UNIVERSAL MIGRATOR, PART 2: FLIGHT OF THE MIGRATOR

Ayreon's music shares with wine one similarity: they get better when they've aged. Which means that, as time goes by, Ayreon's getting higher, more subtle and less pedal to the floor. He had many talent climax such as Electric Castle, Ambeon, Star One and mostly: Human Equation. Humaqn Equation was the pinnacle of his story telling, the best compositions including the power of Electric Castle and the soft folkish texture of Ambeon. A great blend of this and that.

When I listen to the Flight of the Migrator I immediately get the feeling that the best is to come for Ayreon. First, this record have just pure metal power and very few breaks. It's really big metal stuff. A big meaty meal, and a nightmare for vegetarians who likes quieter parts and more color into their plates. Just listening to Into the Black Hole gives you a good idea where he wants to be....INTO the damn thing! It's basically infernal, heavy, heavy material. But he embellished the whole thing with the ususal superior keyboard work with cool spacey effects and robotic voice. The Migrator device is a really cool idea, as the computer has a cool 'On Star' effect. And some credit has to be given to the constant high level quality in the vocal performance. Track 2, 3 and 5 are very well crafted, despite no real surprises and the catchy choruses are more than welcome. Am always glad to chant out loud: "What a show! Behold! At a Dawn of a Million Souls!" Wait 'till you hear it. Great stuff.

Overall, it's a record quite even. No major faults. Not much filling. But once again, the songs aren't gripping to your inner feelings or gut bruising like in Human Equation. The songs are well done, but few part from the herd. It's basically Ayreon: furious energy, incredible musicanship, crazy ideas but maybe too musically orgiac (read hairy metal Iron Maiden cliché) for many.

Defintely worthy of your attention. If you're looking for a single cd album to have a taste of the crazy sci-fi world of Ayreon, this could be a good choice.