Human Equation, The (+DVD/Special Edition) - Ayreon

Advantages: A great modern metal opera.
Disadvantages: The concept and lyrics themselves are far from riveting.

...to the more fantastical side of metal. His voice reminds me most of Khan from American regal metal band Kamelot, though restricted to the middle range, and on the whole the album tends to vary between Ayreon's self-style space metal (particularly the brilliant 'Into the Electric Castle' and 'The Human Equation' albums, though without the ensemble chorus) and the freeform instrumental side of Dream Theater around the 'Metropolis' era, though Kuntz's voice is far superior to the often piercing James LaBrie. The sound varies between softer rock and harder metal, the latter mainly expressed through simplistic down-tuned riffs, and made for one of the most enjoyable listening experiences I've had in a while, even if the vomit-inducing lyrics prevented me from ever being fully absorbed into Kuntz's neverworld. 1. The Inhabitants of His Diary 2. You... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Inventive mix of styles, great use of multiple vocalists.
Disadvantages: Overlong, borderline masturbatory instrumental passages.

...' certainly isn't an album for everybody, requiring a certain degree of open-mindedness to appreciate, and either a sense of irony or failing that, an appreciation for cheesy fantastical storylines to really get into. Regardless of the lyrics, the music is an accomplished and effective blend of genres in a way that's never really been attempted before within progressive metal, adopting a 1970s attitude with the benefit of modern technology and musical styles. Arguably Ayreon's finest album, this is less strictly 'metal' than 'The Final Experiment,' 'Flight of the Migrator' and 'The Human Equation,' but more hard-edged than the largely ambient 'The Dream Sequencer' and the disappointing 'Actual Fantasy.' Of these, 'The Human Equation' most closely follows the style established here, with more effective overall results and some better singers... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Innovative Australian prog metal.
Disadvantages: Disappointingly repetitive and American.

...of cataclysm against a backdrop that others have aptly described as the emptiness, desolation and beauty of the Australian outback. There's even a didgeridoo in the first song, just to keep up appearances, but I wouldn't go classing this as Rolf Metal just yet. Incorporating synthesisers into their sound adds a certain epic elements to these compositions, something that is aided by the other instruments in the more relevant songs dealing with humanity's self-destructive tendencies, particularly the 'Evolution Trilogy' of tracks two to four. The Alchemist sound is distinctive and easily recognisable, with Adam Agius and Roy Torkington's guitars taking on a distinctly Middle Eastern flavour in many of their lead passages that only rarely veer into clichéd Egyptian territory, and Rodney Holder's excellent drums that incorporate tribal rhythms... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful