Label: Frontiers 2019
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
Their previous attempt at world domination, "Chronicles Of The Immortals - Netherworld", the very ambitious two album effort and collaboration between Vanden Plas and fantasy writer Wolfgang Hohlbein. Perhaps a wee bit too ambitious as yours truly thought the following and I quote: "It's frankly just a blur of all the ancient sagas and stories. All this could still not put me off if the album came with great compositions. Sadly they are not quite as great as the grand concept as they lack killer hooks and epic chorus parts. It goes on like a sturdy tractor and at its sudden halt, you still don't recall that many parts or main riffs", end quote. Perhaps a wee bit harsh? Nah. It's their most ambitious work up to date, but unfortunately not quite their best material.
On the other hand, "The Ghost Xperiment: AwakenIng", the complete surprise and 'back to the roots' kind of album, including proper riffing, progressive arrangements, longer songs, and powerful melodies. It's however still a two part concept album, with the second part 'Illumination' to be released in 2020. The story is based on an actual documented paranormal experiment. The main character must constantly fight for his life against the relentless shadows and through knowledge with books he finds in the library of a school of metaphysics, he reads about secret teachers and parapsychological experiments, which become an important foundation from which he can fight against the creatures of darkness. Yes, well... excellent?
This time around the focus has shifted more on to the actual compositions and away from the orchestrations. Everything from the opening track of "Cold December Night" to the closing title track reek of experience and proper musicianship. They've been releasing records for twenty five years by now and this time it's hardly a tractor rather than a Ferrari at full speed.
If you're searching for comparisons for The Ghost Xperiment, the closest is obviously Dream Theater, but quite frankly that doesn't always do this German band justice. Sure, there are many hints at Theater especially considering the arrangements, only six tracks, but there is more to Vanden Plas than that. They have carved out a sound and place all of their own. Guitarist Stephan Lill and keyboardist Günter Werno takes the band into the realm of the the truly great. The interaction between the two something out of the ordinary and they combine flashy guitar work with great waves of keyboards and piano to great effect. Add to this a killer rhythm section (Andreas Lill on drums, Torsten Reichert on bass) and splendid vocals by Andy Kuntz, and you're all set to go Proggy. Recommended.
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