Izvajalec: Star One
Založba: Inside Out Records
Izid: year
Trajanje: 55:49
Ocena: 4.5/5
(please scroll down the bar for an English version)
Arjen Anthony Lucassen ali očka “Ayreon”, izumitelj vesoljskega metala je na specifičen način obdelal devet filmskih uspešnic s področja znanstevne fantastike (Star Treck, Odiseja 2001, Star Wars, Dune, Blade Runner ali Alien). Okoli sebe je Arjen zopet zbral zanimivo ekipo. Predvsem je posebno skrbnost namenil izbiri vokalov. S kombinacijo kristalno čistega vokala Damiana Wilsona (ex-Threshold) in globinsko naravnanega Russella Allena (Symphony X) je zagotovil enkraten kontrast, ki pride najbolj do iztraza v “Intergalactic Space Crusaders”. Oba pevca imata izreden občutek za glasbo in možnost improvizacije sta maksimalno izkoristila. Poleg njiju sodelujeta v preostalih vlogah še Floor Jansen (After Forever) in Dan Swano (Nightingale). Danove in Floorine pevske sposobnosti je uporabil Arjen predvsem na delih pesmi, kjer želi dvigniti vzdušje, vse težje sekvence podložene s težkim riffingom, pa odkričita Russell in Damian. Floorin vokal je podložen z večglasnim petjem predvsem v refrenih (npr. “Perfect Survivor” ali indijansko zveneče odpeti verz “High Moon”), Dan pa odpoje navadno uvodne verze, ali verze postavljene v umirjenih prehodih pesmi ter s svojim basiranjem skrbi za visoko vzdušje.
Glasbo krasi izredna dinamika in širina. Širina v smislu polnosti zvoka. Analogne klaviature in bas kitara dodajajo bobnom, ki jih odigra Ed Varby, potrebno globino, Arjen pa je zopet pokazal kako genijalen občutek ima za pisanje glasbe, saj so pesmi zopet zgrajene uravnovešeno. Nikjer osladno. Melanholični deli so izredno atmosferični, predvsem po zaslugi dodanih Hammond orgel, kjer pa se Arjen preizkusi v soliranju na električni kitari, združujejo njegove solažce praktično vse. Zategovanja strun je dovolj, hitrost ne prevlada nad melodijo, zatorej je udarnost zagotovljena. Ročica “tremelo” je tudi to pot stari Arjenov znanec. Zvok je tipično stratokasterski (po modelu električne kitare Fender Stratocaster). Včasih dobim občutek, kot bi se naselil duh Davida Gilmoura vanj. Solaže niso predolge, niso zatežene in ne pomenijo nikakršne šolske demonstracije v stilu: “Poglejte me, jaz odigram najhitrejše lestvice na svetu!”
Kdo pa zares solira z nevidnimi prsti, se lahko prepričamo pri “Master Of Darkness”, kjer se vključita v pesem Gary Werhkamp (“Shadow Gallery”) na kitari in Jens Johansson (“Stratovarius”) na klaviaturah. Oba uprizorita dvoboj svetlobnih mečev Dartha Vaderja in njegovega sina Skywalkerja mlajšega. Naj opišem na tej pesmi primer porazdelitve pevskih vlog. Dan Swano z atmosferičnim brundanjem v vlogi Skywalkerja, Damian Wilson kot Yoda, ki ga svari, naj ne bo zaletav pri izpolnjevanju zadanih ciljev, kjer pa pobesnijo kitare in klaviature, se Russell kot Darth nič kaj prijazno ne odzove na sinovo izzivanje. Dovršenost in perfekcijo zasledimo v vseh pesmih, zato se je težko odločiti za najljubšo. “The Eye Of Ra” (tema iz filma Star Treck) vključuje največ elementov progresive in temu primerno “nacefrani” so tudi rifi v njej.
