Since the late Eighties, when the band first got together, Vanden Plas never lost sight of their ambitious goal: expressive music with emotional depth and a melancholy prog metal corset. Starting off with their debut album Colour Temple (1994), the band continued to gather an ever-increasing following with their versatile, intuitive and always unbridled lust for playing. Two years later, in 1997, Vanden Plas brought out their epic bombast successor The God Thing, which was praised by renowned magazines like Metal Hammer, Rock Hard, Burrn!, Aardschock and Flash. A six week tour with Dream Theater followed, like a sort of knighthood conferred on the highest level. The group went on to bring out the unplugged EP AcCult, on which the fascinating aspects of their compositions came to fruition in all their purity. Each Vanden Plas release shows the great musical diversity of the five band members, who have all repeatedly been involved in theatre projects and rock musicals like 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Little Shop of Horrors' or 'Evita'. In September 1999, Vanden Plas returned to the limelight with Far Off Grace, which had been recorded by Pink Cream 69 bassist/producer Dennis Ward at the House Of Audio. The band presented themselves in an even more compact and determined style, remaining melodic and innovative at the same time.
Spring 2000 saw Vanden Plas recording a concert in front of enthusiastic fans at the Elysée Montmartre in Paris, releasing the cuts on their Spirit of Live album, which also featured a duet by vocalist Andy Kuntz and Don Dokken on the Dokken cover 'Kiss Of Death', and a breathtaking duel between guitarist Stephan Lill and his French colleague Patrick Rondat - over 73 minutes of intense live atmosphere which speak of the band's unbridled enthusiasm for their music. The same enthusiasm comes across on Beyond Daylight, combined with a determination to link past, present and future.
They have since released three more albums (Christ 0, The Seraphic Clockwork and Chronicles of the Immortals - Netherworld (Path 1)).
The band's line-up is formed by Andy Kuntz (vocals), Stephan Lill (guitars), Andreas Lill (drums), Günter Werno (keyboards) and Torsten Reichert (bass).
Side-projects include:
Abydos, a rock opera by Andy Kuntz and Andreas Lill among others.
Missa Mercuria, a metal opera by Stephan Lill, Günter Werno and DC Cooper (DC Cooper, Silent Force among others), among others, released in 2003.
Consortium Project III - Terra Incognita (The Undiscovered World). Featuring Stephan Lill on guitar, this project of Elegy vocalist Ian Parry was released in 2003.
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Note that "Vanden Plas" are different to "The Vanden Plas" which is a British electronic act.
Postcard To God
Vanden Plas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Surrounded by this pine and never ending days
I'm living in a prison but I dare to die outside
That keeps my will alive
And we're sending out a message
And we're sending out a prayer
And the voices asking every night
Somebody knows, somebody knows
When I pray I can say
All my believing in just one word
When I pray then I may
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
And now you buy me roses
And some needless little things
You're singing me a song
In a tune that no one signs
I'm longing for these memories
They keep me warm and safe
You throw'em in my grave
And I'm seidng you a message
And I'm sending you a prayer
All the echoes whisper in my ear
Is there anybody there
Somebody knows, somebody knows
When I pray I can say
All my believing in just one word
When I pray then I may
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
When I pray when I pray
When I pray when I pray
The lyrics to "Postcard To God" by Vanden Plas can be interpreted in various ways, but one of the most notable themes in the song is that of faith and hope. The singer seems to be trapped in a situation resembling a prison but holds onto the belief that there's a greater power that can help him. The lines "Surrounded by a cover like a shield for all the faith, surrounded by this pine and never-ending days" suggest that even though the singer is in a difficult environment, his faith protects him and keeps him going.
The chorus of the song speaks about sending a message and prayer to an unknown recipient, possibly to God. The singer expresses his doubts about the existence of someone or something that can hear his prayers as he asks, "Is there anybody there, somebody knows, somebody knows?" However, he still sends out his message because he believes that there might be someone listening on the other end.
The second verse of the song switches to the perspective of someone who is outside the prison, perhaps a loved one of the singer. They are seen buying gifts for the singer and singing a song that no one else knows. The singer reminisces about the moments spent with this person and how their memories keep him going.
Overall, "Postcard To God" is a plea for help, a message of hope, and a reflection on faith and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Surrounded by a cover like a shield for all the faith
I am protected by my belief system, which is like a shield.
Surrounded by this pine and never ending days
I feel trapped and isolated, like I'm stuck in a place with no change or progress.
