Ayreon: Electric Castle (A Space Opera)

You're right ... I don't want to give away too much. Electric Castle is about a group of human beings from many periods (egyptian, medieval, 20th century, future) who have to participate in a weird experiment performed by some kind of alien entity ...

Edit: Yeah, come to think of it - these characters portray the different emotions. The scientist from the future represents reason, the barbarian represents anger, the hippie represents joy, the egyptian sorrow etc.

Progzilla wrote: It was fun to read your "argumentation" on Ayreon, I myself like both Universal migrator and Human Equation immensely. I'm really looking forward to getting Electric Castle now...! I'd like to point out one thing about the use of impressive guest vocalists. Of course it doesn't guarantee that the songs will be awesome, but on Human Equation it is absolutely wonderful for the concept. Having each character performed by a guest vocalists really makes them believable (especially as the vocalists do a great job!). When the characters have a unique voice it is easy to tell them apart and the story really shines through. It really is a Human Equation. Having said that, it is of course the music is what makes Ayreon so good.

I think that on Electric Castle the voices match the characters even a little better. There is even more variety, extreme growling (Death), the hippie (Lucassen), the Highlander (Fish!), the guy from the future (Damian Wilson), ... wonderful.

tuxon wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: tuxon wrote: Into The Electric Castle is by far the best album from Ayreon (disregarding The Human Equation, since I only heard it once, and wasn't impressed) If you only heard it once, you can't possibly understand it. That's why I disregard The Human Equation in the previous statement. I can't judge that album, so untill I have listened The Human Equation more properly ITEC is the best Ayreon album.

I guess I misunderstood the word "disregard" ... nevermind. 

tuxon wrote: Into The Electric Castle is by far the best album from Ayreon (disregarding The Human Equation, since I only heard it once, and wasn't impressed) It's a cross between neo-prog and progressive metal, with a "spacey" atmosphere dripping from every melody and rhythm. Mostly bombastic and over the top, so hardly any subtelty, but I like bombastics, when done properly. Great keyboard soloing (Arjan, Nolan, Valentine, Scherpenzeel) Great singers (Fish, Damien Wilson, Anneke van Giersbergen, Sharon den Adel, and some more) Brilliant album from a heavy perspective, maybe a bit over the top if you prefer more subtle music

I think you have smelled too many gasoline vapors Tuxxy. Sure, Into the Electric Castle had a great cast, but my biggest problem with the lp is that it lacked the emotion while the  The Human Equation is just wrought with it. Also, I would say the music itself is far more dynamic in THE. Another problem of mine with that lp is that the female singers weren't allowed to spread their wings so to speak.

Perhaps I would feel differently as you do if my 1st experience with Ayreon was Into the Electric Castle, but I doubt it....I probably would have not purchased another one throwing into my...Okay but nothing special catagory. Lucky for me I purchased The Human Equation 1st.

Into The Electric Castle is by far the best album from Ayreon (disregarding The Human Equation, since I only heard it once, and wasn't impressed)

It's a cross between neo-prog and progressive metal, with a "spacey" atmosphere dripping from every melody and rhythm.

Mostly bombastic and over the top, so hardly any subtelty, but I like bombastics, when done properly.

Great keyboard soloing (Arjan, Nolan, Valentine, Scherpenzeel)
Great singers (Fish, Damien Wilson, Anneke van Giersbergen, Sharon den Adel, and some more)

Brilliant album from a heavy perspective, maybe a bit over the top if you prefer more subtle music

grandoleopry wrote: I just found out why the guys on prog archives are hating Aryeon one moment and raving about the Human Equation the Next. Jame Labrie is on it. Enough said. I would now be shocked out of my gourd if it was even as good as Electric Castle now, considering all the DT Nazis out there. Better? No chance. Nobody but the Beatles or maybe Tull could do something that good twice. I have been listening to music a long time and an album like Electric Castle comes around only a few times in a lifetime. Especially nowadays...Closed minded maybe, open minded maybe not. Empty minded? Never!

It is really as good as the Electric Castle, but at the same time very different. But hearing you talk about "DT Nazis", I doubt that you could appreciate it for what it is ...

King of Loss wrote: My rating of this disc Into Electric Castle *** Why? Because there are parts where I feel like something is missing. Its missing that oh... I can't really tell you, but its missing that something.

Didn't you just post in my prog metal poll, with Ayreon as your #3? If so, what Ayreon album would you prefer?

My rating of this disc

Into Electric Castle ***

Why? Because there are parts where I feel like something is missing. Its missing that oh... I can't really tell you, but its missing that something.

fandango wrote: MikeEnRegalia wrote: Metal is VERY MUCH my cup of tea, and that may influence my judgment. But knowing that, I have become very careful when talking about music that is NOT my cup of tea. I would never post in a Canterbury thread that I think Caravan are overrated, just because I don't like Canterbury. BTW, ordered In The Land Of Pink And Grey ... can't wait for it to arrive. What I'm saying is that when you bash an artist because you don't like the genre, you make a fool out of yourself (not talking about you specifically, eugene) and hurt the feelings of the fans. They are not all just "fanboys", but - although biased - also much more knowledgeable about the artist and similar artists of the genre. Regarding the list: So you are really saying that these artists (that you even call "brilliant") all were wrong about Arjen. Don't you at least accept the possibility that you might be wrong, and that he in fact has at least produced a single work of genius? To be honest Mike, no.  As you know, I have responded to your metal threads, as I enjoy DT, SG, Symph X, Threshold, Evergrey, FW, Vanden Plas and so on, just like you do.  But I just CANNOT see the fascination with Ayreon, and it never ceases to amaze me, the list of names who guest on his albums. To me, its pompous, overblown, synthetic, formulaic and frankly quite ridiculous... 'File under Space Metal' my rectum!  People sometimes have a pop at Symphony X for being characateurs of the genre (which I can understand) though they are nothing compared to this project, which frankly does none of us any favours... sorry if I've offended anyone, but that's MHO.

"File under Space Metal" ... I think that sticker was only for the Star One project. As I have stated many times, it's this "pompous, overblown" quality that I like most about Ayreon. When I'm in the mood for bold music, they are just what I need. When I'm in the mood for understatement, I might listen to some Porcupine Tree, or Camel, or Robert Fripp, ...

Ayreon are not for everyone. Why can't we just agree on THAT?