Far Off Grace (Spec) [Enhanced, Extra tracks, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered, Special Edition]

Vanden Plas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered, Special Edition
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B0001B7TVG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #379,853 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Can See

2. Far Off Grace

3. Into The Sun

4. Where Is The Man

5. Iodic Rain

6. I Dont Miss You

7. Inside Of Your Head

8. Fields Of Hope

9. Im In You

10. Kiss Of Death

11. Shape Of My Heart

12. Iodic Rain (Live Video)

Editorial Reviews

Vanden Plas are Germany's leaders in the progressive metal genre. After having achieved substantial recognition with the release of their second album "The God Thing", and a successful European tour supporting Dream Theater, they returned 1999 to the forefront of the progressive metal scene with there album "Far Off Grace". After the release of the first Vanden Plas album "Colour Temple" as a special edition, are now following the second and third CD with special packaging, remastered and with bonus material.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Special Edition, March 28, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: Far Off Grace (Spec) (Audio CD)

1999's Far Off Grace is album #4 from German melodic progressive metal band Vanden Plas. The band, whose sound is perhaps best described as Dream Theater meets Dokken, didn't offer up any real surprises on this album. The songs on Far Off Grace could just as easily have fit on Colour Temple or The God Thing. Despite their progressive sound, the band really doesn't progress very much from one album to the next.

That aside, Far Off Grace is still a very impressive album. Vanden Plas has totally mastered the marriage of technical metal, lush melodies, and stirring, emotional vocals. I've read some reviews bashing him, but as far as I'm concerned Andy Kuntz's vocals are a huge part of what makes Vanden Plas's sound work so well. His songwriting skills are also first rate. Into the Sun and Fields of Hope are among the album's better tracks, and I don't think I've heard anything as equally lovely and malevolent as the ballad I Don't Miss You.

If you can overlook the "more of the same" aspect, Far Off Grace is a great progressive metal album. It may not break any new ground, but Vanden Plas is one of the best at this kind of music, and they never fail to deliver.

NOTE: The 2004 Special Edition of Far Off Grace comes housed in a slipcase and features two bonus tracks. The first is a cover of the Dokken hit Kiss of Death, which the band totally nails. It was included on the earlier CD release though, so I don't see how it counts as a "bonus track" here. There's also a cover of Sting's Shape of My Heart. I loathe Sting, but I have to admit this song sounds great in Vanden Plas's hands. There's also a live video of the song Iodic Rain.

If you don't already own Far Off Grace, this is the version to buy. If you do, you'll have to decide whether it's worth it to buy the album twice for essentially one new song. I did, but I'm something of a dork when it comes to owning the version with the most extras.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Vanden Plas album, June 26, 2005

By 

T. Zeppa (Alexandria,VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Far Off Grace (Spec) (Audio CD)

For those who do not know, Vanden Plas is a German progressive metal band, and a damn good one.

The album features a nice tight guitar sound from Stephan Lill. Andreas Lill adds some damn fine drumming. Of course the vocals are top notch as expected from Andy Kuntz.

This album is not as melodic as "Beyond Daylight" or "The God Thing", it has a more aggressive sound which I like.

When I first got this album, it didnt leave my player for like 3 weeks, and to this day I still spin this CD on a regular basis.

If you like heavy prog metal, this album is a must have.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new era for hard rock / progressive Metal, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Far Off Grace (Audio CD)

What do you get, when you take old Queensryche, a taste of Dream Theater, and a hint of Dokken? You get Vanden Plas, and their newest CD "Far off grace" takes you on a musical ride, you wont want to get off. Soaring high melodic vocals, catchy melodies, and bone crunching guitars mixed in with amazing keyboards, has you wondering why bands like this arent more popular. Fans of Dream Theater may want to take note from this band from Germany. Vanden Plas, has been around since the late 80's, and Far off grace, is their 4th CD from this 5 piece band. Highly recommended!