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Vanden Plas: The Ghost Xperiment-Illumination

Back in 2019, German progressive metal veterans Vanden Plas delivered the first of a two-part conceptual series with The Ghost Xperiment-Awakening, and now they are back in a big way with the sequel for Frontiers Records, The Ghost Xperiment - Illumination. These guys are no strangers to grand conceptual epics, and Andy Kuntz (vocals), Stephan Lill (guitar), Günter Werno (keyboards), Andreas Lill (drums), and Torsten Reichert (bass) as always do not disappoint one bit on this latest release. Continuing on with the story of Gideon Grace, this paranormal tale continues to unfold here, and for anyone into ghost stories, and certainly expertly played progressive metal, you've come to the right place.

Clocking in at just over an hour, The Ghost Xperiment - Illumination is a little bit longer than its predecessor, but it's a fast & exciting ride that doesn't lose its luster one bit through the whole experience. "When the World is Falling Down" contains a wealth of heavy riffing, blazing guitar & synth solo trade-offs, and of course Kuntz's sensational vocals. "Under the Horizon" is another heavy hitter, packing plenty of heavy metal intensity on the riff front while also dazzling with prog majesty & complexity. "Black Waltz Death" is more of a lush piece, gorgeous piano and synths supporting a stellar Kuntz vocal, with some guest backing vocals adding a richness to the arrangement that makes it one of the must hear pieces on the album. Toss in a blazing guitar solo from Lill and you have an absolute symphonic metal gem. The dramatic "The Lonely Psychogon" bubbles and boils, chock full of tasty synths courtesy of the talented Werno, while "Fatal Arcadia" is one of the albums more complex pieces, a real treat for prog-metal fans who can't get enough intricate riffs, gymnastic drumming, and blazing keyboard lines. "The Ouroboros" is the big epic on the album at just over 13-minutes long, and it's another majestic, symphonic slice of progressive metal, Kuntz again soaring to the heavens over some spectacular arrangements and solo spots. The tranquil "Ghost Engineers" closes things out in gorgeous fashion, allowing for the band and the listener to exhale and take the whole experience in.

Musically and lyrically, this is pretty fantastic stuff, Vanden Plas once again showing why they are one of the premiere prog-metal bands on the planet, and quite frankly, have been for a long time. Don't miss this one!


Track Listing
01.When The World Is Falling Down 7:06
02.Under The Horizon 6:46
03.Black Waltz Death 8:11
04.The Lonely Psychogon 8:22
05.Fatal Arcadia 8:22
06.The Ouroboros 13:02
07.Ghost Engineers 4:49
08.Krieg Kennt Keine Sieger (bonus track) 4:27

Added: February 12th 2021
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2088
Language: english

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Vanden Plas: The Ghost Xperiment-Illumination
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2021-02-13 00:35:19
My Score:

Released a year on from part one of this supernatural concept piece, Vanden Plas offer us the concluding segment, The Ghost Xperiment-Illumination. The first CD in this tale found the German outfit at their best, their ability to weave some hugely complex instrumentation into memorable song frameworks standing this band right at the peak of the prog-metal pack. Whereas a lot of the acts in this realm are simply looking to dazzle with excess, Vanden Plas do so while never letting go of the fact that dizzy-fingers and virtuosity alone, quickly lose their excitement. Instead, here, as with pretty much everything else in this band’s catalogue, come back for more of the majestically powerful opener “When The World Is Falling Down” and it simply becomes ever more stick in the mind memorable.

One of many aces in their pack, Andy Kuntz is a singer of real character, easily standing out against the full on prog-metal attack, while just as at home when asked to stand front and centre, as he does at the beginning of “Under The Horizon”. The gyrating riff that follows takes things into almost symphonic/power territory, with the likes of Kamelot given a run for their money but with the chorus here incredibly uplifting, the willingness to incorporate different attacks is never needlessly abused.

From the urgent but soaring “The Lonely Psychogon” to the beautifully poised “Ghost Engineers” nary a foot is put wrong, the combination of guitarist Stephan Lill and keyboard player Günther Werno balanced impeccably, with the latter track not even featuring Lill at all, such is its restrained nature. However, most of this album is formed round resplendent riffs and the man responsible for them is a master. Something borne out on the 13 minute “The Ouroboros” and then some, while the closing hammer fist of “Krieg Kennt Keine Sieger” (a Saltatio Mortis cover) may well be nothing but a bonus cut but it’s incredible nonetheless. After all, this band simply don’t do throwaway, do they?

A fully rounded, involving concept wrapped across music that surrounds the senses and holds you transfixed throughout, from other bands The Ghost Xperiment-Illumination would be seen as a crowning achievement. For Vanden Plas it’s merely business as usual, but then business isn’t just good, it’s positively booming.



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