Beyond Daylight [IMPORT]

Vanden Plas (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Inside Out
• ASIN: B00005V4O4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,183 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The German progressive metal band's 2002 and fourth studio album. Includes the limited bonus track 'Point Of Know Return' (Kansas cover).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb prog., December 12, 2002

By	Dr Nick "Dr Nick" (Sheffield, S Yorks United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

I wasn't sure what to expect from this band, my only previous encounter was with the very talented keyboardist (Gunter Werno) on DC Cooper's (fantastic) solo release. But fans of prog have been positive about this lot, so I went for it.
And they're very good. VERY good. Remind me in some ways of "Images" era Dream Theater as far as song construction and instrumental sections go. The guitarist is very good, he can shred along with the best on 'em, although he's just a bit more restrained than Mr Petrucci - this band like instrumental passages to be just that, rather than a collection of solos. The drummer is also extremely good, but more restrained than Mike Portnoy, something I appreciate (Dream Theater over-use the double bass drums IMHO).

And the vocalist. Other reviews of past releases by Vanden Plas have been critical of the vocals. I can see why, he doesn't have the most powerful voice in prog, it's quite clean (cleaner than James LaBrie), and certainly not from the "Geoff Tate" school of singers. He does use his diaphragm well in places, and also occasionally throws in a rasp that's not a million miles away from Vince Neil (Motley Crue)! He can reach the high notes, and choruses tend to be constructed of layered vocals and harmonies, which more than compensated for the slight thin-ness that higher notes produces. And no screaming.

One thing worth mentioning is the strength of the song-writing. The choruses have good, memorable hooks, and satisfy the ear in a way that quite a few other prog releases fail to, despite the skills of the band.

Basically these guys have the lot, and the production more than makes up for any star losses I might have imposed for the vocals. Dunno about pervious material, but this ROCKS!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prog tour de force, November 2, 2006

By	G. Martin (Midwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are interested in Vanden Plas, I assume you are a prog metal fan. If that is the case, you will not be dissapointed in this CD. There are definitely elements of DT when you listen to this band, but they have their own musical sensibilities as well. There is no shortage of crunching guitar licks and pyro-technics, but not at the expense of good lyrics and solid song writing. One thing not often associated with prog metals is great vocal harmonies, but you will definitely find those here as well. Andy Kuntz has a great voice, and the backing vocals are rock-solid as well. The group has been around since 1986, and unfortunately they escaped my radar screen until a few years ago. Although I do not own all of Vanden Plas' CDs, I have not heard anything from this group that I did not like. If you are prog fan you should definitely own this CD.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vanden Plas Finally Rock Out!, March 25, 2002

By	Bill Wiscott (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This release has a harder, faster feel than the previous albums, with more all out rocking, but still has fine arrangements and beautiful melodies. The best yet. It won't disappoint.