01011001

What can i say? Its great. I love this album - its a piece of genius. I am a huge Ayreon fan, i love his music - and i think that The Human Equation is perhaps the greatest album of all time. This album doesnt quite reach the dizzy heights of THE, but it comes damn close.

The feeling of this album is darker, heavier and almost more industrial. There are many keyboard loops, electronic sound effects and keyboard leaden melodies. There are more heavy riffs, more usage of the seven-string and pounding metal choruses. Having said that - Ayreon hasnt gone power-metal/electro-prog. Dont worry, its still complete prog heaven. There are laods of complex melody lines, loads of interesting, powerful vocal lines and intricate arrangements - with often lush keyboards over the top. Some of the cheese factor has gone. He's toned down on the melodrama. I, personally, give that as the reason for this album not being quite as good as THE. I loved the melodrama, operatic feel of ITEC and THE - and that has been set down considerably on 01011001, but it is still Ayreon, and some songs still have the rock-opera feel to them.

Standouts would be Beneath the Waves; this song is marvelous, lush, mellow...beautiful - and has the most amazing chorus ever, so smooth and powerful. Age of Shadows; another standout, and a ripping opener - powerful, pounding and equiped with a massive chorus (and a lovely mealencholy section in the middle). New Born Race; again, a fantasic song full of loads of interesting changing sections - a real prog metal feast. Waking Dreams; this song is so incredibly beautiful - the chorus is so epic (reminiscent of The Dream Sequencer album).

I could go on about the great songs all day, they are all fantasic. It's such a great album - you can clearly tell so much effort and emotion has gone into this album - in many places it really is moving. I urge you to go and buy this, give it several spins, and see if you dont love every second of it.