UNIVERSAL MIGRATOR, PART 1: THE DREAM SEQUENCER

Universal Migrator part 1 is less of a metal opera and more a collection of various songs. Despite having interesting guests such as Damian Wilson, Neal Morse, songwriting is less memorable than on the two previous albums and instrumental prowess and arrangements won't save the day.

The first instrumental intro takes long 5 minutes with not much going on. "My hours Mars" has great female vocals, mediocre male vocals and a slow pace. Some compositions like "The Shooting Company Of Captain Frans B. Coro" have undistinguishable melody and dominant atmosphere or say surface. "Dragon of the sea" feels like awakening with its quality female vocals and strong melody by Lana Lane. Jacqueline Govaert leads us through "Temple of the cat" with folky renaissance melody. Unforgettable Damian Wilson's high pitched vocal adds points to "And The Druids Turn To Stone." Neal Morse's song has traces of his typical melodies, this guy is doing his best on this one song.

A good but non-essential album by Ayreon.