Vanden Plas - Beyond Daylight
2002 - InsideOut
http://www.dprp.net/reviews/images/beyond-day.jpg
Vanden Plas is a German Neo Prog Metal band that has mastered the genre. They combine virtuoso instrumentation and infectious rhythm.
In my opinion they are the premier German Prog band. (perhaps surpassed by Poverty's No Crime)
Beyond Daylight is possibly their solidest album so far. Catchy hooks everywhere and the songwriting is excellent. They are not a band that consists soley of songs constructed around solos.
Highlights:
Track 1
Nightwalker - Great album opener. The intro is a little synth section then the riff which is full of pinch harmonics. Andy Kuntz voice is not that of a typical prog metal vocalist. Ecellent orchestration in this track. One of the most noticable things about VP are their very textured songs. Good solo spot too.
Track 2
Cold Wind - Another excellent track. The chorus is incredibly catchy and like most of there stuff is immaculatly produced. A few whacky time signatures make this track interesting.
Track 3
Scarlet Flower Fields - One of my favourite songs on the album. Soft intro builds up to a powerful chorus. I haven't really analysed the lryics but this one sounds like it means something. Kuntz uses all his vocal range on this one. The drumming is a hightlight here.
I'll leave it here or I would just end up reviewing them all and no one wants to read a long boring review.
Positives:
Excellent production
Virtuoso instrumentation
No poor tracks or fillers
Negatives:
May be written off a DT clone
Most of the album is fairly similar sounding
Overall:
Excellent album and highly recommended for any prog metal fan. Similar to LTE and Symphony X.
5/5
