This cd is officially called "Space Metal" by Arjen Anthony Lucassen's STAR ONE and is therefore nothing less than a new record from our countryman, fairly well known as "AYREON". "Space Metal" however, is a far more consistent 'heavy metal' album, compared to the 'average' more varied Ayreon-records.
Again, Arjen has managed to come up with something special: a beautiful 2-cd digipack (at least the first pressing) with nice art-work. Even listening to the album for the first time, my hunch this might be a high-class album, was proven to be correct. One might say it's not a purely original album but Arjen never denied his respect and admiration for fellow musicians and bands like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen and Keith Emerson. Being influenced by such celebrities is no surprise at all. The lead-vocalists are Damian Wilson, Russell "SYMPHONY X" Allen and Dan "NIGHTINGALE" Swanö and additional vocals by Arjen himself, Floor "AFTER FOREVER" Jansen and Robert Soeterboek.
Ed Warby plays drums just as on Ayreon-albums,
Erik Norlander provides impressive sounds from his analogue synths while Arjen himself plays guitars, basses and keyboards, amongst others a genuine Hammond-organ!
The second cd features the extraordinary and unique guest-appearance by Dave Brock ("HAWKWIND") who provides the vocals on a 'Hawkwind-medley' from songs especially selected and arranged by Arjen.
Space Metal opens with a symphonic piece "Lift Off ", an overture played by synth and is followed by the crushing track "Set Your Controls" with beautiful harpsichord-sounds and an absolutely phenomenal synth-solo by STRATOVARIUS' keyboardist Jens Johansson. Third track "High Moon" opens with a synthesizer-melody, then the 'Hammond' joins in and we hear a mid-tempo piece in the best DP-tradition. A pumping bass, spacey vocals and the from Ayreon well known tasteful harmonies and choirs (nicely done Floor!) on "Songs Of The Ocean", transcends into "Master Of Darkness", a bombastic heavy song with a matchless duet between Jens Johansson and SHADOW GALLERY's Gary Wehrkamp on guitar. "The Eye Of Ra" begins with some chords on the organ and a floating synth-melody, followed by dark and soothing vocals but alternated by heavy bombastic parts (do I hear a touch of Zeppelin's Kashmir?), ending in choir-singing without instrumentation. "Sandrider" and "Perfect Survivor" also are catchy heavy songs but full of tasteful interludes and variations, not in the least because of the participation of the different vocalists. With "Intergalactic Space Crusaders" I think I recognize a bit from "Knocking At Your Backdoor" by DP, but Arjen's Hammond-playing and the powerful vocal duet between Allen and Wilson are definitely proof of the facts we're living in another era! Last track of the first cd is called "Starchild", a more quiet song, again with great singing by Russell Allen and just before the end a turbulent part with one more dazzling solo by Jens J.
The second cd opens with the afore mentioned "Hawkwind-medley" and with the contribution by Brock himself one just can't go wrong! In "Spaced Out" I detect some similarities with DP's "Smooth Dancer", in short, a delightful catchy rocking song with a great solo by Erik Norlander ("LANA LANE"). Again tasteful and impressive keyboards on "Inseperable Enemies" followed by a very original cover from David Bowie's "Space Oddity" in which Arjen plays all instruments + vocals.
In addition to this over 40 minutes bonus-cd, there are two remixes of "Starchild" and "Spaced Out" and finally a hidden track by Arjen (acoustic guitar and vocals) about the 'shit 'n' pee' problems astronauts have when they're in outer space.
In conclusion one can say this both melodic and symphonic metal record might appeal to both lovers of more powerful symphonic rock as also to lovers of melodic heavy metal-music. Thanks to the fine production and the exquisite contributions by all lead-vocalists (Floor Jansen included!) this album deserves the special nomination "VETTE KRENT" in our magazine.
