Vanden Plas - 'Far Off Grace' (official music video)

On the way you start to go
Where the morning meets the light
All the reasons washed ashore to foreign lands
Where you want to go - where you want to rise
Innovation sees the coexistent world
Now you are sailing to the edge yonder the waves
To the place you were left behind
And you're speaking to the voices of the sea
Why he had to leave - but still you have to stay
What do you know - where do we go
We are born to stay - here far off grace

And a crayfish is the lord of the long forgotten things
In the deep and healing oceans so divine
All the essences i face they were singing me the song
About the meaning and the reasons that he's gone
Full of wisdom are the images they told
And salvation saves our soul
Everyday we are searching for this foreign place
Where he had to leave - but still you have to stay

What do you know - where do we go
We are born to stay - here far off grace

Waiting for the dawn - morning meets the light
Wash me to the shore into a land so far beyond
Sailing to the edge - leaving with the tide
Searching for the a place where you will nevermore be alone

Hear the serenade - the serenade
What do you know - where do we go
We are born to stay - here far off grace

Πριν από τρεις δεκαετίες, τον Οκτώβριο του 1996, οι Vanden Plas κυκλοφόρησσαν ακουστικό δίσκο υπό τον τίτλο "AcCult". Μετά από τριάντα χρόνια θα κυκλοφορήσει η συνέχειά του. "AcCult II" ο τίτλος και αναμένεται στα μέσα του πρώτου καλοκαιρινού μήνα.

Οι Γερμανοί progsters υπάρχουν στο heavy metal σύμπαν από το μακρινό 1986! Έχουν κυκλοφορήσει ένδεκα "ολοκληρωμένους" δίσκους, έξι singles, ένα demo, ένα ep, ένα split (μαζί με τους Angra) και τρία live albums.

Δελτίο τύπου: «German progressive metal pioneers Vanden Plas are back with AcCult 2, the highly anticipated acoustic sequel to their 1996 landmark album AcCult.

Building on the innovative concept that first reimagined tracks from their debut Colour Temple in a stripped-down, unplugged setting, this new release revisits select songs from their extensive catalog with fresh acoustic arrangements, offering fans a completely new perspective on the band’s music.

In addition to reworked originals like Far Off Grace, Holes in the Sky, The Ghost Experiment, and You Fly, AcCult 2 features inspired interpretations of classic songs from other artists, including Styx’s Boat on the River and Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters, blending reverence for the originals with Vanden Plas’ signature emotional depth and musical sophistication.

Notably, John Helliwell of Supertramp makes a guest appearance on saxophone on the album’s closing track, You Fly, adding a unique, melodic touch to the album’s finale.

The album showcases the band’s current lineup - Andy Kuntz (vocals), Stephan Lill (guitars), Andreas Lill (drums), Thorsten Reichert (bass), and Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards)-whose synergy brings a nuanced warmth to each track.

With AcCult 2, Vanden Plas demonstrates that their progressive sensibilities translate seamlessly into intimate, acoustic settings, creating a compelling experience that resonates both with longtime fans and newcomers alike.»

Band: Vanden Plas
Country of origin: Germany
Location: Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate
Formed in: 1986
Genre: Progressive Metal
Lyrical themes: Existence, Philosophy, History, Religion, Personal
Years active: 1986-present

Music video: "Far Off Grace"
Album: "AcCult II"
Type: Full length
Release date: June 12th, 2026
Label: Frontiers Music Srl

Track listing:
1. Far Off Grace
2. Holes In The Sky
3. The Ghost Experiment
4. Boat On The River (Styx cover)
5. Healing Tree
6. Postcard To God
7. Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
8. You Fly (ft John Helliwell)

Line-up:
Andy Kuntz - Vocals
Stephan Lill - Guitars
Andreas Lill - Drums
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards
Torsten Reichert - Bass

Guest/Session:
John Helliwell Saxophone (track 8)