FAR OFF GRACE

It's always good to listen to Vanden Plas for one simple reason; they always try to focus their sound on making good songs, not just based on complexity and endless musical sections that involve to the musicians and their instruments every time, almost without breathing (I'm not against the virtuosity and complexity in music, in fact I enjoy it, but many bands forget the essence of making good music, with more technique than feeling in many cases).

For that reason it's very pleasing to hear an album like this, because Far Off Grace not only is the third effort from this great Progressive Metal act from Germany, but also is the product of a mix between their heavier side and melodies that suggest charming music landscapes along the recording.

The album is strongly influenced by Dream Theater's early years (specially by Awake album), Far Off Grace possesses quality, good tracks and catchy rhythms. Musically, I liked the melodic and soft moments on songs like Far off grace (great keyboard work), I don't miss you, the instrumental dynamics on Into the sun, Iodic rain and the use of zither to create an middle-east atmosphere on Fields of hope (it sounds pretty good).

Ironically, they weren't too far to get their own sound, a sound that would shine with total splendor and personality on the adaptation of certain book from the French writer...

...Alexandre Dumas?, but that's another review!.

By: Epsilon.