Review VANDEN PLAS “AcCult II”

Progressive metal veterans Vanden Plas made their debut in 1994 with the album “Colour Temple” followed by the acoustic EP “AcCult” which included acoustic covers of other artists’ songs, plus some rearranged tunes from the debut album. Thirty years later, the German metal group has revived the spirit of the ’90s with the release of “AcCult II”, the second chapter in this acoustic adventure. The concept remains the same: the band has recorded a couple of cover versions and original songs in a new dress.

Let’s start with the two cover versions. Vanden Plas have recorded their own version of “Boat on the River”, originally by Styx. It is a classic, and the Vanden Plas version lives up to expectations. While staying close to the original, the band added details that make the song sparkle.

The second cover is a cover of a thrash metal band. “Nothing Else Matters” is one of Metallica‘s biggest hits, and Vanden Plas pays tribute to these metal pioneers by giving “Nothing Else Matters” a piano-driven depth. This touching version has a lot of feeling and can stand proudly next to the original. In fact, Vanden Plas give the song an extra level of emotive intensity.

However, first up is “Face Off Grace”, the title track from the 1999 release. It’s a superb version that showcases the German prog rockers’ elegance in songwriting. With “Holes in the Sky”, we move forward eleven years in Vanden Plas’s discography. Originally released on “The Seraphic Clockwork”, the song demonstrates the power of acoustic music. The tune shows great density, and it is “The Ghost Experience” that reminds us of the 2019 release. “Healing Tree” feels like a ballad from a rock musical, featuring the mysterious voice of a female singer unnamed in the listing.

One guest who is mentioned is John Helliwell (Supertramp). His saxophone adds an extra dimension to “You Fly”, showcasing the album’s sonic diversity.

“AcCult II” is a soulful album that proves acoustic songs can be powerful, moving and heart-warming. Vanden Plas demonstrate once again that they belong in the top league of progressive rock and metal.