff based metal and less on trying to be grandiose .

So to this day the only album that gets very high marks from me is the first - Colour Temple - ripping melodic metal , after which I think they tried a bit to hard to move into the realm of DT (and failed). I remember listening to Rainmaker (off The God Thing) for the first time - wicked track- and being glad they'd gone in that direction but over the rest of that album and on coming albums they very rarely nailed it like that IMHO. Colour Temple though barely has a weak track.

For some reason I keep buying their stuff in the hope they'll impress me again for more than one or two tracks. I'll have to find Seraphic Clockwork

jingle.boy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2013, 06:22:05 AM »

Yeah, I would put them somewhere right on the edge of being a GREAT melodic/metal act, but an above-average progressive/metal band. I love all their albums, maybe because of that - they don't try to get too flashy/technical, even thought they probably could. You've got the bands like DT, SX, Ayreon, Haken etc... that show off their technical prowess at every chance. Then there are bands like VP, Evergrey, Angra, Kamelot that can, but (by and large) restrain themselves.

T-ski · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2013, 07:51:09 AM »

the trailer tells me the band should not be in front of the camera.....at all.

kirksnosehair · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2013, 08:03:37 AM »

I love this band. One of the few remaining bands I buy a physical disc from whenever they release something. I agree that they're hugely underrated.

In fact, I think their last album was better than anything Dream Theater has released in 10 years.

Yeah, I went there.

krands85 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2013, 09:52:01 AM »

Quote from: T-ski on December 13, 2013, 07:51:09 AM

the trailer tells me the band should not be in front of the camera.....at all.

Yeah, the video was a bit iffy - aside from the music.

Really looking forward to this though, I love these guys. Shame they're not more well-known. Haven't listened to them for a while actually, I'll have to give their discography a spin soon

The release date seems to have changed already though - they posted February 14th on their FB page a week or 2 back, but now it's the 21st

Zook · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2013, 09:59:33 AM »

It's funny this thread appeared. The other day when I got to work half asleep, one of my co-workers who's a Dream Theater fan walked by and said "VANDENPLAS". I didn't know what the fuck he was saying, but then he's like, "have you heard of them?" A few seconds later after some blank staring, it finally dawned on me that he wasn't yelling at me in German, and was like, "oh yeah, Vanden Plas, yeah I listened to Christ 0 years ago, but it was pretty much background music, and I didn't think much of it".

The next day I gave the album a proper listen and while it certainly wasn't bad, it wasn't incredibaly gripping either. It might take a few more listens. We'll see. I remember when Christ 0 and 10,000 Days were the big craze when I first joined DT.net.

Shadow Ninja 2.0 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2013, 01:08:53 PM »

Well, the cover art looks really cool. I may pick it up just for that.

gazinwales · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2013, 01:13:27 PM »

Yes superb underrated band, who have been delivering quality album after album.
Perhaps the last remaining prog metal band that I am actually interested in these days.

wolfking · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2013, 01:54:48 PM »

Quote from: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on December 13, 2013, 01:08:53 PM

Well, the cover art looks really cool. I may pick it up just for that.

You would solely buy an album just for the cover?

Shadow Ninja 2.0 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2013, 01:57:54 PM »

...Maybe.

wolfking · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2013, 01:58:45 PM »

wow, okay.

kirksnosehair · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2013, 02:04:44 PM »

Quote from: T-ski on December 13, 2013, 07:51:09 AM

the trailer tells me the band should not be in front of the camera.....at all.

I really love Vanden Plas a lot, but, um, yeah. They appear to have great faces for radio.

Phoenix87x · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2013, 08:32:23 PM »

Sounds like a step in the right direction. I loved Christ.0 but felt let down by seraphic clockwork. Just could not get into it.

Lowdz · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2013, 04:03:56 AM »

I bought Far Off Grace years ago and liked it. Nothing really grabbed me since and I haven't listened to them in years. The newie sounds good. Looks like I'm going to have to relisten. They just slipped me by a bit I guess.
Agree with Kade that Andy has a great voice. Very distinct.

krands85 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2014, 01:39:25 PM »

New song - Vision 3hree "Godmaker"

jingle.boy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2014, 01:47:42 PM »

Nice. But these guys were not built for camera. Stick to music.

