I'm going to see Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, and Volbeat on August 20th at the soon to be finished US Bank Stadium.
Bored so I figured why the hell not. I live alone in a house which might be far too big for me so I usually leave music running whenever I'm home. I'm quite the fan of music that has an specific thematic behind it or a story that is both explained through both the instrumental and lyrical contents, heck, I think whether I end up buying an album or not greatly depends on that, which is why I probably listen to the game group of artists doing different projects with different people, or it could be that I've gotten used to them and it's what I end up seeking out because Firk they're talented vocalists and musicians overall. I'll shut up now. Today I'll be showing ya'll Ayreon's 01011001, well, more like linking some songs really, hopefully Arjen will see some love after this. Warning: If you're the type of person that likes getting into stories and fully understanding them regardless of the type of media (which is something I've seen people be angry about SO I'LL POINT IT OUT) don't fully listen to the contents of this album, that is, if you sincerely care about tiny details and references, or finding yourself in that particular setting. Chronologically however, despite being the last album that addressed this story, it's where it all began, explaining many of the ongoing themes on the previous albums. Album order however is the following: The Final Experiment (1995), Into the Electric Castle (1998), Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer - Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator (2000), The Human Equation (2004) and 01011001 (2008). The reason I chose that album in particular is because the guest vocalists and the instrumental approach resonates more with me than what is shown in previous albums, that's not to say they're not as good, but this one has been part of my playlist for nearly 8 years now. Also it might have to do with some crushes of mine being present in the album, namely Daniel Gildenlow, Floor Jansen and Jorn motherFirking Lande. Bunch of other top notch one such as Hansi, Mr. Catley and Steve Lee. Tiny list that will most likely end up with me trying to post the full album ahead (kinda hard for me to split the whole thing as I'd generally recommend listening to the album as a whole), headphones recommended: 1- River of Time (trying to not scare anyone with the usual length of these songs) Spoiler: Lyrics [Hansi Kursch:] Is it too late to prevent their fall? [Bob Catley:] Are they ready for the key to it all? [Hansi Kursch:] The mystery solved, the answer to life [Bob Catley:] The final solution, a chance to survive [Bob Catley, Hansi Kursch:] We can save this ill-fated race Who are lost in the ocean of space Show them the way to reverse their decline Guide them back on a river of time [Hansi Kursch:] Follow the wave, speed up the flight [Bob Catley:] Slow down time, faster than light [Hansi Kursch:] You might let the forces take a giant leap [Bob Catley:] And the stream dive into the deep [Bob Catley, Hansi Kursch:] We can save this ill-fated race Who are lost in the ocean of space Show them the way to reverse their decline Guide them back on a river of time [Hansi Kursch:] Send back visions of war and decay. [Bob Catley:] Paradigms of fear in a world of dismay. [Hansi Kursch:] Shape the present, alter the past. [Bob Catley:] Create a new future, one that would last [Bob Catley, Hansi Kursch:] We can save this ill-fated race Who are lost in the ocean of space Show them the way to reverse their decline Guide them back on a river of time 2- New Born Race (Bit longer, starring Gildenlow, Jansen and Lande) Spoiler: Lyrics [The Incentive] [Daniel Gildenlöw:] There must be a way to enrich our lives. A way to awaken a nation that dies. There must be a way to revive our past. A way to break free from a world that won't last. [Floor Jansen:] Take me back to when we lived another life Back to when we had no plan Take me back to when we struggled to survive Back to when it all began [Daniel Gildenlöw:] There must be a way to reverse history A way to resume life, return to the sea There must be a way to