I agree with you on every term except on Deathcry of a race, it's my favourite on the album. The album really lacked something epic and dark and progressive like The Sixth Extinction
I agree with plot holes but honestly if we forget that, deathcry of a race is simply one of the best songs on the album, and I see I'm not the only one to see it that way. vocals are great, voice acting (president feels terrible but tries to make something in exchange for his mistakes, opposition leader angry and sad but determined to never make it happen again) also plays a huge role and I love the tone and composition of the track (I was sceptical of the aria but it grew inside of me over time and now I cannot imagine this song without it). Overall legit review, you pointed out some of the most important problems and positive stuff from the album and I'd give it 8.5/10. not that far from you about this one ;)
This is easily my favorite album of this year so far and my second favorite Ayreon album right after "The Human Equation". "The Human Equation" is one of my favorite albums of all time and "The Source" was really really close to being on par with it.
Finally! (well, you kinda had to listen to the album a few times, so who am I to demand a faster review?) Your point of Human EQ and Theory connecting more with human drama made me realize why I forgive the super cheesy lyrics on Theory, and rate it as my 2nd favourite album ever. Both the Teacher, Father, Mother & Prodigy had parts reflecting this, while The Source, Actual Fantasy and Universal Migrator pt 1 & 2 are probably the albums with the least of these moments (if any at all). Even ITEC had it with the Egyptian, Indian & Highlander dying, Human EQ had a TON of it, and 01 screamed "desperation" all over the album. Still the Source is one of my 3 favourite Ayreon albums.. the damn music is so good, and Karevik, Mills, Kursch & Sammet raised the bar!
The source is my favourite Ayreon album musically, but you're completely correct about the story not being as fleshed out as The Human Equation (Memories is my favourite song from that album lyrically) or the earlier albums. I still enjoy the lyrics to all of the The Source songs, just not as a conceptual story where every song is tied together
As an Ayreon fan and musician, I have to agree with the tings you say about the music. I don't usually listen very much to texts or try to get the deeper meaning, but I guess I should. I'll give it a read.
don't forget the terrifying screams in the song Sea of Machines. that was a terrifying part, and one of me favorite part of the song. the whole song actually represents the what the Prophet sees in the future. Ayreon the Source is my favorite metal album ever.i can tell you more of how i love this album if you like and comment.
Only spun this once so far but I really agree with the story. It feels like... why does this story need to be told? It doesn't feel like a complete story. Which it isn't. And the album felt really frontloaded as well. Will see how I feel when I've given it more listens though, who knows.
Do you know The Common Linnets? Well their first album at least. Then a member left and now I'm not a fan. But just wonder what you think of that album
I agree almost completely (I feel that Simone and Floor kinda blended into each other too much, and sometimes I couldn't really tell who was who at times. I also feel that Mills was more of the powerhouse as apposed to Tommy.) it was fantastic musically, but the characters and the plot felt that they went a step backwards (When compared to Theory) it feels like there could have been MORE done with the plot and characters, and I'm curious as to what happened in production.
Personally, I think this is a 9/10. The plot problems are definitely there but I feel as though the composition and the absurdly large amount of vocal titans on this album help me to be able to brush past that to a strong degree. They definitely could have spent more time on fleshing out characters and making them more identifiable, but as far as the music is concerned, it's kickass and I love it. Good video as always, go get this album people, it's worth it!
krisdaschwab912 the human equation was great but the only nitpick was how the father character felt like a bit of a caricature at times. Which made sense because it was supposed to be a program representing human emotion in its strongest forms, but still didn't quite sit with me
Ayreon is one of those bands that should entirely be up my alley, yet somehow I can't get into. I'm a big Progressive Rock/Metal fan and enjoy Power Metal a good deal, a lot of the guesets are from bands really like and I can admit the music is well made. I don't know why, I have tried on multiple occasions with multiple albums, but it just doesn't work for me.
I know exactly what you're talking about and felt the same for years after a friend of mine recommended some of his albums to me. However with The Source it finally clicked for me. I'm still not a big fan of the Universal Migrator album though. But hey, there's no shame in admitting that something isn't for you even though you recognize it's well made. I feel that way with the Beatles for example, a band loved by many who did a lot to advance modern music, but that I just can't get into.
Yeah, I think I have to agree. The story and the lack of drama is the stumbling block of the album. As for the arabic part, I think Arjen ran into Myrath a bit before starting to write the album and realized how good the arabic language and oriental melodies sounds in progressive power metal (because it does) and he just had to use Zaher Zorgati in some role. What bothered me the most about that was that the character "the Preacher" doesn't seem to have any real role in the story, he's just a guy who pops up a couple of times to sing in arabic. Musically it's a decent album, though, especially if you like your Ayreon heavy.
