Vanden Plas--The God Thing

Vanden Plas--The God Thing (1997/Limb) Rating--8.5

The band's second full-length release, with a more progressive slant, ala Threshold and biting Dream Theater.
Much more flowing prog work than the debut, and more guitar-ripping. Keyboard work and acoustics are mixed into the fray, and there are solid chugs throughout.
The instrumental opener "Fire Blossom" showcases the unit's updated sound, and slides into the solid "Rainmaker". Cutting work shows up in "Garden of Stones," with both "We're Not God" and "Salt in My Wounds" being good as well.
"In You: I Believe" has some great chops and harmonics, while the chunky "Day I Die" has a nasty end-song flow. More ripping axework in "You Fly" makes it a top highlight, and helps to push this release to the top of the band's reportoire. The vocals continue to smooth, adding another positive.
TRACK LIST: Fire Blossom/Rainmaker/Garden of Stones/In You: I Believe/Day I Die/Crown of Thorns/We're Not God/Salt in My Wounds/You Fly/ Raining In My Heart

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