Biography

Formed in 1990, German progressive metal band Vanden Plas combined the creativity of progressive rock with the aggression of metal. Consisting of Stephen Lill on guitars, Torsten Reichert on bass, Andreas Lill on drums, Andy Kuntz on vocals and Günter Werno on keyboards, Vanden Plas issued a great many singles in the 90s — in that same decade they issued three full-length albums and an EP, all of which became increasingly more adventurous and innovative and helped build their European fan base. Their first full-length album, the self-produced Colour Temple, came out in 1994 and featured a straight-ahead metal style that highlighted Lills guitar playing. That album would eventually be reissued by two other labels, giving the band more exposure and moderate commercial success. With their next album, the EP AcCult, they went in a completely different direction, making an entirely acoustic album that contained four fascinating covers, including Ray Charles Georgia on My Mind, and Kayleigh by Marillion. The album was a critical success and gave Vanden Plas the mandate to be even more creative with their next album, 1997s The God Thing. That album ventured off in prog-metal territory, combining LIlls great guitar arcs with heavily orchestrated sections, showing a heavy Dream Theater influence. Continuing in the same tradition was their 1999 release (on Inside Out Music America in the U.S.) Far Off Grace, which was followed in 2000 with a mid-priced live album, Spirit of Live. 2002s Beyond Daylight was next, showing the group growing into a more experimental and technically difficult outfit.

Members

STEPHAN LILL

GUITARS

Stephan Lill was born on November 30, 1968 in Eitorf, Germany. He began to play guitar at 13. He never took official lessons with a teacher. When he was only 16, Stephan joined the band Vanden Plas when his brother Andreas Lill recruited Andy Kuntz for vocals. He has said his influences are Blue Murder, Christina Aguilera, In Flames, Metallica, Dream Theater, Slipknot, Ill Niño. He often listens to Iron Maiden, Dokken, Whitesnake, House of Lords, Queensrÿche, Judas Priest and AC/DC.

TORSTEN REICHERT

BASS GUITAR

Torsten Reichert was born in July 8, 1971 in Kusel, Germany. He started playing guitar in local band in his town, but in the begining he played drums, then when he realized that just playing the loudest instrument wasn’t enought ,got into the bass. He’s a real fan from Death (death metal band), Flotsam & Jetsam and System of a Down and likes lots of upright bass and some early Funk/Soul Amps.

ANDY KUNTZ

VOCALS

Andy Kuntz was born on November 20, 1962 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Since age 14, he has been interested in singing and he always wanted to be a ‘big rock star.’ When he was a teenager he was in a garage punk rock band called Rock Zock. He has said his main influences are Kansas, Thin Lizzy, Van Halen, Genesis, Magnum, and Sting. Kuntz is a first cousin of former German international footballer Stefan Kuntz.

ANDREAS LILL

DRUMS

Andreas Lill was born November 3, 1965. As an early teenager he tried to learn to play bass guitar, but at 15 he started learning drums and the instrument stuck with him. He started a band called Exodus, and he recruited the now Vanden Plas singer and bandmate Andy Kuntz for vocals, and his brother Stephan Lill on guitar. Away from Vanden Plas, Lill has been involved in many musicals, such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Little Shop of Horrors, and others.

GÜNTER WERNO

KEYBOARD

Günter Werno was born September 17, 1965 in Neunkirchen, Germany. He started playing organ and he wanted to do that too. His earlier bands include Blies Blues Band, Romeo, and Juliet. He also played keyboards on DC Cooper’s solo album. His earlier bands include Blies Blues Band, Romeo, and Juliet. He also played keyboards on DC Cooper’s solo album, Missa Mercuria, Elegy, Kamelot, Angra, Place Vendome, Uniconic, Debauchery and Neonfly. He also was musical director in six theater productions. He joined Vanden Plas because the early band asked him to join them because their first keyboardist quit the band.