TAC · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2014, 01:56:27 PM »

Sounds pretty damn good!

MonagFam · « **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2014, 02:11:41 PM »

I'm a big Vanden Plas fan. I think I started with Christ.O and then picked up most of their back catalog of studio albums. I'm excited for the upcoming album.

goo-goo · « **Reply #20 on:** January 13, 2014, 06:14:21 PM »

wolfking · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2014, 04:39:58 AM »

Man these guys suck in front of the camera.

Is it just me, or does Andy look pretty much the same playing that character?

Not the catchiest tune to put out IMO, but I'm liking it. Sounds like a good continuation of Clockwork.

krands85 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2014, 11:58:50 AM »

I was on Amazon earlier and noticed they were suggesting the album to me. This page has 30second previews of each song:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00HGLO7NC

Also, here's a review they linked to on their FB: https://www.ladyobscure.com/albums/vanden-plas-chronicles-of-the-immortals-netherworld/

jingle.boy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2014, 12:49:15 PM »

^ Yeah... read that review this morning.

Can't remember if Progradar is a member here too. RJ?

lonestar · « **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2014, 12:55:47 PM »

No, he isn't. But he's a great reviewer and a hell of a nice guy.

And I'll back up every word of that review.

gazinwales · « **Reply #25 on:** February 07, 2014, 01:44:11 PM »

Got mine pre-ordered already, one of the very few remaining prog metal bands that hold any interest for me.

obscure · « **Reply #26 on:** February 08, 2014, 01:36:30 AM »

Progradar's review is amazing...
7th track on the album is the best prog piece I've heard recently... downright sick!

Evermind · « **Reply #27 on:** February 08, 2014, 06:12:59 AM »

Listened to this album this morning and can't stop listening now, must be a fourth or fifth spin already. It's just that amazing. Must buy for every fan.

A bit sad part two is still a year away.

gazinwales · « **Reply #28 on:** February 08, 2014, 06:23:33 AM »

It's out already or has it leaked?
Amazon UK is is February 24th release date?

Evermind · « **Reply #29 on:** February 08, 2014, 06:26:33 AM »

Nope, it's not out, nor it has been leaked as far as I know, I just have an access to a promo.

Progradar · « **Reply #30 on:** February 11, 2014, 03:48:30 AM »

Hi guys, I am the aforementioned Progradar and am still digging this album mightily, my recommendation would be to buy it and see what all the, definitely warranted, fuss is all about!!

jingle.boy · « **Reply #31 on:** February 11, 2014, 11:01:21 AM »

One of my more highly anticipated releases this year. It will be a release day purchase for sure.

metrojam · « **Reply #32 on:** February 21, 2014, 01:34:50 PM »

Heard it three times already today and majestic, massive, melodic, heavy, progressive are just some of the words that immediately spring to mind. Gonna take some CD to beat this as my Prog metal album of 2014.
The production is HUGE and puts DT's last CD and the muddy LALP to utter shame in that respect (and in others too!!).
HIGHLY recommended and best listened to with quality earphones too.

krands85 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 21, 2014, 02:33:02 PM »

I had my first listen earlier and nothing really grabbed me right away, but that doesn't surprise me - it's normally the case for me with most albums, I'll need plenty of listens to get to grips with it.

I was pleased they toned down the track lengths a bit (not something I usually say about prog-metal), as I felt a few of the songs on the previous album went on for too long. It does sound great sonically too, on first listen. VP and Haken, among others, have shown what you can do with a limited budget and resources. Wish DT would take a page out of their books.

Destiny Of Chaos · « **Reply #34 on:** February 21, 2014, 03:44:19 PM »

Just watched the trailer for the first time. Overture 1927 anyone?

I'll be getting this soon, as VP's last two albums are masterpieces.

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Author Topic: The Official Vanden Plas Thread (Read 30493 times)