Far Off Grace [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS] [LIMITED EDITION] [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: Enhanced, Extra tracks, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered, Special Edition
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B0001B7TVG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,713 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Special edition reissue of the German progressive metal band's 1999 album features 12 tracks including three bonus tracks, 'Kiss Of Death', 'Shape Of My Heart', & 'Iodic Rain' (Live Video). Slipcase. Inside Out. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 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)

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.

3 of 3 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)

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly addictive prog/power metal, June 10, 2008

By	monsieurb54 - See all my reviews

This is the first Vanden Plas album I've listened to and I've really enjoyed it. While not being anything especially groundbreaking or mindblowing, this band excels in blending beautiful melodies, catchy choruses, and some progressive sensibilities in the mix. The album is pretty straightforward and isn't terribly complex, but it's hard to find a bad track on this work. The opening one-two punch of 'I Can See' and the title track 'Far Off Grace' feature addictive riffs and adrenaline-pumping choruses. The rest of the album is nearly just as solid, with the beautiful ballad 'I Don't Miss You' and many other tracks. All in all, a solid effort. This definitely won't be the last Vanden Plas album that I get.

Best Tracks: Far Off Grace, I Can See, Inside of Your Head, I Don't Miss You