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Star One: Revel in Time

Twelve years after Victims of the Modern Age, Arjen Anthony Lucassen finally delivers the anticipated third studio album from his sci-fi metal project Star One, this one titled Revel in Time for InsideOut Music. Once again with usual participants Russell Allen, Dan Swano, Floor Jansen, and Damian Wilson in tow, Arjen has opened up the roster for this one, with additional singers Ross Jennings (Haken), Jeff Scott Soto (Sons of Apollo), Joe Lynne Turner (Rainbow), Roy Khan (ex-Kamelot, Conception), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath), Brandon Yeagley, Brittney Slayes, Michael Mills, and a few others participating. The album also features guest instrumentalists Steve Vai, Adrian Vandenberg, Timo Somers, Jens Johansson, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Marcel Singor, Lisa Bella Donna, Joost van den Broek, Michael Romeo, and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, all of whom drop in guitar or keyboard solos alongside the regular 'band', which consists of Lucassen (guitars, keys, bass), Ed Warby (drums), and Erik van Ittersum (Solina Strings). Marcela Bovio & Irene Jansen are on board with backing vocals.

As you can expect, Star One provide the same type of all-star collaborations on a grand scale as Lucassen's other project Ayreon, except here the emphasis is more on the heavy metal side of things than the progressive rock. Plenty of tremendous to be found on Revel in Time, including the super heavy "28 Days (Till the End of Time)" featuring a snarling Russell Allen, a potent Jeff Scott Soto on the crushing "Back From the Past", a fiery Brittney Slayes on the red hot "Fate of Man", and the combination of Roy Khan & Steve Vai on the lengthy "Lost Children of the Universe". In all honesty, there's no weak moment to be found here on Revel in Time; everyone brings their A-games, and the songs are heavy & instantly memorable.

What's also a really neat idea is having a 2nd CD with the same songs but different vocalists on each track. Cuijpers especially takes advantage of this, appearing on a handful of extra tracks on the bonus disc and knocking it out of the park...that's right, his work with Praying Mantis is NO FLUKE folks. Also, though I love Roy Khan's performance on the closing epic "Lost Children of the Universe", I might even prefer Tony Martin's take on that same song. It's quite fun to hear these same songs given alternate spins with different singers. Bottom line is Revel in Time is a kick ass heavy metal/hard rock album, and once again, Mr. Lucassen does not disappoint.


Track Listing
CD 1
1. "Fate of Man" (inspired by The Terminator[1][3]) Brittney Slayes 5:29
2. "28 Days (Till the End of Time)" (inspired by Donnie Darko;[1]) Russell Allen 7:20
3. "Prescient" (inspired by Primer[1]) Micheal Mills, Ross Jennings 6:34
4. "Back from the Past" (inspired by Back to the Future[1]) Jeff Scott Soto 4:50
5. "Revel in Time" (inspired by Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure[6][1]) Brandon Yeagley 4:37
6. "The Year of '41" (inspired by The Final Countdown[1]) Joe Lynn Turner 6:20
7. "Bridge of Life" (inspired by Frequency[1]) Damian Wilson 5:13
8. "Today Is Yesterday" (inspired by Groundhog Day[1]) Dan Swanö 5:46
9. "A Hand on the Clock" (inspired by Source Code[1]) Floor Jansen 5:51
10. "Beyond the Edge of it All" (inspired by Sapphire & Steel[1]) John Jaycee Cuijpers 4:52
11. "Lost Children of the Universe" (inspired by Interstellar[2][1]) Roy Khan 9:46
Total length: 66:42


CD2-alternate versions with different vocalists
1. "Fate of Man" (inspired by The Terminator[1][3]) Marcela Bovio 5:29
2. "28 Days (Till the End of Time)" (inspired by Donnie Darko;[1]) John Jaycee Cuijpers 7:20
3. "Prescient" (inspired by Primer[1]) Will Shaw 6:34
4. "Back from the Past" (inspired by Back to the Future[1]) Cuijpers 4:50
5. "Revel in Time" (inspired by Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure[6][1]) Cuijpers 4:37
6. "The Year of '41" (inspired by The Final Countdown[1]) Alessandro Del Vecchio 6:20
7. "Bridge of Life" (inspired by Frequency[1]) Wilmer Waarbroek 5:13
8. "Today Is Yesterday" (inspired by Groundhog Day[1]) Arjen Anthony Lucassen 5:46
9. "A Hand on the Clock" (inspired by Source Code[1]) Bovio, Irene Jansen (verses) 5:51
10. "Beyond the Edge of it All" (inspired by Sapphire & Steel[1]) Mike Andersson 4:52
11. "Lost Children of the Universe" (inspired by Interstellar[2][1]) Tony Martin 9:46
Total length: 66:42

Added: July 19th 2022
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1301
Language: english

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» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

Star One: Revel in Time
Posted by Eric Porter, SoT Staff Writer on 2022-07-19 13:22:10
My Score:

Arjen Anthony Lucassen has made a career of recording epic songs/albums with multiple guest stars. This is the third release under the Star One project which continues the sci-fi metal theme. If you like your music heavy and over the top, this is right up your alley. The musicianship is outstanding, and with such guest guitarists Michael Romeo, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Steve Vai, you’ll get your fill of great players. This 2 disc set features the same songs, but different vocalists appearing. It is interesting to hear the contrast between the songs and singers. I admit that I get a kick out of hearing all the various contributions, but for my personal taste it’s a tad too dramatic, and one might say it takes itself a bit seriously. Is there a cheese factor? Yes, but fans of Lucassen’s work will certainly eat this up, and if one of your favorite players is guesting, it might be enough reason for you to give this a go.


» Reader Comments:

Star One: Revel in Time
Posted by Paul Pelletier on 2022-05-12 16:39:59
My Score:

I first heard Arjen's work when I bought The Universal Migrator Parts 1+2 back when they were originally released, and have been a junkie for his stuff ever since. I tend to enjoy his "colder" sci-fi tinged work best ( The Dream Sequencer, 01011001, The Source, the Star One albums...), so I was a bit let down when I bought and listened to Transitus. I got over that quickly when I saw he was doing another Star One, and Revel In Time is just what I wanted...heavy riffs, great hooks, amazing vocal performances and all around great song writing. I think my faves are 28 Days, The Year of '41, Beyond The Edge of it All and Lost Children of the Universe. A great release from Arjen, again. My only quibble....as terrific as the vocalists are here, I think I would have liked it even more if Arjen stuck to his formula from the first two Star One releases and have just the four singers (Russ, Damian, Floor and Dan) perform all of the songs. Just a nitpick. Great stuff!




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