Band : Vanden Plas
Album title : The Seraphic Clockwork
Label : Frontiers Records
Distributor : Frontiers Records - Rough Trade Benelux
Release Date : 04/06/2010
Release : CD

Having reviewed rather a lot of progressive rock albums, the thought occurred to me : hey, it's quite a long time since I've seen any new work by Vanden Plas, one of my favorite bands in this genre.  What I'd forgotten about them was that they have been working on no less than 5 musicals, so time to write new songs, rehearse, let alone record them has been very sparse. And then I was given their new album to review. I started reading the info that was joined.  Turns out "The Seraphic Clockwork" is a concept album, but not based on some story or book written by somebody else. On the contrary, the whole idea comes from no other than Mr. Andy Kuntz himself.

The story is about a journeys in place and time, starting in 16th century Rome, and ending in Jerusalem in the year 33 A.D.. To sum it up in a short line : It's about being unable to escape fate.
My guess is that having worked on these musicals for theatres, has helped the group a lot to make a rather complex subject understandable and accessible for contemporary audiences. As has always been the case with Vanden Plas, the music is complex and diverse, without falling in the classical foot traps. There are hints of classical music hidden in the songs, yet they are what they ought to be, pure progressive metal songs.

A very good album.  Just check out the almost 13 minutes long "On My Way To Jerusalem".

97/100

Erik Morren.