Metal

Abydos 2004 Abydos [VBR]

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Abydos - 2004 - Abydos [VBR]Genre: Progressive MetalCountry : GermanyWebsite: http://www.vandenplas-france.com/abydos/ ABYDOS biography (Prograchives):ABYDOS is a prog-metal project put together by VANDENPLAS's frontman and vocalist Andy Kuntz, who enlisted the same band's drummerAndreas Lill as well as Michael Krauss (guitar and keyboards) and Stefan Glass(guitar, bass and keyboards) for the occasion. They take their name from theburial site of Abydos from the legendary "Valley of the Kings".Kuntz's experience with musicals ("Jesus Chris Superstar", "TheRocky Horror Picture Show", "Evita") really comes to the surfacewith this band's eponymous album. The music has a lot in common with AYREON in that it is aconcept album (for which Kuntz wrote a full-fledged story) that mixes 70's progwith metal, symphonic and melodic passages, with tinges of PINK FLOYD and QUEENalong the way. It has a very contemporary feel and could best be described as ablend of VANDEN PLAS, JOURNEY, YES and DREAM THEATER. Like AYREON's projects,"Abydos" isn't totally devoid of clichés but the flaws are easilyforgiven, considering the impeccable production and the excellent musicianship.Indeed the whole album oozes class. Hardcore metal fans will likely dismiss this as toomoody. If you like AYREON, however, or would like to hear some VANDEN PLAS witha more symphonic and experimental edge, then do lend an ear to ABYDOS. Album review (Progarchives):Maybe the name ABYDOS doesn’t tell you a lot, but knowingthis is the newest solo project from Andy Kuntz, lead singer of the Germanprogmetal band VANDEN PLAS, should raise the expectations. It hasn’t become avery heavy album, and although it has its heavy moments, I’d rather classify itas real progressive rock. And to bring you the good news immediately, this ispure class. It’s as if Kuntz has had some brilliant ideas for years, butcouldn’t let them escape with VANDEN PLAS. And yet, I’m a real VANDEN PLAS fan,but the music which their lead singer has put on this record, is even better,if possible, and certainly contains more variation. Maybe some of you don’t know that Andy Kuntz has beenplaying an active part for years in musicals and rock operas like “Jesus ChristSuperstar’, “Rocky Horror Show”, “Evita” and “Nostradamus”. And theseinfluences have continued in his new project. Everything is a bit more melodic. The name ABYDOS was chosen for a very special reason. Itrefers to an Egyptian tomb site in the Valley of the Kings, where Osiris, Godof ethernal reincarnation, was worshipped. On the one side, ABYDOS is seen asthe origin of the theatre, but the choice of name for this project was alsoinspired by the loss of some dearly beloved by Andy in 2003. That explains whythe album is dark and melancholic from time to time, but that shouldn’t lowerthe fun. In fact, it’s telling a (autobiographic?) story by analogy withcertain rock operas, inspired by the progressive rock of the seventies, butlarded with a progmetal sauce. For this, Kuntz called upon 2 brilliantmusicians, Stephan Glass and Michael Krauss and his drummer pal from VANDENPLAS. And the latter pulls out all the stops during the opening track, a heavyinstrumental piece. The sequel “You Broke The Sun” certainly is surprisinglyquiet with a PINK FLOYD intro, but after a few minutes the tempo isaccelerating and we get a real progressive, symphonic, yes, even bombastic,passage in a style that reminds me of DREAM THEATER in their better days. It’sno coinsidence that his voice ressembles a bit Labrie’s best vocals. The choirsin the background have a ‘musical’ feeling. ‘Silence’ starts of as some progressive metal in VANDENPLAS style, but it turns out to contain a very melodic and catchy chorus. Theelectronic passage in the vain of Jean Michel JARRE is very interesting andcomes just after a heavy guitar-keyboards duel, to be followed afterwards by asplashing guitar solo. The beautiful ballad ‘Far away from heaven’ refers toAOR-bands of the seventies, but further along the track there’s some brilliantsymphonic music, the real prog fan will certainly like this track. And we aremiles away from the heavy progmetal. "Coppermoon" is a perfect hybrid between VANDENPLAS, PAIN OF SALVATION and DREAM THEATER, references which are found more thanonce. Because of the symphonic character and the variation in guitar andkeyboard solos, AYREON fans will certainly appreciate this disc. "HyperionSunset" proceeds under the same canvas. "God’s Driftwood" starts rather threatening andominous and bulges with changes in tempo in good old seventies style, a typicalLED ZEPPELIN riff with accompanying orchestral arrangements and a guitar solothat reminds me of URIAH HEEP. Hair- splitters will maybe tell you that this CDcontains a lot of clichés, but when they are brought in a professional way,who’s complaining? For that matter, I would even compare this album with"The Human Equation" from AYREON. "Radio Earth" also contains a lot ofinfluences, from electronic music from the eighties, to The WHO, QUEEN,...,beautifully woven into a musical tour de force. And not to forget, the superbpieces on the acoustic guitar. The originality of the tracks is mainly due tothe strength of the compositions. The title track "Abydos" sounds exceptionallydark and melancholic, but is again magnificent because of the orchestralarrangements in combination with the heavy proggy intermezzos and the excellentvocals. Breathtakingly beautiful. Andy’s experience with musicals is coming tothe surface. And just listen to the outro, it could be taken directly from aclassical piece. After a short piece with a computer voice and keyboards,there’s "Wildflowersky", melodic progmetal à la VANDEN PLAS withagain some musical and vocal highlights. And even if I was already convinced ofthe top quality of this album, the best song had yet to come. A beautifulclassical introduction (I’m thinking of a certain composer, but I can’tremember his name) opens “A Boy Named Fly” as a ballad, but the heavy guitarstake the helm. Surprisingly how the voice reminds me here of KEN'S NOVEL butthat’s the only similarity. Once more, everything is present in this track andthat’s what makes this album so special. Or, in a nutshell, this isn’t another project from afrustrated musician, but a genuine masterpiece from a man who has used all hisexperience to make something unique. It’s gonna be a difficult choice to pick aCD of the year 2004, this is from the same quality as KARMAKANIC and AYREON. Andit should be obvious by now, you MUST buy this one! Track listing 1. The inhabitants of his diary (1:17)2. You broke the sun (5:39)3. Silence (6:55)4. Far away from heaven (5:37)5. Coppermoon (The other side) (5:09)6. Hyperion sunset (4:46)7. God's driftwood (6:10)8. Radio Earth (5:38)9. Abydos (7:25)10. Green's guidance for a stategy adventure game (1:17)11. Wildflowersky (8:28)12. A boy named fly (12:03) Total Time: 70:24 Line-up - Andy Kuntz / vocals- Stefan Glass / guitar, bass, keyboards- Michael Krauss / guitar, keyboards- Andreas Lill / drums Releases information CD InsideOut #IOMACD 2090

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