Accult [Import]

Vanden Plas (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Insid
• ASIN: B00001ZTOQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,411 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Germany

2. My Crying

3. Theme From Pseudo Silk Kimono

4. Kayleigh

5. Father

6. Georgia On My Mind

7. How Many Tears

8. Des Hauts Des Bas

9. Spanish Rain

10. Days Of Thunder

11. Raining In My Heart (Bonus)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bold and Beautiful second album., August 13, 2003

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Accult (Audio CD)

German progressive metallers Vanden Plas made a bold move with their second release. Instead of sticking with the popular Dream Theater-esque style they employed so well on their debut album Colour Temple, they opted instead to release an acoustic album. This was a risky move for a relatively new band trying to establish themselves in the progressive metal arena, but Accult proved that Vanden Plas was a talented group of musicians and songwriters even without the amplifiers and various other studio tricks.

The stripped-down, all-acoustic Accult remains one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard. The acoustic versions of some of Colour Temple's best tracks sound completely new and refreshing, and the cover songs show the band's appreciation for other musical styles. Highlights include their moving version of Marillion's Keyliegh, which is emotional enough to give the listener chills, and a cover of Ray Charles's Georgia on My Mind. Hearing a German progressive metal band cover that song is quite surreal, but made perfect sense on Accult. Their version of Saigon Kick's Spanish Rain is another unique choice, and one that probably outshines the original version.

I really can't say enough good things about this album. Vanden Plas may have made a name for themselves with their heavier albums, but this remains my favorite VP work so far.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like heavy-progressive rock, this band is for you, July 16, 2000

By 

Regis L Chapman (Belmont, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accult (Audio CD)

This German band is one of the best bands I have heard in a long, long time. Often, they are compared with Dream Theater, but I think they may even be better. It's very hard to make a judgement like that, but I really like their musical sensibility and their literary knowledge that comes through in their songwriting. I read first of them in the 'zine "Sea of Tranquility", and since then, I have gotten all their albums.

They also do tributes (covers) to the classic metal bands like Dokken as bonus tracks- like on Far Off Grace with 'Kiss of Death'.

Their apparent range of influences and their musical range is impressive for a metal band. You don't often hear such a depth of musicianship in a metal band- but you do with Dream Theater, the Dregs, et al, and you do here, at every position.

On Accult, you will hear some nicer stuff, stuff that if you heard them you might not think it was a metal band doing it. I like that in a hard metal band, as it shows their love for good music, not just head-banging metal, although that is not lacking from this band.

On Accult, you see that playing acoustic music takes a lighter touch musically and an understanding of what makes an impact in that realm different from the full on attack you get when playing amplified. These guys know how to do that, and that is another feather in their cap.

Far Off Grace is a great album, but not even their best, for me this album is great for the range it shows. Whoever miked the piano, did a great job, BTW. It's a shame that most places only have the Far Off Grace album. Kudos for Amazon that you got this one finally.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most amazing Acoustic album Ive ever Heard!, September 23, 2000

By 

"[e-mail]" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Accult (Audio CD)

Accult Released in 96 Is quite a departure from there first release, and quite a daring and bold second step. In the fact this album is acoustic. It takes balls to make your second release (the release in the music business that seems to make and break many bands) a acoustic effort, and Vanden Plas' ball are quite large. This album rocks, they are able to take brilliant songs such as Father, My Crying and How Many Tears, and turn them into amazing acoustic versions. As well as masterfully cover other killer songs, such as Marillions-Kayleigh, and Saigon Kicks-Spanish Rain. This album although a obvious departure from there previous release is top notch all the way. Rating:9.0 Fav Songs: Father, Kayleigh, Spanish Rain.