Ayreon: The Theory Of Everything (InsideOut)
The album centres on the story of The Prodigy (Kaverik) a genius savant used by his Father (Mills) in his work to discover the GUT or The Theory of Everything while his Mother (Scabbia) just wants to protect him. He has his own issues along the way, his Rival (Heitala) is jealous of his genius and his relationship with a Girl (Squadrani), his Psychiatrist (Wetton) wants to put him on an experimental drug to help with his savantism and his Teacher (JB) wants only to mould and help this genius mind. Musically this album defies all definitions. It's at parts folky, parts space opera, parts 70's prog, parts modern prog metal, etc. but the thing is, with all these conflicting styles it never once feels confused or cluttered, all the sections and segues make sense together as a whole. At no point are any of the genre shifts jarring or unnecessary. The best description I can find is its part Progressive Metal album Part Broadway Musical with its grand story and larger than life characters.
You'll notice I haven't put any songs or tracks I would recommend that's because it's difficult to take any of these tracks out of context. The Album truly only has 4 tracks, known as phases and each with at least 10 "parts" that come together to tell a full story. If pushed I would suggest seeking out Progressive Waves (Phase I: Part VII) for the synth work by Rudess and Emerson, Alive! (Phase II: Part X) for the stupendous vocal work and The Breakthrough (Phase IV: Part VI) for sheer head bounciness. This is one of those albums that to really experience it you must listen to the whole thing as one cohesive piece of work; a rare enough trait in most modern albums where the demand for a lead single is paramount. In a world of bands trying to bring back the old days by simply rehashing and repackaging bands from way back when (I'm looking at you A7X), Arjen and Co. demonstrate how to really show tribute and reverence to the old days whilst still bringing in something new.
So there I was all ready to crown Steven Wilsons phenomenal record The Raven That Refused To Sing (...And Other Stories) my album of the year when from out of the skies like a bolt from the blue comes The Theory Of Everything from Dutch musician Arjen A. Lucassen and his band Ayreon.
This album really has to be heard to be believed. The Theory Of Everythingis Ayreon’s 8th studio album and really steps up a notch, to summarise it is an exercise in excess, Lucassen performs the majority of the instruments and Ed Warby on the drums complements him perfectly with appearances from Troy Donockley (Nightwish/Mostly Autumn), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman (Yes) on the musicians side this is a prog fans wet dream and that’s just discounting the vocals, on that side we have JB (Grand Magus), Sara Squadrani (Ancient Bards), Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Northern Kings, Tarot), John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson) and Christina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil) in her career best work. But the real show stoppers are Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) and Michael Mills (Toehinder). At points I was quite literally taken aback by the power of their voices. I had never heard Mills before this but trust I will be seeking him out further if all of his vocal performances are of this calibre. Every singer on this album really brings their A-Game as they each play a role in the story of the album much like actors in a play.
You'll notice I haven't put any songs or tracks I would recommend that's because it's difficult to take any of these tracks out of context. The Album truly only has 4 tracks, known as phases and each with at least 10 "parts" that come together to tell a full story. If pushed I would suggest seeking out Progressive Waves (Phase I: Part VII) for the synth work by Rudess and Emerson, Alive! (Phase II: Part X) for the stupendous vocal work and The Breakthrough (Phase IV: Part VI) for sheer head bounciness. This is one of those albums that to really experience it you must listen to the whole thing as one cohesive piece of work; a rare enough trait in most modern albums where the demand for a lead single is paramount. In a world of bands trying to bring back the old days by simply rehashing and repackaging bands from way back when (I'm looking at you A7X), Arjen and Co. demonstrate how to really show tribute and reverence to the old days whilst still bringing in something new.
Oh yes and the total number of parts on The Theory of Everything? 42(!)Well done boys and girls 10/10