SPACE METAL (SPECIAL EDITION)

Yes indeed, as a conscentious mailman, Arjen delivers. He delivers music as easily as mail. And this record is a big brown box full of colorful explosives. A huge blend of mental fantasy, sci-fi movie addiction and...er...space metal. This is absolutely 'what you see is what you get': space metal, period.

On the same vein of Universal Migrator part 2, Space Metal is mostly nothing new. You heard it before on Migrator 2 and Human Equation. What's up then? The concept, of taking his passion for sci-fi movies (Star Wars, Stargate, Star Treck and other stars...) and melting it into a song that relates the story instead of copying catch phrases ('Luke, I'm your father...' and such), is kinda cool. In fact, this was the main attraction for me with the need of hearing more melodic goodies by the same crew of super talented no-names (Wilson, Russell...).

And again, you cannot argue with results: it's metal in a spacey atmosphere. But actually, Migrator 2 was also (if not equally) spacey. But, credit goes to Star One by being less pedal to the floor and taking a bit more time to breathe. Wheew, thank you lord.

The main reason for the record company to make you pay 50 bucks for this special edition is of course the extra cd containing 3 more songs about movies (Enemy Mine being one) and the famous Space Oddity reprise by the thin white duke: Ziggy Stardust. There's also some tracks remixed and one compatible with the digital dolby pro-logic system.

Last but not least is the absolutely crazy 'Intergalactic Laxative'. I read somewhere this is an actual song written by long time Beatles friend Donovan. It's a quite clever song about how astronauts 'go number 1 and 2'. It's actually the first song about cosmic constipation I heard (and probably the only one!). Lucassen performed it only with an acoustic guitar in an irresistible Monty Python way. A real fan will enjoy more of Ayreon's gunpowered songs that's desintegrating speakers in such an effective way. A nice bonus, but the price of the cd is a tad high considering the cheap booklet unworthy of Ayreon's reputation. On top of that, can someone explain me why there's some Russian writing on the back on my jewel case? Strange indeed!

I would start here for discovering Ayreon, due to the redundant style of the record (being metal) and a tendency to make it more accessible. I think this time more than usual, Ayreon made a concept to please himself first. But the results were so great that Ayreon made a live album after and a successful DVD praised by...well..everybody I met who watched it. I'd give a lot to see Ayreon prancing around in an aluminium replica space suit a la Ace Frehley...Boy, cheesy town here I come.

Despite the classic metal approach, Lucassen will treat your ears VERY nicely with memorable yet complex melodies. Highlights like High Moon, The Eye of Ra and Intergalactic Space Crusaders will rock your world for days by drilling the choruses right to your brain.

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