31.
AYREON
01011001Progressive Rock / Progressive Metal
released January 28th, 2008
via InsideOut Music
DISC 1 – Y
1. Age of Shadows [10:47]
2. Comatose [4:26]
3. Liquid Eternity [8:10]
4. Connect the Dots [4:13]
5. Beneath the Waves [8:26]
6. Newborn Race [7:49]
7. Ride the Comet [3:29]
8. Web of Lies [2:50]
DISC 2 – EARTH
9. The Fifth Extinction [10:29]
10. Waking Dreams [6:31]
11. The Truth Is In Here [5:12]
12. Unnatural Selection [7:15]
13. River of Time [4:24]
14. E=MC2 [5:50]
15. The Sixth Extinction [12:18]
01011001 is
Arjen Anthony Lucassen
(Guitars / Bass / Mandolin / Keyboards / Synthesizer / Organ / Backing vocals)
Ed Warby (Drums / Percussion)
FEATURING
Bob Catley (Vocals on 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15)
Tom Englund (Vocals on 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 15)
Anneke van Giersbergen (Vocals on 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 15)
Daniel Gildenlöw (Vocals on 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 15)
Liselotte Hegt (Vocals on 15)
Floor Jansen (Vocals on 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 15)
Hansi Kürsch (Vocals on 1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15)
Jørn Lande (Vocals on 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 15)
Steve Lee R.I.P. 2010 (Vocals on 1, 5, 9, 12, 15)
Magali Luyten (Vocals on 3, 7, 15)
Jonas Renkse (Vocals on 1, 10, 12, 15)
Simone Simons (Vocals on 8, 15)
Ty Tabor (Vocals on 4)
Marjan Welman (Vocals on 15)
Wudstik (Vocals on 14, 15)
Phideaux Xavier (Vocals on 8, 15)
WITH
Tomas Bodin (Synthesizer solo on 10)
Joost van den Broek (Synthesizer solo on 15 / Piano on 15)
David Faber (Cello)
Jeroen Goossens (Flute on 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13 / Recorder on 11 / Tin whistle on 13)
Lori Linstruth (Guitar solo on 6)
Ben Mathot (Violin)
Michael Romeo (Guitar solo on 14)
Derek Sherinian (Synthesizer solo on 9)
That is one monstrous guest roster. I got this album right after it came out due to reading hype about Ayreon online, and it was the first time I ever heard Tom Englund, Anneke van Giersbergen, Floor Jansen, Daniel Gildenlöw, Steve Lee, and Jonas Renkse, as well as the smaller names on the list. Bob Catley, Ty Tabor, Hansi, Jørn, and Simone were the only names I was familiar with, and Hansi and Jorn were the biggest reasons I bought the album in the first place, being highly skeptical of and unfamiliar with prog metal at the time.
Ayreon is all about double-disc conceptual scifi prog rock/metal albums. Wikipedia summarizes 01011001 as follows:
“Through technological advancement, 'Forever', a race of aquatic beings living on Planet Y, has found the secret of longevity. They have advanced to the point that they have become completely dependent on machines and are losing their emotions. A passing comet on a collision course with Planet Earth provides the opportunity to revitalize their race; 'Forever' harness the comet to carry their DNA to a new home on Earth. When the comet and Earth collide, the cataclysmic impact exterminates the dinosaurs (the Fifth Extinction), but from the ashes of destruction, humans arise. At first, the experiment with seeded DNA seems successful: through the humans 'Forever' vicariously relive the emotions they experienced before the age of machines. In order to help mankind overcome their physical ailments and mental limitations, 'Forever' speeds up human evolution. But the result is tragic: people develop a similar technological dependency with their emotions waning just like 'Forever' and moral development not keeping pace with their capacity to invent. 'Forever' must find a way to save mankind from its imminent self-destruction… or should they?”
This is the only Ayreon album I can listen to every track on, in a row, without getting bored or skipping tracks. “Connect the Dots” is a fine song and I never understood why it was slammed after this record was released – it’s not as if the album is lacking in lengthy or proggy metal and rock. “Web of Lies” is easily the lowest point of the album and in my opinion the only arguably disappointing track, but thematically it fits and I get why it’s there. It’s really not that bad, but the whole premise is just a little embarrassing.
The vocal guest roster is my favorite of any Ayreon album, and I think every single vocal melody is wonderful here. Every vocalist is distinct, with their own unique talents and deliveries, and they really help make this record so enjoyable for me. Hansi and Jorn especially have some of my favorite moments. Even Daniel Gildenöw and Tom Englund, whose respective bands I just do not like, sound wonderful. The late Steve Lee sounds phenomenal, and this album also has my favorite Anneke melodies out there.
If I had to choose a favorite, I prefer disc 1 to disc 2, but disc 2 has two incredible epics and a sick groovy rocker in “The Truth Is In Here,” so it’s pretty close. I’m deeply fond of “Comatose” for the dark keyboards and electronic drum beat and a lovely duet between Anneke and Jørn. A shorter and more minimalist track on the album but one of my favorites for sure.
Jonas Renkse also has a lot of my favorite vocal lines on the album. His bleak delivery adds such a melancholy vibe to this album and it brings out a lot of the darkness in the story. This album helped introduce me to Katatonia.
In Summary: Arjen is a talented guy, and I love the concept behind his Ayreon universe and how he goes all-in with every album. But this album has just about everything I like and nothing I dislike. Amazing guest vocalist roster, and each of them is used wonderfully. Powerful, unique riffs and beautiful folky moments with the woodwinds and acoustic guitars. Interesting sonic textures that arise from multiple combinations of unique voices. 10+ minute epics with ensemble casts and a massive overarching story. It’s prog as fuck and totally awesome. Way better than The Human Equation and neither of the newer albums come anywhere close to this one in my opinion.
Katt’s Favorites: Age of Shadows,
Comatose,
Newborn Race,
The Fifth Extinction,
The Truth Is In Here,
The Sixth ExtinctionListen to "01011001" by Ayreon on Spotify