The God Thing [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Vanden Plas

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: March 16, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, Special Edition
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B0001B7TV6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,467 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Special edition reissue of the German progressive metal band's 1997 album features 11 tracks including two bonus tracks, 'Combien De Larmes' ('How Many Tears' French Version) & 'You Fly' (Live). Slipcase. Inside Out. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Justin Gaines "Corporate Rocker" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

After the enjoyable acoustic excursion that was the Accult album, Vanden Plas returned in 1997 with The God Thing, the first "real" follow-up to their 1994 debut Colour Temple. The "Dream Theater meets Dokken" melodic progressive metal style the band displayed on that album is back in force on The God Thing.

The God Thing was my first Vanden Plas album. I paid an exorbitantly high price for a used copy when I was in my "anything that sounds like Dream Theater" phase. Unlike a lot of the bands I tried (and later abandoned) during that time, Vanden Plas remains a favorite today. It's evident on The God Thing that Vanden Plas isn't just another prog metal band. For one thing, these guys wrote actual songs, not just solos, and while the songs average about 7 minutes each, they never feel like exercises in self-indulgent instrumental wankery. This may be a result of vocalist Andy Kuntz's heavy involvement in the songwriting process.

Beyond the band's impressive technical skills and Kuntz's distinct vocals, there is an abundance of great melodies. The songs pull you in and really stick in your head. I tend to skip past the obligatory instrumental introductory track, but after a few seconds of Fire Blossom I was hooked, and it just carried me into Rainmaker. The whole album is strong, but its shining moment is the stirring, emotional Crown of Thorns, which to this day remains my absolute favorite Vanden Plas song.

The God Thing is a fantastic progressive metal album, and one of the best Vanden Plas releases overall. If you're into this kind of music, I can't imagine this album failing to please.

NOTE: The 2004 Special Edition of The God Thing comes housed in a slipcase and features two bonus tracks. The first is a French language acoustic version of How Many Tears called Combien de Larmes, and the second is a live version of You Fly. They're interesting enough additions, but probably aren't enough to make you replace your existing copy (I did, but I'm something of a dork when it comes to owning the version with the most extras). If you don't already own it, this is the version to buy.