A PLAS IN THE SUN

Published:

The new album from German progressive metal masters Vanden Plas is part one of a two part concept project, with the second album to be released in 2020.
The ninth studio release by the quintet, ‘The Ghost Xperiment – Awakening’ continues to underscore the high artistic level of musicianship and lyrical creativity that the band have sustained for so long. Based on an actual documented paranormal experiment, the main character in the story, created by frontman Andy Kuntz, is Gideon Grace, a man who has to fight constantly for his life against the relentless shadows of the ‘House of Rain’ as he wanders through France. Burdened with a heavy weight of sorrow following the agonising death of his beloved Ivy, Gideon’s pain is also the driving force in the war with
his demons. He expands his knowledge with books that he discovers in the library of a German school of metaphysics, and it is here that he reads about secret teachers and parapsychological experiments, which become an important foundation from which he can fight against the creatures of darkness. However, when it comes to the first showdown, rather than finding peace, Gideon’s battle tears open a hole deep into the abyss of Hell….
Musically, Vanden Plas once again offers up a perfect combination of heavy and melodic styles, with the orchestral arrangements less to the fore in comparison to their previous album. Simultaneously, the band returns closer to its original roots via progressive elements heard in songs such as ‘The God Thing’ or ‘Far Off Grace’. Overall, the six mostly lengthy tracks achieve an impressive and fascinating effect
through a very band-oriented arrangement, so that the clear, intense urgency of the songs shines through naturally. The listener is captivated from the start by the epic songs and the story told through the lyrics.
A product of the band’s trusted collaborations with sound engineer Markus Teske at Bazement Studios, ‘The Ghost Xperiment – AwakenIng’ is a phenomenal album that yet again proves why Vanden Plas are among prog metal’s elite class.
THE GHOST XPERIMENT – AWAKENING
TRACKLISTING
1  Cold December Night  7:20
2  The Phantoms Of Prends-Toi-Gardes  5:23
3  Three Ghosts  8:48
4  Devils´ Poetry  9:43
5  Fall From The Skies  9:31
6  The Ghost Xperiment  5:54

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VANDEN PLAS
Andy Kuntz – vocals
Stephan Lill – guitar
Günter Werno – keyboards
Andreas Lill – drums
Torsten Reichert – bass

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