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Ayreon - Into the Electric Castle (1998.)

Disc 1
 

1. Welcome To The New Dimension

2. Isis And Osiris
a. Let The Journey Begin
b. The Hall Of Isis And Osiris
c. Strange Constellations
d. Reprise

3. Amazing Flight
a. Amazing Flight In Space
b. Stardance
c. Flying Colours

4. Time Beyond Time

5. The Decission Tree (We're Alive)

6. Tunnel Of Light

7. Across The Rainbow Bridge

Disc 2

1. The Garden Of Emotions
a. All In The Garden Of Emotions
b. Voices In The Sky
c. The Aggression Factor

2. Valley Of The Queens

3. The Castle Hall

4. Tower Of Hope

5. Cosmic Fusion
a. I Soar On The Breeze
b. Death's Grunt
c. The Passing Of An Eagle

6. The Mirror Maze
a. Inside The Mirror Maze
b. Through The Mirror

7. Evil Devolution

8. The Two Gates

9. "Forever Of The Stars"

10. Anothe Time, Another Space

Arjen Lucassen kicks ass! That says about all.

This is another one in long line of progressive conceptual albums, but with one big difference: thematics. It is SF story that, of course, has much wider and deeper meaning than it's simple story.

Music by itself is very hard to describe. Complex guitar and synth solos, sometimes in hard rock style, sometimes with pure Dream Theater and Symphony X atmosphere, and sometomes directly influenced (imho) by Pink Floyd. I can mention one more thing: Anneke Van Giersbergen took part of "Egyptian" character (hehe... she is one of my favourite female singers).

This album also justifies title "opera" because it has all elements that one modern works should have (cast of roles and  story)...

You should never skip this album! You must hear it!
 

rate: 10

(progressive masterpiece)

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∞

� Cedo Krsmanovic