Not sure what the prices where like 18 months ago mate , but for sure the server has improved a great amount in the time you have been gone. It is very fun to play and be apart of.
I think you should try and put an unban appeal and maybe test it out for your self , as its a lot better than all these other servers around ?.
If you decide to put an appeal in , just click on the support option and click on either unban appeal or if you were permanently/ community banned put in a 6 months + unban appeal.