It's been a while since the last Vanden Plas release (2006's Christ O), but one thing I've learned about this band is that they may keep you waiting, but when they do issue a new album it's always worth the wait. That trend holds true with The Seraphic Clockwork, the band's sixth studio album and first for the Frontiers label. I can't imagine any Vanden Plas fan being disappointed with this one, mainly because The Seraphic Clockwork is so true to the band's core sound. The German band has always had a perfect blend of melodic and progressive metal, though on The Seraphic Clockwork the balance is definitely titled in the progressive direction. The musicianship is more technical, the sounds are multi-layered and the songs are generally longer and noticeably heavier. The album is still quite melodic in a way that should appeal to Frontiers' core customers. Like Christ 0, this is a concept album, and one that seems written for a future stage adaptation. I don't have a handle on the story yet, but the overall songwriting is impressive enough. It reminds me in many ways of Angra's epic Temple of Shadows. Highlights include the soulful "Scars of an Angel," where vocalist Andy Kuntz trades off with a guest female vocalist who sounds a lot like Sarah McLachlan, and the 13-minute epic "On My Way To Jerusalem," which starts slow and builds to a powerful, soaring conclusion. The album closes with a bonus track, a live performance of the song "Eleyson," which I assume is from Kuntz's stage work on Jesus Christ Superstar. It's a cool enough addition, but doesn't really fit the album's overall style. Vanden Plas is getting better at what they do with each release, and they've established themselves as one of the absolute best bands in the progressive metal arena. I'm still partial to the first couple of Vanden Plas albums, but The Seraphic Clockwork is a very impressive album that shouldn't disappoint the band's fans.