Customer Reviews

Christ O

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Four years have passed since Vanden Plas' amazing album Beyond Daylight, by many considered their creative peak and most consistent release. The band have taken their time to write their new concept album Christ O (Christ-less), basing it on the story of The Count of Monte Cristo. Yet again, it seems this may be Vanden Plas' best effort, as they continue to outdo themselves with each successive release, surprising their entire fanbase.

Christ 0 not only combines the band's traditional progressive metal leanings with the more theatrical work heard on Andy Kuntz' solo project Abydos, it also involves a 40-piece classic choir and a cleverly arranged full orchestra that contribute to the album's diversity. The result is nothing short of stunning. The production is mammoth, and the songwriting vivid. Beginning with great soprano vocals and a very symphonic arrangement, the title track features every single Vanden Plas characteristic they've trademarked over the years: hard-hitting guitars, slick arrangements, wonderful melodies, powerful drum and bass rhythms, and excellent keyboard work. The band's writing team again consists of guitarist Stefan Lill, vocalist Andy Kuntz, and keyboardist Gunter Werno, but as with all of their albums, there's room for every member, especially the band's unmistakable rhythm duo. As a matter of fact, Andreas Lill's drum sound may be the most prominent on any of the releases yet, while Torsten Reichert's bass mostly serves to fatten the guitars. That said, track five, "Shadow I Am", puts the focus on his growling bass lines, underneath Kuntz' infectious chorus and Werno's unconventional synth patch.

"Postcard to God" is arguably the heaviest song on the album, at times evoking Dream Theater circa Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (which is a great thing!) in the way that Reichert and Lill feed the piece with thundering syncopation that follows ethereal keyboard and piano melodies, stop-start guitar riffage, and excellent vocal harmonies before the female choir wraps things up. "Wish You Were Here" has a moody start that slowly develops into a passage with deeply snarling bass guitar, shifting tempos, and tasty backing vocals. The track embarks on a killer interplay between shredding lead guitars and analog synths, as the song slowly segues into the album's most powerful piece: "Silently". Slow piano notes, subtle keyboard effects, stomping drums all unite in order to create an almost dreamy, perhaps cinematic number. The chorus of the song is terrific, with Kuntz just singing over solo piano in the first part, and then a thickened string arrangement towards the end. The song runs through several movements, each equally riveting. Stefan Lill's guitar solo may be his most melodic on the album, whilst Kuntz lets out several high screams that would give the best guys a run for their money. Andreas' drums march amidst seas of symphonic textures, as Gunter Werno lays down a synth solo that may be the best I've heard from him ever, and the song concludes with a very unexpected acoustic guitar coda that is simply beautiful. "Silently" is the definitive Christ 0 track, as it envelops everything Vanden Plas stands for.

"Somewhere Alone in the Dark" feels like a leftover from the band's The God Thing sessions, perhaps because it was incomplete at the time of its recording. Very Dream Theater-inspired in some places, the track features a nice chorus, and heavy, thrash metal-like breaks. On the other hand, songs like "Fireroses Dance" and "Lost in Silence" document Kuntz' amazing vocal abilities, dripping with emotion and melody. The Middle Eastern touch on the former and Kuntz' harmonies on the latter are both sublime. "January Tree", the longest track, is the most orchestral piece, with beautifully composed theatrical moments that evoke Abydos and dark spoken vocals that had me think of the last song on Evergrey's The Inner Circle. However, it is Werno's piano and synth playing where he boldly extracts a million colours and shadings out of his instrument that qualifies "January Sun" as another standout on the album. "Gethsemane" is a great bonus track with no relation to the concept of the album. It is a successful interpretation from the Jesus Christ Superstar musical, dealing with schizophrenia in a very Vanden Plas meets Abydos way. A dark yet fitting finale for Christ Zero.

Sound engineer Markus Teske (Saga, Spock's Beard) has done an amazing job on the mix and the artwork is terrific. I don't have a single bad thing to say about this album and it has already become my early contender for melodic prog metal album of the year.

It's been four years since Vanden Plas released "Beyond Daylight" and for many fans of the Progressive Metal the new album would be a welcome return of a very excellent and powerful band. As I listened to the album, I wondered how this group escaped my notice before as they offer a lot of what fans of Melodic and Progressive Metal are looking for. The band takes a strong queue from Dream Theater as far as the ability to craft both powerful melody and metallic technique together, but their music doesn't take you into wild technical displays and that keeps them unique from Portnoy and company. The album takes you on a journey into a tale that is based on the Alexander Dumas "Count Of Monte Cristo" tale; however this story is a little bit darker and does not find the Count the hero that the classic tale does. As a matter of fact he is a villain and while still a character to be pitied he is getting that which is rightly served for such action. The album displays an excellent array of Progressive Metal riffs and melodies that bring you right into the recording and lead singer Andy Kuntz is simply amazing across the whole thing. The main reason for the absence in Vanden Plas recordings was due to the singer working in theatre and his side-project Abydos. The theatre experience clearly shows in the album as far as the dramatic peaks and valleys it explores as Kuntz delivers passionate vocals in every song. Crunching Metal fans need not fear that the stage experience has softened his delivery of the bands music and can confirm this on songs like "Somewhere Alone In The Dark" and "Silently". The band also explores some levels of mood and atmosphere, as a dark and foreboding storyline will definitely put you in that place. A great example of this can be found in "Lost In Silence" and their inclusion offers the chance for a wider variety of listener to now enjoy the band. The closer of the album came as a complete and yet wonderful surprise as the band delivers the song "Gethsemane" (I Only Want To Say); the song which was originally sung by Ian Gillan in the Broadway play "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a powerful tune and delivered to excellence. This is only available on the special edition of the CD if I am not mistaken.

