Frontiers
2010
1. Frequency
2. Holes In The Sky
3. Scar of an Angel
4. Sound of Blood
5. The Final Murder
6. Quicksilver
7. Rush of Silence
8. On My Way to Jerusalem
After a 4 year absence, Vanden Plas return with this, their latest effort. I've always been a moderate fan of Vanden Plas if not a huge one. In general, I'm not a big fan of progressive metal although I certainly do like some. I just tend to find more losers than winners in this subgenre.
Generally, I tend to tune out when bands get too long winded and experimental with less focus on good hooks. Vanden Plas can be a little one the self indulgent side with the long solo/jazz fusion sections, but not so much I can't enjoy their music. I think the difference maker is their riffs still tend to have some muscle and they don't get too bogged down it in.
On this one Vanden Plas pretty much lives up to my expectations and maybe even exceeds them a bit. Where as the last one was moderately enjoyable, I find myself digging the songs a bit more here. Chalk it up to inspiration in the songwriting process I guess, as stylistically not much has changed here. This may be just a little more riff oriented though or at least on some tracks. The shorter songs (and by shorter I mean 5 or 6 minutes) do tend to be my favorite songs as they're just more direct and to the point. Epics like On My Way To Jerusalem just seem a little long winded and do less for me, though none of these tracks are bad in any way.
Vanden Plas' basic sound could be summed up most concisely as heavier Dream Theater with more of a European touch and maybe a bit of Symphony X in the riffs, if not quite as heavy in vocals or even the riffs. Still, there's enough power and heaviness to keep me interested. There are also some nice orchestral touches to be found here and there.
In conclusion this a pretty worthy progressive metal album that doesn't get too bogged down in trying to be progressive. Make no mistake though, this is a prog album and I wouldn't really call it prog-power even if there is a slight touch of power. Definitely leans more the other way. I would recommend this one to fans of Dream Theater, Elegy, etc. If you're looking for a new progressive album than this might be up your alley.
Highlights: Frequency, Scar Of An Angel, Sound Of Blood
Rating - 3.5/5
2. Holes In The Sky
3. Scar of an Angel
4. Sound of Blood
5. The Final Murder
6. Quicksilver
7. Rush of Silence
8. On My Way to Jerusalem
After a 4 year absence, Vanden Plas return with this, their latest effort. I've always been a moderate fan of Vanden Plas if not a huge one. In general, I'm not a big fan of progressive metal although I certainly do like some. I just tend to find more losers than winners in this subgenre.
Generally, I tend to tune out when bands get too long winded and experimental with less focus on good hooks. Vanden Plas can be a little one the self indulgent side with the long solo/jazz fusion sections, but not so much I can't enjoy their music. I think the difference maker is their riffs still tend to have some muscle and they don't get too bogged down it in.
On this one Vanden Plas pretty much lives up to my expectations and maybe even exceeds them a bit. Where as the last one was moderately enjoyable, I find myself digging the songs a bit more here. Chalk it up to inspiration in the songwriting process I guess, as stylistically not much has changed here. This may be just a little more riff oriented though or at least on some tracks. The shorter songs (and by shorter I mean 5 or 6 minutes) do tend to be my favorite songs as they're just more direct and to the point. Epics like On My Way To Jerusalem just seem a little long winded and do less for me, though none of these tracks are bad in any way.
Vanden Plas' basic sound could be summed up most concisely as heavier Dream Theater with more of a European touch and maybe a bit of Symphony X in the riffs, if not quite as heavy in vocals or even the riffs. Still, there's enough power and heaviness to keep me interested. There are also some nice orchestral touches to be found here and there.
In conclusion this a pretty worthy progressive metal album that doesn't get too bogged down in trying to be progressive. Make no mistake though, this is a prog album and I wouldn't really call it prog-power even if there is a slight touch of power. Definitely leans more the other way. I would recommend this one to fans of Dream Theater, Elegy, etc. If you're looking for a new progressive album than this might be up your alley.
Highlights: Frequency, Scar Of An Angel, Sound Of Blood
Rating - 3.5/5
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