Ayreon - The Human Equation
If you're looking for an album that has everything, then Ayreon's The Human Equation may be as close as you get. I sat there with my mouth gaping open in stunned silence for a few seconds after my first listen and then burst out laughing. Somehow it all fits perfectly.

The human equation is the most complex and varied album Ayreon has created yet and it has slowly become my favorite. A mix of Progressive Rock and Metal with that special spice that is Ayreon makes for a style that is instantly recogniseable. It combines the best from past works like Into the Electric Castle and the Migrator albums, while evolving in new fascinating directions. Seemingly boundless with emotion and details the album always remains focused and keeps the listeners full attention for the entire running time of 1 hour and 41 minutes. As hard as it is to make a justified review of this album I can only imagine the amount of work that went into creating it. It is indeed a full body of work.

The album travels an intricate path through 20 days in the mind of what appears to be a hospitalized car crash victim, who has had a pretty tough life. With his wife and best friend by his bed he relives the events that have shaped him and eventually led to his downfall. With eleven different singers, many of whom are among my very favorites (Eric Clayton, Devon Graves, James LaBrie, Mikael Åkerfeldt & Mike Baker) my expectations were naturally extremely high and I would have never thought them possible to meet. Almost every voice symbolises a specific emotion and I can not imagine the choice of vocalists being any different. I'm really wooh'ed by the vocal talent that is on display here and each of them use their gift to make this album work, I mean really work. What is always cool about these multi singer albums is the fact that you discover new artists you would not have heard of otherwise and whose bands you suddenly just have to hear after this.

Like another concept masterpiece The Human equation opens with the sounds of a busy hospital ward.

The only singer I have never heard of before is Marcela Bovio from the Mexican band Elfonia. She sings the Wife part in a voice that goes straight to the heart. Her voice is beautiful, rich and full, like it is floating upon a cloud of feathers. One of my favorite performances on the album and a very nice surprise. Just listen to her fantastic passage in Day 13: Sign right after Heather Findlay or the one chilling line in Day 20: Confrontation, "Come to me my love". Amazing voice. Speaking of Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn), her voice has a really special soothing quality and she fits the part of Love perfectly. She manages to be both teasing, sincere and alluring in her performance and embellishes the album greatly.

Day 3: Pain is one of my favorite songs. Devin Townsend as Rage rears his head for the first time here and his moments on this album are pure genius. He gives the songs he participates in a unique feel. Like in Day 8: School where his agressive part blows the atmosphere wide open or Day 16: Loser (the second single) where his relentless vocals unleash just the right kind of emotion, improving impact with each listen. My first thought was "What just happened there?"

Through Psychotic Waltz, his Buddy Lackey solo album and now in Dead Soul Tribe, Devon Graves has proved to be one of the most unique singers/artists I have heard. When he opens a song a special mood is set right from the start. As in Day 3: Pain where he gives the whole song a haunting atmosphere of suffering, that is a perfect fit for his symbolized emotion, Agony. His opening lines in Day 6: Childhood never cease to chill me and it is interesting how well Devon and James LaBrie's vocals fit together in this song.

James Labrie (Dream Theater) has the role of the main character and is in nearly every song. Well, I'm not complaining... As the main character evolves through the story so does LaBrie's performance and he captures the feelings of the main character very well. His vocals must also have been the hardest to get right. Mostly singing in a warm and emotional voice, the effect is that much more poweful when he lets go in songs like Day 4: Mystery & the finale Day 20: Confrontation.

As the voice of Reason Eric Clayton (Saviour Machine) is the perfect choice. His voice stands out and gives the music a majestic touch whenever he sings a line. From his first words in Day 2: Isolation to his final utterance in Day 20: Confrontation he is essential to the overall feel and foundation of the album.

The man himself, Arjen Lucassen sings the voice of Best Friend and does a good job, but compared to the other singers he is the only slightly anonymous voice on the album. It doesn't bring the album down, but another singer might have made it even better. As explained on the DVD this was just not possible as the other choices fell through one by one. In songs like Day 7: Hope and Day 10: Memories he works great and the songs give room for his personality to show, but in a song like Day 4: Mystery I would have liked some more vocal equilibrium while harmosing with Marcela Bovio. She kind of trounces Arjen here. But in all fairness he does make a great return in Day 13: Sign where the harmonies really work great.

