Stormbringer Webzine

Metal Reviews


"Star One: Space Metal"

Arjen Lucassen

 

If you knew his background already you'd understand this album makes perfect sense.

If you didn't, there's more than enough evidence to know he's one of those starship trooper types.

Star One confirms it. Having already made an impression with his classically strewn projects of progression known as Ayreon, Lucassen opts for a more direct approach, akin to a rocket blasting straight into space rather than his usual
stratospheric hover.

The ambient eclipse remain significant to a "Space-like" theme as would a trip through Floyd's "Machine," combining
then with a guitar-heavy dominance-both working in tandem as would the more mystically-led YJM journeys with Arjen's usual flair for the dramatic, his synthesized wizardry engulfing an eager traveler in time.

Based upon his love of Sci-fi adventure spanning back to the days of the original Star Trek and Space Odysseys; the Star Wars phenomenon among others-no mention of "Lost In Space" however, can't understand it-Star One catches the sheer of a passing Hawkwind having again assembled another stellar cast to assist in his cosmological recreation.

The songs of disc one, I believe there'll be a limited edition two-disc release that features some extra bonuses and alternate versions and Bowie cover, run ten strong and weave interstellar melodies over equally distributed tempos ranging slow to fast and comfortably in between.

All the while unexpectedly heavy riffs jar loose that "numbing" factor Gilmour first made famous. Lucassen's a standout performer who associates with only top flight contributors with whatever he sets forth to accomplish.

And so it goes with "Space Metal," clocking in just short of sixty minutes and employing the finest in real-world escapism this side of Apollo, Starbuck, and Blackmore's Rainbow. Expect nothing less than a superbly done intergalactic space cruise to the stars.

Released by InsideOut Music.
Klelner Markt 10, 47533 Kleve, Germany.
Fax: +49 (0)2821 26820
Website: http://www.insideout.de
E-mail: info@insideout.de

InsideOut Music America
344 TB Oakville Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15220 USA
E-Mail: info@insideoutmusic.com
Fax: +1 4129379283

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
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Vinnie Apicella

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