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Arjen A. Lucassen is definitely one of the most gifted and respected instrumentalists and songwriters in the progressive metal world. His past Ayreon albums such as The Universal Migrator Part 1 & 2 and Into The Electric Castle are legendary, and so was his space metal project Star One. All of his subject matter in the past has focused on time, space, science fiction and space travel. So when he sat down in his famed “Electric Castle” to write a new Ayreon project, he decided to be bold and take on a different subject: the human mind. Enter his boldest masterpiece yet, The Human Equation (2004 InsideOut Records). As with past Ayreon albums and the Star One project, Arjen decided to recruit a crack team of vocalists and musicians to work with him. On past albums legendary voices like Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Sir Russell Allen (Symphony X), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and talented and beautiful female vocalists such as Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation), Lana Lane and Floor Jansen (After Forever) have lent their powerful pipes to bring magic to Arjen’s lyrics. This album is no different, as it features the incomparable James Labrie (Dream Theater), Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth), Devon Townsend (Strapping Young Lad), Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery), Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn), Irene Jansen (Star One), and a talented unknown who will definitely get recognized because of this project, a lovely Mexican singer by the name of Marcela Bovio. Instrumentalists on the album include skinbasher Ed Warby, keyboardists Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) and Joost van den Broek (Sun Caged), and of course Arjen himself. Arjen also contributes vocals to one of the main characters of the story, the best friend. Other vocalists include Devon Graves, Magnus Ekwall and Eric Clayton. This album is a joy and a delight for the senses, like a spring rain shower. Swirling keyboards, crunchy yet melodic guitar riffs (how does Arjen get his tone? He rocks!), heavy and powerful drumming, and a full Celtic style band with woodwinds, violins, cellos, and a flute! I am a huge Jethro Tull fan so a well placed flute break in a prog metal song is always a good thing! The concept of the album is very compelling. A man is in a hospital bed lying in a coma (Labrie) while his wife (Bovio) and his best friend (Arjen) stay at his bedside, looking for any sign of movement or life from their stricken husband/friend. Meanwhile, the man recounts the events of his life in his head while his emotions, ranging from love (Findlay) and passion (Jansen) to fear (Akerfeldt) and rage (Townsend), constantly speak to him and help him to reflect on his life. Some urge him to fight and regain consciousness, while others look to weaken his resolve and tell him he is a loser and he is better off dead. The story is well written and is chronicled over a 20 day time frame. It drags you on a roller coaster ride of joy and love all the way down to fear, pain, and dark despair as well as betrayal. This album may have you reaching for your box of Kleenex many times. Don’t wear eyeliner while listening to this album, ladies! This album is another success for Arjen and his Ayreon project. It may even be his best work yet! It is a amazing musical journey through the human mind which will leave you breathless. And the more you listen to it, the more you will enjoy it! It comes in two versions: A two CD regular edition, and a 2 CD, 1 DVD special edition. Get the special edition if you can. The DVD is fun viewing and the packaging is awesome. Well worth it! DON’T MISS THIS ALBUM, prog metal maniacs! It is one of the best of 2004! Reviewer: Matt "Snowy Owl" Bankes
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