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Vanden Plas

The Seraphic Clockwork

Written by: PP on 27/07/2010 21:55:53

I've been spinning the Vanden Plas record for quite a while now to find some redeeming aspects about it, but I can't seem to locate more than just a couple of tracks that are worth mentioning in this review. You see, they are a German progressive metal band with strong leaning on heavy metal of the most generic kind (huge melodic soundscapes and stereotypical clean vocals to the genre) who have been writing the same stuff on repeat since their 1994 debut "Colour Temple". "The Seraphic Clockwork" is their sixth full length album, and it's likely go down like bread on butter for the German fans of this genre, whilst the rest of the world rolls their eyes while trying to understand how fans of heavy metal keep sucking up unoriginal, uninspired, un-innovative releases by their thousands year after year. Is some originality or desire to push the envelope really too much to ask for? Apparently so.

During 72 minutes, Vanden Plas cycle through nine tracks of run-of-the-mill progressive heavy metal. As usual, these guys are wizards at their instruments, blasting out one insane solo after another, layering keyboards and some pitch-perfect vocal work on top, so you can't fault them for not being fantastic musicians. But being able to solo through all the frets on your guitar forwards, backwards and sideways doesn't necessarily make you a good songwriter. "Scar Of An Angel", "Frequency" and perhaps "Sound Of Blood" are the decent songs that I mentioned earlier, but even here, it's nothing you wouldn't have heard before, or better. Hints of Dream Theater, et al, can be found all across the record, but lets be honest here and only give credit where it's due, and leave the imitators playing in the average ratings.

Download: Frequency, Scar Of An Angel
For the fans of: Dream Theater, Redemption, Andromeda
Listen: Myspace

Release date 04.06.2010
Frontiers Records