I'm living in a prison but I dare to die outside
I feel trapped in my current situation, but I am willing to risk it all in order to find freedom.
That keeps my will alive
My desire to break free is what motivates me to keep going.
And we're sending out a message
We are expressing our thoughts and emotions to a higher power.
And we're sending out a prayer
We are asking for guidance and help from a divine source.
And the voices asking every night
Our doubts and fears are constantly questioning if anyone is listening.
Is there anybody there
We are seeking reassurance that our cries for help are not going unheard.
Somebody knows, somebody knows
We hold onto the hope that there is a higher power who understands our struggles and needs.
When I pray I can say
Through prayer, I am able to express my deepest emotions and beliefs.
All my believing in just one word
Through my faith, I am able to communicate my entire belief system in a single word.
When I pray then I may
Prayer gives me the opportunity to connect with a divine source and ask for guidance.
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
My prayer is like a message sent to a higher power, expressing my thoughts and emotions without the need for words on paper.
And now you buy me roses
You are trying to show your affection for me through gifts and gestures.
And some needless little things
Although they may be small, these gifts are still meaningful to me.
You're singing me a song
Your words and actions are like music to my ears, giving me comfort and joy.
In a tune that no one signs
Our love is unique and cannot be compared to anyone else's love story.
I'm longing for these memories
I cherish the memories we have created together and hold them close to my heart.
They keep me warm and safe
Thinking about our memories together gives me a sense of comfort and security.
You throw'em in my grave
Even after I have passed away, I will treasure these memories forever.
When I pray I can say
Through prayer, I am able to achieve a sense of inner peace and clarity.
All my believing in just one word
With just a single word, I am able to express my entire belief system and the core of my identity.
When I pray then I may
Through prayer, I am able to connect with a divine source and find guidance and comfort.
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
Prayer is like a message sent to a higher power, expressing my thoughts and emotions without the need for physical words on paper.
When I pray when I pray
Through prayer, I am able to feel closer to a higher power and find a sense of inner peace.
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RoyMach1ne
Surrounded by a cover like a shield for all the faith
Surrounded by despite and never ending days
I'm living in a prison but I dare to die outside
That keeps my will alive
And we're sending out a message
And we're sending out a prayer
And the voices asking every night
Is there anybody there
Somebody knows, somebody knows
When I pray I can say
All my believing in just one word
When I pray then I may
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
And now you buy me roses
And some needless little things
You're singing me a song
In a tune that no none sings
I'm longing for these memories
They keep me warm and safe
You throw 'em in my grave
And I'm sending you a message
And I'm sending you a prayer
All the echoes whisper in my ear
Is there anybody there
Somebody knows, somebody knows
When I pray I can say
All my believing in just one word
When I pray then I may
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
When I pray I can say
All my believing in just one word
When I pray then I may
Sending an unwritten postcard to god
When I pray when I pray
When I pray when I pray
@heidrunu.1566
Sie sind eine Band, wie man sie sich früher vorstellte. Sie sind wie Familie, kennen sich ewig, halten zusammen, machen in Bezug auf kommerzielle Musik keinen Kompromiss, obwohl sie das mit Links koennten, sondern machen seit Jahrzehnten mit voller Überzeugung IHR Ding. Mehr Respekt hab ich kaum noch für Jemanden.
@FeelingShred
OMG just found this, AMAZING life-changing music 🔥🤘🤘the spark of light is alive again 🙏
@gessicarocha2219
I've been a fan of Vanden Plas for the past 10 years or so and it's just a pity that I've never had the chance to see them alive. They are fantastic and Andy Kuntz vocals are no less than perfect in my modest opinion. They deserve all the recognition an amazing band like them can possibly get. And I hope I'll get to see them alive someday...
@d.o.c.1676
Gessica Rocha
Same here. Although I just recently discovered them about a year ago. Waiting for them to visit California
@rdganselmo777
i have a dream to see this lovely band here in BRASIL
@pjmulero
I have a dream that I will someday watch them live anywhere in the world 🌎 My life depends on it! 🤘
@philippesgrimard7208
One of the best prog metal band ever, can't wait for the DVD!!!!
@matheusvmoraes
Essa banda manda muito bem 🤘🏼🎶🇧🇷
@heidrunu.1566
In our very strange times, they are the constant light, that lead us through.
@ricben1973
Great band and one of the best live singer!