Glasba je zvokovno blizu “Ayreon”, slogovno pa pomeni določen odmik. Zlasti progresivnih elementov je manj, zatorej se približujemo bolj klasičnemu heavy metalu in hard rocku. Seveda so pesmi vsaka zase zgrajene izredno raznoliko in niti za trenutek ne pustijo poslušalcu, da bi se slučajno dolgočasil. Nepredvidljivost, atmosferičnost in udarnost tega izdelka so kvalitete, ki jim lahko zavidajo mnogi glasbeniki. Produkcija je izvrstna, vse je v ravnovesju. Fantastična fantastika četrte dimenzije!
English version:
Arjen Anthony Lucassen or father “Ayreon”, the inventor of Space Metal did on a very special non-cliché way nine themes from a science-fiction movies (Star Treck, Alien, Star Wars, Blade Runner, Dune,…) and converted them into great fusion of Progressive and Classic Heavy Metal, that meets some great Hard Rock touches. So music style differs from what he’s doing with “Ayreon”, but on the other hand the complete sound is very close to Ayreon again. Songs are structured with great diversity. In every song we have different melodies, rhythm changes and dynamic lead breaks. Some lead breaks are played by Jens Johansson (Stratovarius) on keyboards and Gary Werhkamp (Shadow Gallery) with his invisible fingers on electric guitar. We can find a great duel of those two guys in “Master Of Darkness” acting a sword’s fight between father Darth Vader and his son Skywalker junior.
A piece with most progressive influences is undoubtedly “The Eye Of Ra”, a theme from Star Track movie with a great finish.
Arjen is showing what a great songwriter he is, again. He (of course) composed all music and lyrics. Analog synthesizers were used again and that gives to drums a wide soundfull beat. Arjen played also whole the bass line. A great atmosphere is also achieved in melancholic parts of songs due to Hammond organ that was used throughout all record. And whenever Arjen decides to play a solo on the guitar, there’s no lack of using tremolo or flenger. In a very Dave Gilmour’s way. You won’t find a school demonstration: “Who owns the fastest finger grip on solos?” All Arjen’s solos are well balanced, speed never dominates the melody, Arjen also chooses right moments when to pull off a string. All his solos are very dramatic, easy to get into ear, expressed in melancholic emotional way. I can’t ask for more. All instruments are completely balanced, and sound of the whole record is full.
Arjen paid very special attention in choosing a vocalists. He recruited Damian Wilson (“ex-Threshold”), Russell Allen (“Symphony X”), Floor Jansen (“After Forever”) and Dan Swano (“Nightingale”). This is perhaps the main reason why this work is such a beauty. Crystal clear Damian’s singing combined with more Dio, G. Hughes or T. Martin oriented Russell’s style gives a great contrast of two vocals. This contrast of both vocals emerges especially magnificent in a song called “Intergalactic Space Crusaders”. Both guys showed again how talented musicians they are and used all space that has been left for improvisation very well. Floor’s vocal abilities were used mainly in covering chorus space (for example “Perfect Survivor” or “High Moon”). Dan raises the atmosphere in intros with his low singing and gives some dramatic touches in slower non-riffing parts of songs. A perfect combination of singers.
So what we have here is a complete perfection of great balanced production and fluidness of songs diversity achieving a high atmosphere through entire record. Music is totally unpredictable and will never let you to become bored. Another masterpiece from Lucassen’s factory is here and a fourth dimension closer to us once again. I warmly recommend you this beauty.
Zasedba
Russell Allen – vokal
Damian Wilson – vokal
Floor Jansen – vokal
Dan Swanö – vokal
Dave Brock – vokal
Robert Soeterboek – vokal
Arjen Lucassen – kitara, bas kitara, klaviature, sintetizatorji
Jens Johanssen – klaviature
Eik Norlander – klaviature
Gary Wehrkamp – kitara
Ed Warby – bobni
Produkcija
Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Seznam skladb
1. Lift off
2. Set Your Controls
3. High Moon
4. Songs of the Ocean
5. Master of Darkness
6. The Eye of Ra
7. Sandrider
8. Perfect Survivor
9. Intergalactic Space Crusaders
10. Starchild
