VICTIMS OF THE MODERN AGE

I don't see many differences between the Ayreon usual style and this Star One project of Arjen Lucassen. There's more metal than prog, maybe, but the use of many singers in a sort of rock- opera style is not too different from the Ayreon's things.

The album is good. Heavy and well played. The keyboards play an important role on all the tracks and the sounds are almost the same that can be heard on any Ayreon's album. In brief, remove the folky interludes and the voice of Heather Findlay, calm down a bit the guitars and you'll have a metal version of Human Equation.

The title track, in particular, reminds a lot to Day Sixteen, with the heavy bass replacing the didgeridoo. However, even if reminding in some way of the 80s longhair metal bands like and a bit also to Dream Theater this is the usual good Lucassen.

Not a masterpiece, specially for those are already familiar with Lucassen's projects, not last the Guilt Machine as it's not too different but it's in any case a good prog-metal album with some highlights and the rest averagely good.

The only thing that I don't really understand is why in the CD era one has to fade out a song, specially a title track. Don't you have ideas for the final?

My favourite track is the uptime "Human See, Human Do" which makes me think to the early Motorhead (not for the voices).

A good album to raise up your energy (use it carefully when driving) . But not essential.