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Vanden Plas - Spirit Of Live

Vanden Plas - Spirit Of Live
Released: 2000
Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music
Cat. No.: IOMCD068 / IOMACD 2018
Total Time: US: 72:07 / EUR: 71:34

Reviewed by: Bjørnar Bevolden, November 2002
Although Vanden Plas has developed a wide live experience over the last years and with a number of bootlegs floating around, this is their first official live album. There is no doubt that the band has a special connection with the French fans and as a result this album is recorded in Paris, France.

First, the album is chock full of quality Vanden Plas songs, mostly taken from their latest release, Far Off Grace, but I am also very happy to see songs as "Soul Survives" from the glorious debut album being presented on this CD. Fantastic songs follow like a string of pearls, one song better than the other. The rhythm section is extremely tight and they all deliver a blistering performance, including vocalist Andy Kuntz. Also, solid appearances/performances by Don Dokken and Patrick Rondat are to be noted. The production by the band themselves is fantastic. Some might find it a bit too polished, but it is at times extremely good to hear live shows which ooze this kind of power, heaviness, clarity and emotion.

There is nothing left to do than to take one's hat off to this marvelous band of musicians. This album is a must for all prog metal fans and marks the position of Vanden Plas as one of the best prog metal bands in history. Essential!

PPO Rating: 10/10

[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Bobo's, LarryD's and Steph's reviews -ed.]

More about Spirit Of Live:

Track Listing: (US version) I Can See (4:26) / Into The Sun (7:05) / Soul Survives (9:52) / How Many Tears (10:37) / Journey To Paris (3:08) / Spirit Of Life (4:28) / Iodic Rain (6:01) / You Fly (9:22) / Far Off Grace (9:50) / Rainmaker (8:38)

(EUR version) I Can See (4:26) / Into The Sun (7:05) / Soul Survives (9:52) / How Many Tears (10:37) / Don't Miss You (3:50) / Journey To Paris (3:08) / Spirit Of Life (4:28) / Iodic Rain (6:11) / Far Off Grace (9:51) / Kiss Of Death (5:28) / Rainmaker (8:38)

Musicians:
Andy Kuntz - vocals
Stephan Lill - guitars
Torsten Reichert - bass
G¨nter Werno - keyboards
Andres Lill – drums

Guests:

Patrick Rondat – lead guitar ("Rainmaker")
Don Dokken – vocals ("Kiss Of Death")

Contact:

Website: www.vandenplas.de
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

Colour Temple (1994)
Accult (1996)
The God Thing (1997)
Far Off Grace (1999)
Spirit Of Live (2000)
Beyond Daylight (2002)
Colour Temple/AcCult (special edition) (2002)
Christ.0 (2006)

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	Vanden Plas - Spirit Of Live
	Released: 2000 Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music Cat. No.: IOMCD068 / IOMACD 2018 Total Time: US: 72:07 / EUR: 71:34
	Reviewed by: Bjørnar Bevolden, November 2002 Although Vanden Plas has developed a wide live experience over the last years and with a number of bootlegs floating around, this is their first official live album. There is no doubt that the band has a special connection with the French fans and as a result this album is recorded in Paris, France. First, the album is chock full of quality Vanden Plas songs, mostly taken from their latest release, Far Off Grace, but I am also very happy to see songs as "Soul Survives" from the glorious debut album being presented on this CD. Fantastic songs follow like a string of pearls, one song better than the other. The rhythm section is extremely tight and they all deliver a blistering performance, including vocalist Andy Kuntz. Also, solid appearances/performances by Don Dokken and Patrick Rondat are to be noted. The production by the band themselves is fantastic. Some might find it a bit too polished, but it is at times extremely good to hear live shows which ooze this kind of power, heaviness, clarity and emotion. There is nothing left to do than to take one's hat off to this marvelous band of musicians. This album is a must for all prog metal fans and marks the position of Vanden Plas as one of the best prog metal bands in history. Essential! PPO Rating: 10/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Bobo's, LarryD's and Steph's reviews -ed.] More about Spirit Of Live: Track Listing: (US version) I Can See (4:26) / Into The Sun (7:05) / Soul Survives (9:52) / How Many Tears (10:37) / Journey To Paris (3:08) / Spirit Of Life (4:28) / Iodic Rain (6:01) / You Fly (9:22) / Far Off Grace (9:50) / Rainmaker (8:38) (EUR version) I Can See (4:26) / Into The Sun (7:05) / Soul Survives (9:52) / How Many Tears (10:37) / Don't Miss You (3:50) / Journey To Paris (3:08) / Spirit Of Life (4:28) / Iodic Rain (6:11) / Far Off Grace (9:51) / Kiss Of Death (5:28) / Rainmaker (8:38) Musicians: Andy Kuntz - vocals Stephan Lill - guitars Torsten Reichert - bass G¨nter Werno - keyboards Andres Lill – drums Guests: Patrick Rondat – lead guitar ("Rainmaker") Don Dokken – vocals ("Kiss Of Death") Contact: Website: www.vandenplas.de Note: will open new browser window Discography Colour Temple (1994) Accult (1996) The God Thing (1997) Far Off Grace (1999) Spirit Of Live (2000) Beyond Daylight (2002) Colour Temple/AcCult (special edition) (2002) Christ.0 (2006)
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