Above all this is an excellent piece of music and even though I was new to the band I found myself listening to the entire piece a good four times before I even began coming up with thoughts on it. It is musically powerfully and lyrically sound and should prove to satisfy the most finicky of Progressive Metal fans. It is recommended for those who enjoy Dream Theater, Symphony X and others who fall into this dynamic style.

This CD was recommended to me by the guy who sells merchandise for another prog band, Symphony X. He compared Vanden Plas to Dream Theater when I asked what they sounded like, so I was skeptical, since DT is not my cup of prog tea. I like prog harder and more aggressive than DT. But I found that my sons already owned Christ 0 so I tried it out. Whoa. Rarely do I find a CD I want to listen to over and over, that I find myself reaching for when the others have been played way too much and I'm tired of them. I keep going to Christ 0 (after Symphony X, that is) for replays. I know zero about technical aspects of music, and I am a prog snob, so I haven't ventured beyond what has been recommended to me very much. This is GREAT. "Gethsemane" was a pleasant surprise for a metal band to do, but my favorite by far is "Wish You Where Here" (I assume a typo on the CD, but that's how they spell it). It's different than anything I've ever heard and it's awesome. I just listen; I don't analyze. If you just listen, get Christ 0.

No need to write much more than "It's a progressive/power metal masterpiece!" Get it! It doesn't come much better...

The first and only disc I've heard by Vanden Plas was "Beyond Daylight", which is good, but this disc takes it up a notch. The songwriting, musicianship, and vocals have matured and it's noticeable. For the most part, the music is progressive metal... crunchy guitar work with lots of shredding solos, energetic drumming, tasty keyboards and bass, and vibrant vocals. But when they back off the shredding, the calm moments, or ballads like "Lost In Silence" pack a punch and are just as impressive. This is an interesting concept album filled with great tunes, outstanding production, and would be a fine addition to any prog-metal collection.

Having been a fan of Dream Theater since 1992, I was looking at expanding my music experience, boy did I ever!
This is the first CD I own by Vanden Plas, but I will buy more.
If you are a fan of progressive (Intelligent) metal (or Dream Theater) definitely buy this CD, you will not regret it!

Simply put, this is one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. I put it in the same class as Images and Words, Enigmatic: Calling (Pagan's Mind), and The 1st Chapter (Circus Maximus). Morose, powerful, dramatic, melodic, beautiful, emotional, and just plain good. The highlight piece of the album is undoubtedly "January Sun," a 10 minute epic pulled off with unrivalled class. Overall, one of the best albums in my (or any) collection, and a must-have for any progressive metal fan.

I bought this cd because I was looking for concept albums after getting into the genre through Coheed & Cambria. Although this album is nothing like that band, like CoCa, Vanden Plas has some incredible keyboard and guitar riffs straight from heaven! Don't miss "Silently", easily one of the most complex songs I have ever heard in this genre. The lyrics are incredibly intelligent, based (sorta) on the story of the Count of Monte Christo. This cd hasn't left my cd player for a full year, it has only been outlasted by Beyond the Veil from Tristania (different genre, but just as intelligent.) My favorite song on this cd is easily "Fireroses Dance", it has everything from a slower, epic beginning to angry choruses. If you are looking for a cd with meaning and killer composition, don't pass this up!

In my opinion, Vanden Plas has broken out with this amazing album. The Vocal work is simply astonishing, the richly woven harmonies, and Andy Kuntzs intense delivery never ceases to amaze me.

While I have always enjoyed Vanden Plas, some of there work left me with little of that feeling where it wouldn't stop playing inside your head after you shut off your sound system. Christ 0 does just the opposite. It never stops playing in my head. Been in my rotation for over a year now, and I never stop craving certain parts of it.

The playing is simply a complete virtuoso performance by the whole band. You can tell that each piece that highlights bass, drums, keys or guitar, was done on purpose as part of the overall tapestry that is this album. No shredding for noises sake, it all fits together perfectly. You can tell these guys have been playing together for a long time.

Christ 0 cements Vanden Plas unique style into place for me at least. They have showed their influences liberally in some of their earlier works, but this album is pure them.

All I can say in conclusion, is that if you like this type of music, this is one of the most memorable releases in recent years. For those who like band comparisons, this is as amazing as Kamelot's Black Halo or Pagan's Mind Enigmatic Calling. Stupendous!!!

Oh Man!!! You don't know how happy I am to have Christ O in my collection. As one of Vanden Plas avid fans I was anticipating this new album since the last one in 2002...A month b4 its release, the cover for Christ O was up. Man you don't know how I felt when I saw the brilliant Christ O cover.. I knew by looking at the cover.. this is gonna be the finest work VP has ever put out. I was right all along..once I pop the cd in my player and spin it for couple of rounds.. I was immediatelly hooked to the theme and concept of Christ O not to mention the PROGRESSIVE METAL MUSIC that backs it up...Vanden Plas has come a long way and has impresses the world with each new release. I am confident that if VP keep their love and passion true to their music.. They will become one of the best Prog MEtal Bands in the world. They already are the Premier Prog Metal band in Germany and Europe.. I just hope that with the release of this album they will tour major cities around the globe including North America.. It is so rare to see them here but with such an incredible album. It has to be done!!!! All you fans of Melodic Metal, Progressive Rock/Metal etc... will enjoy this disc!! Do yourself a favor, if you are unknown to VP... this is your chance right here right now!!! Superb DISC!!