Magnus Ekwall (The Quill) has power in his voice and sings with eh... Pride. At one point I thought he was the other slightly anonymous voice, but after more listens I feel he does a great job and reflects Pride with an air of unhesitating firmness. One example is in Day 12: Trauma where his small part adds a lot to the song.

Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) mostly sings in his clean voice which has a soft warm tone and lots of emotion. I love his opening part in Day 15: Betrayal which sets the mood perfectly. On a few occasions he goes deep and when this happens it adds a layer of danger to the music, giving the album another dimension.

I have always thought that Irene Jansen (Karma) was a fantastic singer. Here she proves it again, singing the voice of passion with confidence and power. Just listen to the chorus of Day 12: Trauma or Day 11: Love.

Mike Baker sings only one song, Day 16: Loser but does a most excellent job. The catchy folkish melody and Mike's arrogant vocals are the perfect build up for the raging explosion the ends the song.

Ok, enough words on the singers for now. Musically the album is a feast too. Rythm and groove are keywords and with Ed Warby on the drums and Arjen Lucassen handling all guitars, bass and keyboards a very tight but and kind of relaxed mood is always present. The music takes the time it needs to get the message across and while there aren't many show-off passages there is a huge amount of detail in the instruments that will show themselves on repeated listens. Arjen has managed to mix every style from his past works into this album and the result is something that is greater than the sum of its parts. The album is perfectly produced with every instrument being clearly audible and giving off a very warm comfortable sound. Adding something essential to the atmosphere are various guest musicians who play violins, cellos, flutes and even my old aussie favorite, the didgeridoo.

The cover artwork by Jef Bertels is mysterious and beautiful as is the inside of the booklet, done by Mattias Norén. Top marks on the packaging.

I can go on forever about all the great things on the album. Like the fun melody of Day 7: Hope, the breathtaking atmosphere of Day 15: Betrayal, the inspired keyboard solo by Joost Van den Broek in Day 2: Isolation, Ken Hensley's wild hammond solo in Day 16: Loser, the mysterious and unique feeling that pervades Day 17: Accident or the beautiful opening to Day 13: Sign which brings back memories of Into the Electric Castle.

The DVD that came with my limited edition is an excellent addition to an already high quality package. The 45 minute documentary on the making of the album covers a lot of ground and while I had heard some of the comments before it was great to see shots in the studio with each singer. Don't be too hasty with the remote in the Concept section or you'll miss the funny outtakes. The story behind Ayreon, a feature on Ed Warby and the video for "Day 11: Love" are also among the cool extras.

Nearing the end I will just reflect on a few songs and leave you with the words that The Human Equation is an album that will stay with you for a long long time. It doesn't open up completely right away but with time it delivers an experience that is bound to make you feel something, in one way or the other. A classic to be? I am not in doubt.

I really love the use of the flute in Day 18: Realization. A great part of this song is a well executed and very atmospheric instrumental piece reflecting inner turmoil, before the ending part where Reason, Pride, Passion, Love, Agony & Fear clash and the main character comes to a conclusion.

In Day 20: Confrontation everything culminates in a song that gets heavier and heavier until it explodes in double bass drums, crunching guitar and every voice adding another layer to the mayhem. Pure ecstasy.

So how does it all end spoiler boy? I don't know. It's a mystery...

Written by Steen
Monday, July 5, 2004
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Ratings

Steen: 9/10

Members: 9/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Mandelmanden (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 6, 2004
A must have if you're into the weirder kinds of music around... To me it feels like progressive metal meets Nick Cave.


Comment by Morten (Anonymous) - Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Yeah THE is a great album. It's nice to hear that Mr Lucassen is going back to having more than one vocalists in each track.
I have'nt heared it enough to bump Into The Electric Castle of the top spot in the Ayreon/Arjan Anthoney Lucassen poll, but it's working it's way up there!!!
Enjoy.


Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Tuesday, July 6, 2004
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Comments: 245
Whew, fantastic review of a great album. I completely agree with the voice of "Love", she seems to embody all the various feelings that can come under the heading of that one word. Arjen really has outdone himself once again, this is a great album indeed.

