Vanden Plas' singer Andy Kuntz has made his first solo album 'Abydos - the little boy's heavy mental shadow opera about the inhabitants of his diary'. I've always liked Vanden Plas, so my expectations were high regarding this album... Fortunately Andy lived up to those expectations. This 70-minute-long symphonic progmetal epic is worth your attention...

Songs, how could I describe them... well, they're quite diverse progressive metal compositions ranging from symphonic metal to piano based ballads. Once Andy Kuntz succeeded in convincing me that I was listening to Angra (on the fourth track, Far Away From Heaven, he sang the word 'religion' just like André Matos). Also some Dream Theater influences could be heard on this album (among many others). On Abydos the plethora of influences is a good thing... it's Abydos' strength, as all the influences are used in creative manner instead of reiterating.

Production on this album is very good... There are some minor flaws (which are quite inaudible details). Mastering has been done professionally as well as mixing... There aren't any grave errors. Well, I must admit I didn't like the effect that was used on some of the vocals on track 6 (Hyperion Sunset).

I believe Vanden Plas fans are likely to regard this album as magnificent... There are so many great songs on this album (none of the songs could be labelled as 'fill'). I recommend this album to the fans of progressive/symphonic/power metal. Especially the fans of Kamelot, Superior, Labÿrinth and Vanden Plas (of course) will probably find this album good.

Release date: 30.08.2004


- MAGE (10.08.2004)

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LINE-UP:
Kuntz, Andy: Vocals Glass, Stefan: Guitars, Keyboards Krauss, Michael: Guitars, Keyboards Lill, Andreas: Drums
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	01. The Inhabitants of his Diary 02. You Broke the Sun 03. Silence 04. Far Away From Heaven 05. Coppermoon (the Other Side) 06. Hyperion Sunset 07. God's Driftwood 08. Radio Earth 09. Abydos 10. Green's Guidance For a Strategy Adventure Game 11. Wildflowersky 12. A Boy Named Fly