win back what we lost. A way to escape this, whatever the cost [Floor Jansen:] Take me back to when we lived another life Back to when we had no plan Take me back to when we struggled to survive Back to when it all began [The Vision] [Tom Englund:] Explore the vastness of space Discover a wonderful place Enter a brand new phase Seed the world with a newborn race [x2] [The Procedure] [Jonas Renkse:] We have no choice Life is passing us by We should rejoice I say we should try [Bob Catley:] Every million cycles shooting stars rip our sky. We could divert them on the day they pass us by. [Hansi Kursch:] And on that shining day there is a way For our DNA to reach a world to stay (world to stay!) [Jorn Lande:] Hmmm... Do we have the right to create life? And do we have the right to take it? Yeah Can we decide who lives and dies? Do you think they would even make it [Jonas Renkse:] We have no choice, life is passing us by [Bob Catley:] We all plant our seeds And guide them to their goal We cannot fail We have absolute control [Hansi Kursch:] And on that shining day there is a way For our DNA to reach a world to stay (world to stay!) [Jorn Lande:] Hmmm... Do we have the right to play gods? I strongly feel I have to make a stance Do you think we should take the odds? Yeah. Would they even stand chance? I don't think they ever will. Ever will... No... [Another Life] [Daniel Gildenlow:] Take me back to when we lived another life Back to when we had no plan Take me back to when we struggled to survive Back to when it all began [Bob Catley:] Take us back to when we lived another life Back to when we had no plan Take us back to when we struggled to survive Back to when it all began [Floor Jansen:] Take me back to when we lived another life Back to when we had no plan Take me back to when we struggled to survive Back to when it all began [Newborn Race] [Jorn Lande:] Explore the vastness of space Discover a wonderful place Enter a brand new phase [Jonas Renkse:] We should rejoice! [Jorn Lande:] Seed the world with a newborn race [Jonas Renkse:] I say we should try [Jorn Lande:] Explore the vastness of space Discover a wonderful place (do we have the rights?!) Enter a brand new phase Seed the world with a newborn race (we cannot fail!) [The Conclusion] [Daniel Gildenlöw:] We found a way to enrich our lives A way to awaken the nation that's died 3- The Fifth Extinction/The Earth Extinction (oh God they're getting longer, the very last verses always make me shiver) Spoiler: Lyrics [Glimmer Of Hope] [Anneke van Giersbergen:] Through their eyes we will see [Bob Catley:] With their hands we will create [Anneke van Giersbergen:] In their world we will be free [Bob Catley:] With our minds we'll shape their fate [Steve Lee:] Now the die is cast, the first step taken A glimmer of hope lights up our lives Visions of the past, dreams forsaken Forming right before our eyes We're alive [Anneke van Giersbergen:] Through their pain we'll learn to live [Bob Catley:] Remember all life has to give [Jorn Lande:] Now the die is cast, the first step taken A glimmer of hope lights up our lives Visions of the past, dreams forsaken Re-ignite the sparkle in our eyes We're alive! So alive! [World Of Tomorrow Dreams] [Tom Englund:] I see a planet, perfect for our needs Behold our target, a world to plant our seeds [Steve Lee:] There must be life, first remove any trace of doubt! They may all die, don't you think we should check it out? [Daniel Gildenlöw:] We have no choice, we waited far too long This is our planet, this is where they belong [Jorn Lande:] We may regret this, is this the way it's supposed to be? A cold execution, a mindless act of cruelty! [Bob Catley, Hansi Kursch:] In the World of Tomorrow Dreams, our future lies In the World of Tomorrow Dreams, our hopes will rise [Tom Englund:] I see mainly reptiles, a lower form of intelligence Mere brainless creatures with no demonstrable sentience [Jorn Lande:] What makes us superior, we did not do so great ourselves! A dying race, imprisoned in restricted shells [Bob Catley, Hansi Kursch:] In the World of Tomorrow Dreams, our future lies In the World of Tomorrow Dreams, our hopes will rise [Derek Sherinian: Synth solo] [Collision Course] [From The Ashes] [Tom Englund:] And as the smoke slowly rises [Jonas Renkse:] Our planet's bare and cold [Tom Englund:] But as the black sky brightens [Jonas Renkse:] A wondrous world unfolds [Daniel Gildenlöw:] We're at the dawn of a new age [Bob Catley:] As we hear the final cries [Daniel Gildenlöw:] Ready to enter the next stage [Bob Catley:] From the ashes we will rise [Steve Lee:] And as the smoke slowly rises [Hansi Kursch:] Our planet's bare and cold [Steve Lee:] But as the black sky brightens [Hansi Kursch:] A wondrous world unfolds [Floor Jansen:] We're at the dawn of a new age [Jorn Lande:] As we hear the final cries [Floor Jansen:] Ready to enter the next stage [Jorn Lande:] From the ashes we will rise! [Glimmer Of Hope Reprise] [Daniel Gildenlöw:] Now the die is cast, the first step taken A glimmer of hope lights up our lives Visions of the past, dreams forsaken Re-ignite the sparkle in our eyes We are alive 4- Unnatural Selection (I always gets jolly when this one comes on, could say it's a personal favorite) Spoiler: Lyrics [Tom Englund:] We have to teach them all that we know Their evolution moves far too slow Expand their minds and reject compliance Upgrade their knowledge, upload our science [Steve Lee:] This revolution will lead to their demise, We should not make the same mistake twice We're kept alive by artificial means We've lost our souls to a world of machines [Jorn Lande:] Listen to the warning [8X] [Tom Englund:] We need to teach them to fight disease They seem so helpless and need our expertise I see them dying all across the globe Their greatest foe is but a small microbe [Steve Lee:] The sudden change leads to overpopulation Shifting the balance, destructive habitation Killing a live biological invasion Consuming it by ruthless exploitation [Jorn Lande:] Can you see the fire in their eyes? [Bob Catley:] Can you hear the anguish in their cries? [Jorn Lande:] Can you see the beauty in their eyes? [Bob Catley:] Can you sense the love within their hearts? [Jorn Lande:] I can taste the freedom we once had [Bob Catley:] I can touch their pain when they feel sad [Jorn Lande:] I can smell the fragrance of the air [Bob Catley:] I remember times we used to share [Hansi Kursch:] Don't want to live in a world that's dying I want to die in a world that's living! [2X] [Jorn Lande:] Listen to the warning [8X] (Before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction. - JFK) (Humankind has acquired a collective power and ability to dramatically alter the environment of the entire planet - Gore) (This will not be another Vietnam - Bush) (The only thing we have to fear is fear itself - Roosevelt) (Our task is not only to win the battle, but to win the war - Churchill)) [Bob Catley:] We gave them feelings - what did they sense? [Steve Lee:] Shout out the world and put up a fence! [Bob Catley:] We gave them science - what did they do? [Steve Lee:] They built a bomb and they used it too. [Bob Catley:] We gave them reason - what did they learn? [Steve Lee:] Warmed up the planet and made it burn! [Bob Catley:] We gave them art - what did they make? [Steve Lee:] Nuclear weapons for their own sake! [Bob Catley:] We gave them insight - what did they see? [Steve Lee:] Degrade the noble, enslave the free! [Bob Catley:] We gave them wisdom - what did they teach? [Steve Lee:] Destroying all that's within their reach! [Bob Catley:] We gave them language - what did they say? [Steve Lee:] They put the planet in disarray! [Bob Catley, Steve Lee:] We gave them dreams - and what did they dream? [Hansi Kursch:] Don't want to live in a world that's dying. I want to die in a world that's living! [Jorn Lande:] Listen to the warning [4X] [Jonas Renkse:] A chain on guilt around our neck A planet straying in darkness Can we save the lives we wrecked? I say we should find a way I say stop this decay [Jorn Lande:] Can you see the fire in their eyes? [Bob Catley:] Can you hear the anguish in their cries? [Jorn Lande:] Can you see the beauty in their art? [Bob Catley:] Can you sense the love within their hearts? [Jorn Lande:] I can taste the freedom we once had (freedom, freedom) [Bob Catley:] I can touch their pain (oh, can you feel the fire?) [Jorn Lande:] I can smell the fragrance of the air. [Bob Catley:] I relive the times we used to share (yeah). [Jorn Lande:] Can you see the fire in their eyes? (Oh!) [Bob Catley:] Can you hear the anguish in their cries? (Can you feel the fire?) [Jorn Lande:] Can you see the beauty in their art? [Bob Catley:] Can you sense the love within their hearts? (Can you feel the beauty?) [Hansi Kursch:] Don't want to live in a world that's dying! [Jorn Lande:] Oh yeah, so beautiful! [Hansi Kursch:] I want to die in a world that's living! (Yeah, yeah!) 5- The Sixth Extinction (<3 last song of the album) Spoiler: Lyrics [1. Echoes On The Wind] [Tom Englund:] It's the calm before the storm It's the quiet before the war It's the time when all will be decided. [Steve Lee:] All will be decided [Tom Englund:] If nobody hears the echoes on the wind [Tom Englund:] It's the end of the chain [Steve Lee:] Destruction of the fittest [Tom Englund:] It's the end of our reign [Steve Lee:] We've seen it all before [Tom Englund:] It's the end of man's evolution [Steve Lee:] The end of evolution [Tom Englund:] For nobody heeds the echoes on the wind [2. Radioactive Grave] [*] [Hansi Kursch:] Do you hear the sirens? [Daniel Gildenlöw:] Do you see them burst? [Steve Lee:] Do you feel the fire? [Jonas Renske and Floor Jansen:] All the world's a radioactive grave! [Tom Englund:] I can hear them crying [Bob Catley:] I can see the fear [Jorn Lande:] I can see them dying [Jonas Renske and Floor Jansen:] Washed away by deadly gamma waves! [Hansi Kursch:] Do you hear them calling? [Daniel Gildenlöw:] Do you see them hurt? [Steve Lee:] Do you feel them falling? [Jonas Renske and Floor Jansen:] All the world's a blazing funeral pyre! [Tom Englund:] I can hear the wailing! [Bob Catley:] I can see the wrath! [Jorn Lande:] I can see them failing [Jonas Renske and Floor Jansen:] Washed away by a scorching sea of fire! [repeat *] [3. 2085] [Jonas Renske:] Silence's so loud, not a soul... left alive Darkness's a shroud 2085 All our dreams have disappeared They burned down... tree of life Confirming all that we feared 2085 [Bob Catley:] Don't give up, remember how we felt Fire rushing through our veins Now it's the time to rise up from our hell Now it's the time to free our brains [Steve Lee:] The meaning of life is to give life meaning Go too fast, move too slow. Restore the balance between thinking and feeling Open up and let it flow [Jonas Renske:] No side has won, struggle to... survive Our quest here is done 2085 All our hopes have disappeared Our race will... not thrive Time will not recall the year 2085 [Daniel Gildenlöw:] Don't give in, remember all we learned The spark of life if did ignite We regained the rage for which we yearned We regained our will to fight [Jorn Lande:] We must resolve this human equation We're already dead if we don't try To welcome challenge, genetic variation Stop the machines, prepare to die! [4. To The Planet Of Red] [Instrumental] [5. Spirit Of The Wind] [Tom Englund:] He's the last man alive [Steve Lee:] Searching for the answer [Tom Englund:] Knowing he won't survive [Steve Lee:] To the mystery of live [Tom Englund:] Relives the past, and dreams of the future [Steve Lee:] Dreaming of the future [Tom Englund:] And soon he'll set free [Steve Lee:] And the sleeper will awake [Tom Englund:] The spirit of the wind [6. Complete The Circle] Make us whole, migrator soul Follow you home, complete the Circle We must survive, restore our lives The way I'll show, complete the circle [x2] [Hansi Kursch:] Send back visions Into the past Of war and decay [Floor Jansen:] Hear the final cries! I can see the fear In a world without walls [Anneke van Giersbergen:] Through their eyes [Tom Englund:] I see them dying We have to teach them Migrator soul [Daniel Gildenlöw:] We will gain our will to fight We're at the dawn We found a way [Steve Lee:] I know we'll make it in the end Listen to the one man [Bob Catley:] We gave them language What did they say? What did they learn? [Jorn Lande:] We have no choice We are the future We are the pain Complete the Circle! [Steve Lee:] AH!!!! All in all, if any of these perk your interest, I'd recommend giving the whole thing a shot since every other song is just as amazing. Arjen does some really cool stuff worth looking into. Cheers~
