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"With "The Empyrean Equation of The Long Lost Things", Vanden Plas offers us (yet again) an excellent album of progressive metal in all its creative splendour, melodic and epic, heavy and devilishly enjoyable."
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5/5
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If there's one progressive metal band fans can count on, it's Vanden Plas. A glance at the band's discography since its inception 30 years ago reveals exemplary musical quality and longevity, only marred last year by the departure of a band member for the first time since 1990. Replacing Günter Werno on keyboards is Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Jorn, Hardline).
On this new album, Vanden Plas does Vanden Plas. Faithful to their precepts, the band delivers this year's "The Empyrean Equation of The Long Lost Things" in line with what they've been producing for some ten years now: progressive metal with fantastic stories and adventures narrated to perfection by Andy Kuntz, over whom time has no hold, and set to music by Stephan Lill, whose creative abundance is matched only by his virtuosity.
Musically, fans are in for a treat, with compositions rich in epic, even symphonic instrumental passages (the first part of the eponymous opener), numerous rhythmic variations cleverly integrated into the tracks, expressive vocals accentuating the narration of always fascinating lyrics, and numerous memorable riffs and solos.
As is often the case, Stephan Lill is at the peak of his creative powers when it comes to composing and the guitar parts are undoubtedly the major asset of this new album. The solos are breathtaking in their virtuosity ('Sanctimonarium') and emotion ('They Call Me God'). The only drawback, if one were needed, is that the few instrumental repetitions on the longer tracks ('March Of The Saints' in particular) will give the faint-hearted a reason to grumble, but nothing to criticize.
Those who follow the German quintet won't be surprised: "The Empyrean Equation of The Long Lost Things" is (yet again) an excellent album of progressive metal in all its creative splendor, melodic and epic, heavy and devilishly enjoyable. Decidedly a Vanden Plas habit. Highly recommended. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
 01. The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
02. My Icarus Flight
03. Sanctimonarium
04. The Sacrilegious Mind Machine
05. They Call Me God
06. March Of The Saints
LINEUP:
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Claviers
Andreas Lill: Batterie
Andy Kuntz: Chant
Stephan Lill: Guitares
Torsten Reichert: Basse
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4.8/5 (6 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.3/5 (6 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH VANDEN PLAS
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LAST INTERVIEW
VANDEN PLAS (DECEMBER 22, 2020)
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On the occasion of the release of "The Ghost Experiment: Illumination", Stephan Lill confided at length to Music Waves
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT VANDEN PLAS
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