Arjen said in an interview that Myrath's vocalist was very busy at that time and he couldn't answer to Arjen messages in time, so his role had to be reduced. He also said he's very fond of oriental scales in music since the 70s with Kashmir
personally 01011001 is my favorite. this one lacks something, maybe more character development, or just a final epic song like the Sixth Extinction to close the album. More conflict between the Oposition leader and the President could solve the problem with the plot. Such a pitty because the music is awesome
Agree that arjen has made better albums. but the song 'deathcry of a race' was one of the better tracks, especially the arabic and the opera vocal parts
I guess it's all about preference. I didn't like "theory of everything" as much as I wanted to. ... too much dialog based singing made it feel awkward. Also it was too hard to separate the songs from each other, thus creating few memorable moments (if I cant remember a melody or hook, it just wont grow on me). It took me several years to appreciate "Human equation", found it rather boring, only the theater edition made me finally get into it.This album, on the other hand, is an instant classic. Besides some minor hiccups here and there I find it overall fantastic.
But Deathcry of a Race has Tobias Sammnet and Floor Jansen harmonizing! But anyway, I pretty much agree with your review, except you seem a little more disappointed then I was. The story felt very much just Point A to Point B, not much really happened. I feel like we did get some character insights and some strong emotions here and there, but I guess I wanted a little more.
Personally, I consider Theory of Everything one of Ayreon's weakest, and think this album blows it away. I don't rate this one as high as Human Equation, and I'd have a hard time saying it tops Electric Castle, but I don't think any others beat it.
Why are talking about mechanical drums??? There are only real drums are the album no drum machines the whole comment is an insult to Ed Warby this is worst review of the this album I have seen so far
I love the album but I laughed out loud when he said he couldn't use his phone. really cheesy.
Worst song: Deathcry Of A Race???? Are you f*ckin kidding me???
Top 3 song of the album...
I agree with you on every term except on Deathcry of a race, it's my favourite on the album. The album really lacked something epic and dark and progressive like The Sixth Extinction
I agree with plot holes but honestly if we forget that, deathcry of a race is simply one of the best songs on the album, and I see I'm not the only one to see it that way. vocals are great, voice acting (president feels terrible but tries to make something in exchange for his mistakes, opposition leader angry and sad but determined to never make it happen again) also plays a huge role and I love the tone and composition of the track (I was sceptical of the aria but it grew inside of me over time and now I cannot imagine this song without it). Overall legit review, you pointed out some of the most important problems and positive stuff from the album and I'd give it 8.5/10. not that far from you about this one ;)
This is easily my favorite album of this year so far and my second favorite Ayreon album right after "The Human Equation". "The Human Equation" is one of my favorite albums of all time and "The Source" was really really close to being on par with it.
Finally! (well, you kinda had to listen to the album a few times, so who am I to demand a faster review?)
Your point of Human EQ and Theory connecting more with human drama made me realize why I forgive the super cheesy lyrics on Theory, and rate it as my 2nd favourite album ever. Both the Teacher, Father, Mother & Prodigy had parts reflecting this, while The Source, Actual Fantasy and Universal Migrator pt 1 & 2 are probably the albums with the least of these moments (if any at all). Even ITEC had it with the Egyptian, Indian & Highlander dying, Human EQ had a TON of it, and 01 screamed "desperation" all over the album.
Still the Source is one of my 3 favourite Ayreon albums.. the damn music is so good, and Karevik, Mills, Kursch & Sammet raised the bar!
Knew it
knew it
knew the review was coming
I must say that I agree :)
My favorites Ayreon stuff : The theory of everything & The theatre equation
The source is my favourite Ayreon album musically, but you're completely correct about the story not being as fleshed out as The Human Equation (Memories is my favourite song from that album lyrically) or the earlier albums. I still enjoy the lyrics to all of the The Source songs, just not as a conceptual story where every song is tied together
As an Ayreon fan and musician, I have to agree with the tings you say about the music. I don't usually listen very much to texts or try to get the deeper meaning, but I guess I should. I'll give it a read.
Your reservations about the story are exactly my thoughts. The music's all great, but there's just no emotional investment in any of it.
don't forget the terrifying screams in the song Sea of Machines. that was a terrifying part, and one of me favorite part of the song. the whole song actually represents the what the Prophet sees in the future. Ayreon the Source is my favorite metal album ever.i can tell you more of how i love this album if you like and comment.
Only spun this once so far but I really agree with the story. It feels like... why does this story need to be told? It doesn't feel like a complete story. Which it isn't. And the album felt really frontloaded as well. Will see how I feel when I've given it more listens though, who knows.
