VANDEN PLAS Forced To Cancel Shows

German progressive metallers VANDEN PLAS have been forced to
cancel their previously announced shows in Wolverhampton, U.K. (May 5 at Z Rock) and Siena, Italy (May 12) so that guitarist Stephan Lill could undergo surgery.

Commented the band in a statement: "Hard to find some words for this worst scenario! Unfortunately, we have to tell you that Stephan Lill needs to go to the hospital for an operation which is inevitable; there is nothing to change! We've tried to find immediately a solution — so
we did ask a few well-known guitar players, but none of our
representatives felt comfortable to replace Stephan for the shows and the clinic. So we have to cancel the shows. I hope in case of our
reputation that we will play Siena and find also a chance to see our
fans in the United Kingdom as soon as possible. We feel guilty while
telling you this, but there is no way around it. Again we lowly realize
that health is our strongest and most important property! We don’t know
how to apologize our dear friends."

VANDEN PLAS is:

Andy Kuntz (Vocals)
Stephan Lill (Guitar)
Günter Werno (Keyboards)
Torsten Reichert (Bass)
Andreas Lill (Drums)

VANDEN PLAS' Mathias Fickert-directed video for the song "Holes In The Sky" can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest concept album, "The Seraphic Clockwork", which was released on June 22, 2010 in the U.S. via Frontiers Records.

Vanden Plas To Release A New Concept Album

German progressive metallers VANDEN PLAS will release their new concept album, "The Seraphic Clockwork", on June 4 in Europe and June 22 in the U.S. via Frontiers Records.

Highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, "The Seraphic Clockwork" is a fascinating concept album, which not only shows the quintet's exceptional technical skills, but also highlights their impressive development as songwriters. The new album sounds more multi-layered, progressive and metal-oriented than any previous VANDEN PLAS release. "I think that my penchant for music of the tougher persuasion shines through more than ever before on this album," comments guitarist Stephan Lill, who — along with keyboardist Günter Werno and vocalist Andy Kuntz — makes up the group's creative triumvirate. He adds: "Hard riffs, elaborate keyboard and orchestral arrangements plus catchy hooklines come together in a perfect symbiosis which marks VANDEN PLAS' own style. I feel that we were much more adventurous on with 'The Seraphic Clockwork' than ever before."

A perfect example which substantiates this statement, is the 13-minute track "On My Way To Jerusalem", a little masterpiece within a homogeneous, self-contained album. The song takes the listener on a haunting, adventurous journey which comes full circle musically towards its end. From soaring piano sounds through hard riffs and versatile arrangements to atmospheric parts, the whole range of expressive forms which the progressive metal genre has to offer are present. On the other hand, "Heal The World" with its melodic intro, subsequent heavy riff and catchy chorus, reveals the band's affinity to theatre music and all its complexity, and is classic VANDEN PLAS.

The band's fascination with classical history has left its mark on "The Seraphic Clockwork", particularly in terms of lyrics: the dramatic science fiction story of the concept album was penned by vocalist Andy Kuntz and chronicles a journey in place and time from 16th century Rome to Jerusalem in the year 33 A.D. The protagonist, after an apocalyptic vision, has come under the spell of an Old Testament prophecy and must travel back through the centuries to face his God-given destiny. "It's about being unable to escape fate," explains Kuntz, a master at making complex subject matter both fascinating and accessible to contemporary audiences. "Working for the theatre has definitely influenced the story's depth. When you realize or reproduce your own projects on a stage, you learn a lot about dramaturgy."

"The Seraphic Clockwork" was exclusively presented to the journalists in a press showcase held in Koln, Germany on April 9.

"The Seraphic Clockwork" track listing:

01. Frequency
02. Holes In The Sky
03. Scar of an Angel
04. Sound of Blood
05. The Final Murder
06. Quicksilver
07. Rush of Silence
08. On My Way to Jerusalem

Source: Rocknroll Cola

PRIMAL FEAR, VANDEN PLAS To Co-Headline PROGPOWER USA Showcase

German power metal giants PRIMAL FEAR return to Atlanta to co-headline this year's ProgPower USA showcase on September 10. Progressive metal
stalwarts VANDEN PLAS will co-headline the evening with an exclusive U.S.
performance. Support will be provided by New Jersey's SUSPYRE and
California's FUTURE'S END (featuring SADUS/ex-TESTAMENT bassist Steve DiGiorgio).

The 10th anniversary of the ProgPower USA festival features the following acts:

FATES WARNING
ANDRÉ MATOS
BRAINSTORM
ROYAL HUNT
PAGAN’S MIND
ORPHANED LAND
SABATON
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA
TOMORROW'S EVE
POWER QUEST

The annual "Mid-Week Mayhem" on Wednesday, September 9 will feature an
exclusive acoustic show from PAGAN MAXIMUS (featuring members of both PAGAN'S MIND and CIRCUS MAXIMUS), QUEENSRŸCHE tribute band MINDCRIME (with vocalist Chris Salinas of ZERO HOUR, Shane DuBose and Eric Halpern of KRUCIBLE) performing the classic "Operation: Mindcrime" in its entirety. Live QUEENSRŸCHE karaoke will follow.

Tickets for the main event go on sale March 7 via all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets for the showcase will go on sale June 1.

ProgPower USA began in 2001. The first festival was held in Lansing, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, at J.J. Kelley's. The subsequent events have been held in Atlanta, Georgia, at Earthlink Live (formerly and again Center Stage Atlanta). The festival has a wide reputation for high quality and a laid-back atmosphere. Band members frequently socialize with fans, and numerous artists have been known to attend even when not playing, including D.C. Cooper, Matt Smith of THEOCRACY, Jon Oliva of SAVATAGE fame, Lance King, members of EVERGREY, Dustin Mitchell and Curtis Morrell of KATAGORY V, Nick Van Dyke of REDEMPTION, and Urban Breed (BLOODBOUND, ex-TAD MOROSE).

ProgPower USA continues to reach new fans and artists, because it is a great opportunity for both bands and fans. Many European bands have made their first (or only) North American appearances at the festival. Many fans who cannot (or do not) travel to see those bands in Europe have a unique opportunity to see them closer to home at ProgPower.