BEYOND DAYLIGHT

Let there be no doubters, the ascension is complete: VANDEN PLAS forcefully seals their position among the absolute elite of pomped, melodic prog-metal with their new "Beyond Daylight." It has the melodic rush of early DREAM THEATER singles. It shows a mature command of mood and drama that makes it every bit as compelling as the best work from DT or SHADOW GALLERY. It is superb in every respect. Indeed, VANDEN PLAS may well be the genre's finest combination of melody, metal, and accessible pomp/prog creativity.

Equally gifted at rich, spacious balladry and adrenalized metal, VANDEN PLAS effortlessly interweaves a broad spectrum of energies on "Beyond Daylight." Without resorting to gratuitous excess in any dimension, their songs consistently resonate with both emotional depth and musical sophistication, moving both mind and soul. Memorable highlights include the ominous "Scarlet Flower Fields," the sweeping drama of "Healing Tree" and "Can You Hear Me," the soaring metallic intensity of "End Of All Days," the hard-charging "Free The Fire," the lengthy, multi-textured title track, and pretty much every other cut on the disc.

Overall, "Beyond Daylight" is beyond brilliant. For fans of melodic beauty in prog-metal, it is a hugely gripping success.