Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Vanden Plas
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2015
Length: 60:15
Rating: 4.5/5
Vanden Plas, the long-running German progressive metal heavyweights from Karlsruhe, added a second part of the saga of the chronicles of the immortals to the first one in early November last year. It’s the second half of a rock opera born from the band’s collaboration with the acclaimed German author Wolfgang Hohlbein, and the pair share the title “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II”.
A year has passed since Vanden Plas released the first part. And the result? Another strikingly beautiful, fully realized studio piece. It’s the band’s eighth overall, from a group that keeps pushing its compositions toward ever more demanding twists and turns from one album to the next, never hiding its ambition in the sheer complexity of the arrangements. Everything you expect and demand from Vanden Plas is here. It’s another document of fearless, seamlessly fitted-together puzzle pieces, where the complexity and technical demands at the core of the progressive metal genre walk hand in hand with the infectious musicality of the lead motifs from start to finish, and not for a second do the two quarrel along the way. Over the years of defiance, Vanden Plas have developed a feel for the subtle build-up of moods, through song structure, interpretation, and in constant harmony with the unfolding story of the chosen concept. Once again they remain absolute masters of their craft, and “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II” never stops thrilling as you uncover its contents, peeling back veil after veil of its richly dense, detailed musical and sonic landscape.
So here is the second part of the saga of the immortal hero Andrej Delãny. The ending of the first part was dark. There’s no salvation for the main hero, the plans of the evil “Godmaker” will come to pass, and everything seems lost. But “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II” turns the course of events around. A small, faintly flickering ray of light shines through, bringing complete redemption at last. That means the man finally becomes »mortal«. Andrej ends up stranded between two worlds (»Netherworld«), caught in the raging war between the heavenly world and the world of eternal darkness. He has to meet an ancient being who leads him to enlightenment, but the road there is full of temptations. Until you find the answers to the questions within yourself, you’re far from the real truth, and the path to it gives you a clear vision to follow. That’s your true path. The path to redemption.
The story of the collaboration between Vanden Plas and a huge fan of the band, the acclaimed German fantasy author Wolfgang Hohlbein, who has sold over 43 million works over his career, is nothing new. At Wolfgang’s own initiative, Vanden Plas set his work »Die Chronik der Unsterblichen« to music, and playing in theaters became a second name for Vanden Plas. Even though the musical concept was already created for the whole story, Vanden Plas decided to record »Chronicles of the Immortals« in two parts and release two albums.
The second part is another outstanding album, and the short gap between the first and second parts of the saga brings no sense of ideas running dry, of being robbed, or of emotional depletion when it comes to the power of the performance itself. Vocalist Andy Kuntz remains one of a kind. His voice is a double-edged sword. You either love it or you hate it. There’s no in-between. Once again he’s cast himself brilliantly in the roles he takes on, and his immersion, with its authentic reach of passion and emotion, remains the main source of this record’s swagger. On top of the finesse already mentioned, the band walks the thin line between technical demands and musical catchiness. The album once again blends both spheres of songwriting perfectly into a unique musical conglomerate, from a unique band with a unique musical vision. Simple as that. If you’re a Vanden Plas fan, you already have this album at home, and then some. Both albums have to be listened to back to back. In order. First part first, then the second. On headphones, at home in peace and quiet, in your favorite armchair. It sinks into your ear slowly, but once it’s anchored there, every listen will reveal new and new »little things« in the layered perception of musical magic, which once again holds nothing back and hides none of the compositional ambition of these fine patrons of progressive metal, their big hearts and creative honesty. »Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II« is another thrilling musical document. It has a unique musical atmosphere, just as the chemistry of this band is unique, a band that has been creating and performing from the very start with a completely unchanged lineup.
Lineup
Andy Kuntz – vocals
Stephan Lill – guitar
Günter Werno – keyboards
Torsten Reichert – bass guitar
Andreas Lill – drums
Production
Vanden Plas & Markus Teske
Tracklist
1. VISION 11even * In My Universe
2. VISION 12elve * Godmaker´S Temptation
3. VISION 13teen * Stone Roses Edge
4. VISION 14teen * Blood Of Eden (* All love must die) (* The rite)(* This is the night)
5. VISION 15teen * Monster
6. VISION 16teen * Diabolica Comedia
7. VISION 17teen * Where Have The Children Gone
8. VISION 18teen * The Last Fight
9. VISION 19teen * Circle Of The Devil
