THE HUMAN EQUATION

Unlike my other mates, I'm going to be brief. If you want a full review, go see them. It's not my type to write a novel. But to me, this is THE ultimate musical free-for-all masterpiece. It started with Tommy and 35 years later...you get a metal soap opera that pushes towards the limits of concept albums.

I'm not familiar with Ayreon's work in his intergalactic points of view. This is actually my first step in his incredible world. This is high-tech fantasy tales. It's a real revelation for me. Think of it: you jump from metal mashing to Riverdance to Focus to more metal to heavier stuff. Indeed, the metal parts are more present, and some frightening growling from time to time. And speaking of growling, I'm totally against musical violence or stuff pretenting to be related to the Prince of Darkness; so growling is ruining some of the fun for me. But since it's in very little quantity, I guess it's there only to improve the story's intensity. Some pretty intense screaming is also present and it could make you, soft hearted as I am, uncomfortable. But once again, it doesn't last long and do not ruin the album. I mean this type of heavy power screaming is present in nu-rock in a reasonnable quantity. I guess this is 'the flavor of the month'!

I cannot believe this guy doesn't quit the ungrateful world of progressive rock and join the lucrative army of nu-metal. He could fit right away with Linkin Park, Puddle of Mud, System of a Down, Evanescence, Limb Bizkit, Seether or Incubus. The format is different, but if kids could expand their minds a bit...they would jump on this so bad. Because admit it, with a bit of tweaking here and there, many songs here could become radio hits and even a number one. I'm not kidding, a bit of mixing and BOOM! big bucks and a bigger name for Ayreon.

This is by far the most somptuous, extravagant, intelligent, diversified, catchy, addictive prog opera around.

Close to being unreal. It boggles my mind with curiosity, amazement and charm. My deepest salutes to Arjen Lucassen and crew.

The ULTIMATE high-tech amusement of 2004.