Star One, Arjen Anthony Lucassen's,: Space Metal

Fans of Arjen Anthony Lucassen – best known as the one-man progressive-rock band Ayreon – can be forgiven if they hesitate before spinning Star One, the latest project from the Dutch multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. After all, Lucassen's ambient Ambeon side project last year rarely rocked. But Star One's debut, Space Metal, blasts out of your speakers with a full-on metal assault unlike anything the man has created before. More than a year in the making, Space Metal features an impressive roster of vocalists and musicians – some who've appeared on previous Ayreon albums – performing songs based on science fiction films. (Figuring out which films, however, isn't always easy.) The result is an ambitious and symphonic powerhouse of a disc that doesn't require a predilection for sci-fi and sees Lucassen branching off in new musical directions.

Nowhere is that more evident than on "Master of Darkness," which finds Lucassen flirting with speed metal, and "Songs of the Ocean," a funky track with a deep groove. Other highlights include "Perfect Survivor," which slams with a smart rhythm section and diverse vocal performances, and "Set Your Controls," a rousing power-metal anthem. Other tracks – "The Eye of Ra," "High Moon" and "Intergalactic Space Crusaders" – recall material that appeared on Ayreon's six albums. Throughout Space Metal, Star One's master navigator never loses sight of his melodies or his musical direction.

Lucassen plays the majority of music here (guitars, bass, Hammond, Mellotron, analog synths and strings), but he's backed on specific tracks by synth men Erik Norlander (Lana Lane) and Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), guitarist Gary Wehrkemp (Shadow Gallery) and drummer Ed Warby (Ayreon). Singers – whose voices are easily discernible from each other – include Dan Swano (Nightingale), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Damian Wilson (ex-Threshold), Floor Jansen (After Forever) and Robert Soeterboek (Ayreon). Each singer turns in memorable performances that showcase his or her strengths, culminating in closing track "Starchild," hauntingly sung by Wilson, Soeterboek and Jansen, whose heavenly vocals recall Lana Lane.

A special edition of Space Metal comes in a lush bound package with a magnificent book and a second CD with four tracks that feature Lucassen on all instruments and vocals – including a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and a nearly 10-minute Hawkwind medley – plus three other tracks. Once again, Lucassen has proven himself one of the progressive rock community's most innovative members.

Added: March 29th 2005
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Ayreon's Official Web Site
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Language: english

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