UNIVERSAL MIGRATOR, PART 2: FLIGHT OF THE MIGRATOR

The second CD of "The Universal Migrator" continues the story of the last man alive on Mars as he decides to venture back further in time.

In an interview Arjen explains that he released the two albums separately at first because he thought that he would have fans that appealed to the "mellow side" and other fans that were more interested in his "metal side". Afterwards he admits that this was not the right choice because Ayreon's fans would buy both albums instantly. Therefore he decided to re-issue the album as a double album named "The Universal Migrator" on his new label Insideout. I am glad he did this because both albums are really worth it and it is the same concept that starts of at disc one and continues into disc two, even though the styles of both discs are very different.

"The Universal Migrator part II" continues the story of the last man alive on Mars as he decides to venture further back in time. He wants to go all the way back to the time right before the universe was created, a time when there was nothing but chaos. The Colonist witnesses the big bang and the creation of the first soul: The Universal Migrator. This soul divides in various new souls that each go in search of planets they can inhabit. This is how they bring life to various planets and start different civilizations.

In the Dream Sequencer program the Colonist follows the soul that is headed for earth. On his long journey through space, he passes astronomical manifestations such as quasars, pulsars, supernovas, black holes, and wormholes. He finally enters the solar system, but the DS program goes on overload. The Colonist should never have ventured that far back in time. The Dream Sequencer is desperately trying to wake the Colonist from his deep state of hypnoses, but it is too late; the Colonist dies in the machine. Then the Migrator speaks to him without words: "Eternity lies before you. You are the new Migrator!"

Personally I like the entire album because of the concept and I don't think it would do the album any good to review song by song. This album you have to put in your CD- player and play it from beginning to end without skipping, changing the volume or playing it "random". (I still wonder why manufacturers invented this horrible function, just like programming). But if I would have to mention my personal highlights they would probably be "Dawn Of A Million Souls" (vocals by Sir Russell Allen of Symphony X) and "Into The Black Hole". Especially Arjen's fine guitar riffs on "Into The Black Hole" will be stuck in your head for days after you have played this song.

The Universal Migrator part 2: Flight Of The Migrator: 4.5 stars

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