VANDEN PLAS – Chronicles Of The Immortals, Netherworld Path Two (2015)

Last year Germans VANDEN PLAS released the first part of a new concept album, now on November 6th the band will present the second chapter entitled “Chronicles Of The Immortals – Netherworld path II“, again through Frontiers Music.
Frontiers Music have been expanding their roster (mostly integrated by melodic hard rock bands) with products like Vanden Plas, always associated with heavy sounds.
However, since the previous ‘path I’ and this “Chronicles Of The Immortals – Netherworld path II”, shows a bit of a different side of Vanden Plas, a more introspective one that de-emphasizes both progressive technicality and also heaviness in favour to more melodious lines.

That being said, Vanden Plas have not gone soft or bland, but they are offering here a more accessible, melodic and intriguing Melodic Prog Metal album.
Suffice it to say that this release is the second half of the band’s collaboration with successful homeland author Wolfgang Hohlbein, based on his vampire series Die Chronik der Unsterblichen (The Chronicle of the Immortals).
And that if you heard and liked the band’s previous part of the saga, you’ll like this. If you are new to Vanden Plas and the previous album, let’s explore a bit.

“Netherworld II” melds nicely with ‘path 1p, coming across as a seamless work, although I would perhaps describe II as slightly darker than path 1. Most of the accolades and descriptors of ‘path 1’ apply here as well. There are elements carried over from the expected melodic sensibilities to varying degrees of heaviness and lightness as well.
Vanden Plas is not going to overwhelm with overly complex music, speed, or brutality – they are clearly a progressive outfit with a metal touch thrown in now and then.
Once again the consistency of Vanden Plas shines through via their strong songcraft. Clearly the stable lineup has led to great results.

The complementing 9 tracks range from expertly executed melodic prog metal to more subdued ballads to big atmospheric passages. Again, the album should be considered as a whole (alongside path 1), but there are some outstanding tracks that really grab me.
‘Stone Roses Edge’, third track here, jumps out as a wonderfully compelling song – and my favorite – with an excellent riff and couple of tremendous solo sections. It’s one of the less ‘orchestral’ songs on the album.

‘The Last Fight’ is another of the pretty heavy tunes, though sporting a flowing, soaring chorus. I’m digging the odd time signature use in this one too. Album opener ‘In My Universe’ doesn’t really mess around either – sure, there are some subdued parts (the verses in particular), but the bridge and chorus rock hard.
The nearly 14 minute long ‘Blood of Eden’ (divided in 3 parts; ‘All love must Die’ / ‘The Rite’ / ‘This is the Night’) is the obvious centerpiece of “Netherworld II”.

A delicate piano intro sets the stage leading to a song that takes its time to build. The very complete vocalist Andy Kuntz is at his best here. Vanden Plas gets to the meaty metal parts about four minutes in, but only for a minute before transitioning to a heavier sound and a good dose of complexity paired with some lighter passages. The band then returns to the piano motif for the final couple of minutes of the song. Truly a great and epic song.
To make it seem even more than it is, the two songs following, ‘Monster’ and ‘Diabolica Comedia’, feel like a continuation resulting in a single work pushing 30 minutes.

“Chronicles Of The Immortals – Netherworld path II” is a fine companion to Path 1, neither worse nor better: it’s the second part of a whole piece of art. And if you like elaborated (technical at places) prog metal with abundance of melody, this is for you.
‘Netherworld path II’ feels like the logical continuation of the concept album, culminating this Vanden Plas theatrical / melodic prog metal project. You have very solid songwriting, some awesome performances (clinical playing) and the necessary pristine production for this type of material.
Ultimately, another very good album from Vanden Plas, a band that has maintained a single lineup for almost three decades, and you can tell that listening their tightness.
Strongly Recommended.

01 – VISION 11even * In My Universe
02 – VISION 12elve * Godmaker’S Temptation
03 – VISION 13teen * Stone Roses Edge
04 – VISION 14teen * Blood Of Eden
05 – VISION 15teen * Monster
06 – VISION 16teen * Diabolica Comedia
07 – VISION 17teen * Where Have The Children Gone
08 – VISION 18teen * The Last Fight
09 – VISION 19teen * Circle Of The Devil

Andy Kuntz (Vocals)
Stephan Lill (Guitar)
Günter Werno (Keyboards)
Torsten Reichert (Bass)
Andreas Lill (Drums)

PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.de/Chronicles-Immortals-Netherworld-Path-2/dp/B014I062Q8/
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