I haven’t had this much difficulty explaining why I like an album in some time. Vanden Plas is hit or miss for me; I particularly liked their 2014-2015 Chronicles of the Immortals albums, and 2010’s The Seraphic Clockwork and 2006’s Christ 0 are classics in the prog metal genre. The new one is called The Empyrean Equation of the Long Lost Things and it released today, April 19th, through Frontiers Music.
Vanden Plas come to us from Germany, and they’ve been making music since the early 90s. I suppose you could say that they were one of the half dozen bands who kept the prog metal torch going through that decade. The current lineup is Andy Kuntz on vocals, Stephan Lill on guitars, Andreas Lill on drums, Alessandro Del Vecchio on keys, and Torsten Reichert on bass.
The band plays a classic prog metal sound. I’ll be upfront about that. They offer great riffs, piano and keyboard atmospheres, classic rock vocals, and a hefty rhythm section. Their music has always been philosophical, jumping in the deep end lyrically. I mean, look at that album title, right? Many of their albums are well-winded with concepts and religious imagery, or even scientific terminology. They are an interesting band, for sure.
But why this album for me? I’m not sure. Andy sounds great on vocals; I like the many upper range harmonies and notes he hits. For some reason, it makes the album feel starkly human and emotional, almost like it is advocating for us all. I’m really enjoying the performances, especially the guitars and keys, too. But there is something less tangible and more cinematic that keeps drawing me back to this record. It feels like fantasy, but also like reality. It’s a good tone.
Maybe there’s just something comforting about a progressive metal album that doesn’t try too hard, you know? The first half of the album really leans into that. The opening title track is full of beautiful piano, pining emotions, guitar solos, and a great main riff. I like it a lot. “My Icarian Flight” has a nice, sauntering riff that feels very warm and inviting. Great chorus on that one, too. “Sanctimonarium” is the first epic, but a shorter one at 10 minutes. It has a great keyboard and monastic air about it, feeling almost like retro prog rock at times. Overall, the first half is rock solid.
The second half is my favorite, though. “The Sacrilegious Mind Machine” is one of the best songs on the album. It has more edge, and the elevated range of the chorus just makes me want to sing along with it. I think this song has my favorite vocals from Andy on the album. “They Call Me God” is just as good, though. I like how it feels like a metaphysical ballad at first, but soon adds guitars and then climactic final minutes that really sell the cinematic and lyrical pomp. The closer “March of the Saints” is great, too. This epic clocks in at 15 minutes and feels ancient and heavy, despite the quieter segments. I like how it ends with tender piano. I always like that sort of thing.
Vanden Plas have a great album on their hands. This is one album that doesn’t overstay its welcome and that feels very united and focused in its presentation. All the performances are excellent, and you’ll be singing along in no time. Give it a try.
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Find Vanden Plas online:
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The PROG Mind 
New listener and love what I hear. Thank you for the music!!
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