Do you know The Common Linnets? Well their first album at least. Then a member left and now I'm not a fan. But just wonder what you think of that album
I agree almost completely (I feel that Simone and Floor kinda blended into each other too much, and sometimes I couldn't really tell who was who at times. I also feel that Mills was more of the powerhouse as apposed to Tommy.) it was fantastic musically, but the characters and the plot felt that they went a step backwards (When compared to Theory) it feels like there could have been MORE done with the plot and characters, and I'm curious as to what happened in production.
Personally, I think this is a 9/10. The plot problems are definitely there but I feel as though the composition and the absurdly large amount of vocal titans on this album help me to be able to brush past that to a strong degree. They definitely could have spent more time on fleshing out characters and making them more identifiable, but as far as the music is concerned, it's kickass and I love it. Good video as always, go get this album people, it's worth it!
Is "The Human Equation" the 10/10?
I would've given that to 0101101
I would personally give that 10/10 to human equation
I'd go with THE or his 2009 album Guilt Machine.
krisdaschwab912 the human equation was great but the only nitpick was how the father character felt like a bit of a caricature at times. Which made sense because it was supposed to be a program representing human emotion in its strongest forms, but still didn't quite sit with me
krisdaschwab912 I forgot about guilt machine, it was a great melancholic album. I wouldn't mind Arjen doing another one like that.
Ayreon is one of those bands that should entirely be up my alley, yet somehow I can't get into. I'm a big Progressive Rock/Metal fan and enjoy Power Metal a good deal, a lot of the guesets are from bands really like and I can admit the music is well made. I don't know why, I have tried on multiple occasions with multiple albums, but it just doesn't work for me.
I know exactly what you're talking about and felt the same for years after a friend of mine recommended some of his albums to me. However with The Source it finally clicked for me. I'm still not a big fan of the Universal Migrator album though.
But hey, there's no shame in admitting that something isn't for you even though you recognize it's well made. I feel that way with the Beatles for example, a band loved by many who did a lot to advance modern music, but that I just can't get into.
Yeah, I think I have to agree. The story and the lack of drama is the stumbling block of the album. As for the arabic part, I think Arjen ran into Myrath a bit before starting to write the album and realized how good the arabic language and oriental melodies sounds in progressive power metal (because it does) and he just had to use Zaher Zorgati in some role. What bothered me the most about that was that the character "the Preacher" doesn't seem to have any real role in the story, he's just a guy who pops up a couple of times to sing in arabic. Musically it's a decent album, though, especially if you like your Ayreon heavy.
Arjen said in an interview that Myrath's vocalist was very busy at that time and he couldn't answer to Arjen messages in time, so his role had to be reduced.
He also said he's very fond of oriental scales in music since the 70s with Kashmir
personally 01011001 is my favorite. this one lacks something, maybe more character development, or just a final epic song like the Sixth Extinction to close the album. More conflict between the Oposition leader and the President could solve the problem with the plot. Such a pitty because the music is awesome
Sharfad talking about sixth extinction, I loved that little reference to it "the circle is not yet complete"
Agree that arjen has made better albums. but the song 'deathcry of a race' was one of the better tracks, especially the arabic and the opera vocal parts
great review😊❤
I guess it's all about preference.
I didn't like "theory of everything" as much as I wanted to. ... too much dialog based singing made it feel awkward. Also it was too hard to separate the songs from each other, thus creating few memorable moments (if I cant remember a melody or hook, it just wont grow on me). It took me several years to appreciate "Human equation", found it rather boring, only the theater edition made me finally get into it.This album, on the other hand, is an instant classic. Besides some minor hiccups here and there I find it overall fantastic.
Album of the year, but this is a tough review to watch. Please sit on your hands.
But Deathcry of a Race has Tobias Sammnet and Floor Jansen harmonizing!
But anyway, I pretty much agree with your review, except you seem a little more disappointed then I was. The story felt very much just Point A to Point B, not much really happened. I feel like we did get some character insights and some strong emotions here and there, but I guess I wanted a little more.
Arjen Anthony Lucassen NOT Van Lucassen
Everybody by Logic?
Personally, I consider Theory of Everything one of Ayreon's weakest, and think this album blows it away. I don't rate this one as high as Human Equation, and I'd have a hard time saying it tops Electric Castle, but I don't think any others beat it.
9/10
Who is Arjen van Lucassen? haha
Good review. 8/10 is about right for me.
*anthony
Chris Stapleton!!!
Why are talking about mechanical drums??? There are only real drums are the album no drum machines the whole comment is an insult to Ed Warby this is worst review of the this album I have seen so far