01011001

For me "The Universal Migrator" and "The Human Equation" are one of the best albums ever made and definitely those that made me fall head over heals in love with Arjen Lucassen's music. Therefore I had truly high expectations when "01011001" came out. However, the first impression wasn't what I had hoped at all. For one, the title sucks utter crap and the cover art is pretentious at best. Fortunately it so happens that this is a diamond in the ruff, for behind the ugly exterior it lays a true treasure.

There are many reasons why I find this album to be a masterpiece. First of all it is performed by the strongest line-up ever to be seen on a metal album, secondly the song material is pure awesomeness and thirdly it has the purest and most wonderful production. When I first examined the line-up I was very pleased to find names like Jonas P Renkse, Jorn Lande, Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Tom S. Englund (Evergrey) and Daniel Gildenlöv (Pain of Salvation) which are all great singers, but the unquestionably best recruit in my book is my own personal favorite Anneke van Giersbergen (ex- The Gathering) who totally owns this album. What wonderful vocals which incidentally fits perfectly with this futuristic progressive metal soundscape!

In the end, one must however admit that the line- up wouldn't have been something to cheer about if it wasn't for the songs, or should I say conceptual journey, this album has to offer. The red thread shines clearer than ever before and makes Tobias Sammet's attempts to create metal operas seem like something carelessly wrapped together (which they for the record are not). The material is varied but at the same time glued together with perfect execution and if it had contained a few more heavy parts, like on the opener "Age of Shadows", it would have been a full pointer if I've ever seen one.

In the end I would say "01011001" is quite on par with "The Universal Migrator" and "The Human Equation", making it one of the best concept albums in the history of metal!

Share this AYREON review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to ironman2002
• Report this review (#3053371)
• Buy AYREON music online with PA partners
• Show all AYREON MP3/Stream
• Go to AYREON page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to 01011001 page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for AYREON related discussions