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Tuesday, July 6, 2004

Comment by The Fat Friar (Anonymous) - Wednesday, July 7, 2004
I agree an incredible work of art from Arjen. Some parts are reminiscent of StarOne stuff he did...mostly the metal sections. Such a varied work but cohesive in all respects. My only beef is the voice of Eric Clayton who sings the part of Reason....that kinda of baritone opera singing is a drawback in my opinion but it doesn't stop me from loving the whole thing!
Excellent review Steen....about as long as the album itself haha!
A review completely befitting the album!


Comment by Mads Aanum (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 8, 2004
hey steen...
I can only agree with the rating, I was a little higherat first but 9/10 IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY... good work old man...


Comment by Anders (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 8, 2004
Sounds very interesting. Something tells me, that I have to check this album out ...


Comment by Evilkanevill (Anonymous) - Sunday, July 11, 2004
Ah, I just love the way Arjen hyped this album. I hope he just doesn't do it this much again, hypes often lowers the quality of the album. But, superb album, and well, we can say that Ayreon always will be Arjen. This guy's gonna be good as long as he does music. One thing I missed was a really long guitarsolo, the solos are mainly short, he should've given himself the time on one track. Allso I think he should try getting a bassist, just once.


Comment by Lexdark (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 15, 2004
geniaal !!!!
pure genius.


Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Friday, July 23, 2004
I think the review and the comments so far sums it up pretty well - Awesome album!

So many vocalist, so many emotions, so many styles - so incredibly perfect.

This is the first time I've had a chance to listen to any of Arjen's work, but I think it won't be the last :)

btw, VERY cool review, Steen!!!


Comment by Steen (Staff) - Sunday, July 25, 2004
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Comments: 518
Thanks for all the comments! This is definitely a contender for the Album of the year. Orphaned Land's Mabool still has the first place though. But it's a close race and I guess only time will tell...

Posted by Steen (Staff)
Sunday, July 25, 2004

Comment by Shumoni from Bangladesh (Anonymous) - Monday, July 26, 2004
hi steen,
thanks for the enlightinig review.
But on this part of the world, where do I find this album?



Comment by Steen (Staff) - Monday, July 26, 2004
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Comments: 518
If you have a credit card I would recommend you to buy it on the internet from The Laser's Edgeor another online vendor. If you don't have a credit card then send me an email and I'll help you get it.

Posted by Steen (Staff)
Monday, July 26, 2004

Comment by MegaTHERION (Anonymous) - Friday, December 3, 2004
I totally agree with the reviewer's review. This is my album of the YEAR. Every singers those a very good job, but I thought that Mikeal would sing with is growl than is clean voice, but is voice is sooo beautiful that i don't mind. every song is excellent. My fav songs is Day 2,6,8,10,12,16,20. I just love the way that day 20 finishes, good double-bass drumming. In the end, a very good album for any kind of listener.


Comment by Vex (Anonymous) - Sunday, December 19, 2004
10 that's what this album is!!!


Comment by Pat (Anonymous) - Friday, December 31, 2004
I agreed with you initially on the rating, but... this time around, I give it a 10, easily. It took longer to get into the second half of the album.











Review by Steen
None

Released by
SPV - 2004

Tracklisting
CD 1:
1. Day one: Vigil
2. Day two: Isolation
3. Day three: Pain
4. Day four: Mystery
5. Day five: Voices
6. Day six: childhood
7. Day seven: Hope
8. Day eight: School
9. Day nine: Playground
10. Day ten: Memories
11. Day eleven: Love

CD 2:
12. Day twelve: Trauma
13. Day thirteen: Sign
14. Day fourteen: Pride
15. Day fifteen: Betrayal
16. Day sixteen: Loser
17. Day seventeen: Accident?
18. Day eighteen: Realization
19. Day nineteen: Disclosure
20. Day twenty: Confrontation

DVD:
Behind the scenes feature (45:27)
Concept of The Human Equation
The story behind Ayreon
Ed Warby's drums
Video for Day 11: Love
Teaser trailer


Style
Progressive Metal

Related links
Star One - Live in Hamburg

Interview with Arjen Lucassen on the Star One tour

Visit the band page

Ayreon - Official Website

Other articles
Day Eleven: Love (Single) - (Steen)

Interview with Arjen Anthony Lucassen - (Hashman)

01011001 - (Steen)

Band Profile - (Steen)

01011001 - (Alanna)



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