
Image © 2001
InsideOut Music
The Story
Flight of the Migrator follows a different course.
It takes us back to the beginning of time, just before the Big Bang,
from which the universe originated. It was a time of utter chaos.
During that Big Bang the first sould comes into being, the Universal
Migrator. It divides into a great many parts, which all start out on
a journey to a planet where they can settle. They bring life to the
various planets and initiate various forms of civilization. With the
aid of the Dream Sequencer the colonists on Mars follows one of those
souls on its long journey to earth. He passes astronomical phhenomena
such as quasars, pulsars, super novas, black holes and wormholes.
Meanwhile the Dream Sequencer does everything in its power to wake
the colonist from his deep hypnosis.
Even though the principle and main figures were developed
by Arjen, his descriptions of astronomical phenomena are uncannily
accurate. Lucassen buried himself in the studies of Stephen Hawking,
a scientist who has studied the source of the human race for many
years, and provides insight within the lyrics to Universal Migrator.
More Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Live On Earth
Space Metal
Ayreonauts Only
Flight Of The Migrator
The Dream Sequencer
Fate Of A Dreamer
|
  |
Flight of the Migrator opens with an exhilirating
instrumental romp "Chaos." Metal-edged electric guitar, shimmering
Hammond organ and vast progressive-style synthesizer riffs illustrate
the virtuosity of Arjen Anthony Lucassen and Erik Norlander.
Crisp percussion—and a dramatic solo—by Ed Warby underscores the
arrangement. Jubilant ELP-style keyboards, characteristic of Erik
Norlander's work, blend with heavy guitar in the first vocal
number—underscored by male choir—entitled "Dawn of a Million Souls"
with the lead sung by Sir Russel Allen. Symphonically orchestral
progressive keyboard work during one bridge is as stunning as the
shattering guitar solos in others. Damian Wilson's backing vocals
provide additional texture to the track.
One of the standout tracks from the album is "Journey
on the Waves of Time" sung by Ralf Scheepers. A hard driving rock
tune, it balances heavy metal sounds with lush Hammond organ riffs
and a catchy melody, supported by the lead vocal, keyboards and
choir textures. Arjen's unique variation of the Beatlesque style
re-emerges in "To the Quasar" sung by Andi Deris. Delicate
synthesizer and guitar perfectly compliment the processed vocal
part. Full of special effects, the symphonic metal-edged keyboard
and guitar instrumental passages are especially notable.
The three-movement "Into The Black Hole" blends
metal guitar sounds with progressive keyboard work and the soaring
vocal work of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickson. Lana Lane's backing
harmony vocals compliment perfectly as does the keyboard romp
near the track's conclusion. With Rhapsody's Fabio Kotipelto
dramatic lead vocal, "Through The Wormhole," is a fast paced,
percussive heavy-metal rocker. Lana Lane's harmony backing vocal
is subdued beneath the instrumental arrangement. A vast guitar
solo and romping keyboard solo, both by Gary Wehrkamp, are quite
noteworthy additions to the piece.
"Out of the White Hole," sung by Stratovarious
vocalist Timo Kotipelto is performed in a style similar to "Into
The Black Hole." Lush majestic symphonic keyboards are contrasted
by heavy metal-edged guitars. Keyboard solos are reminscent of
ELP's Tarkus. Hard driving guitars and vocal harmonies
by Robert Soeterboek dominate the arrangements of "To The Solar
System" until lush Hammond organ and further keyboards join the
arrangement. Heavily processed vocals in Battlestar Gallactica
Sylon-style conlude the track in "System Alert."
The album concludes with "The New Migrator," a
striking blend of orchestrally symphonic progressive instrumentals
with heavy metal, complete with heavily percussive guitar work and
double bass drum. Ian Parry's lead vocal and self-backing harmony
parts are dramatically performed. Lana Lane also contributes
backing vocal work to the final track. Lucassen's guitar solo is
perfectly complimented by Keiko Kumagai's synthesizer and Hammond
organ solos.
Much different than the first part of the set, Flight
of the Migrator is equally enjoyable, especially for lovers of
metal-edged song-based progressive rock. Certainly not a female
vocals album by any means, it remains full of well-sung parts by a
range of extremely talented musicians. A perfect compliment to
the first part of the set, this album is worth a trans-Atlantic
journey and is also a must listen!
|