Ayreon
„Universal Migrator I, The Dream Sequencer“
Progressive Rock, Space Opera.

• CD, 2000
• Original
• Transmission Records
• TM-019
• used

On June 20, 2000, Arjen Lucassen gave us "Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer." Part II, "Flight Of The Migrator," followed on July 20, 2000. In my interpretation, "The Dream Sequencer" and "Flight Of The Migrator" together constitute album six of the Forever cycle.
So it happened. Despite the Forever's attempts to prevent it ("The Final Experiment"), humanity destroyed itself in a war in 2084. And, as thorough as we humans are, we also rendered planet Earth uninhabitable. Without Earth's supply lines to the Mars colony, humanity here is also slowly dying out. The last of them enters the "Dream Sequencer" in 2112.

In short: Ayreon makes progressive, metallic rock music. Concept albums for which Arjen invites a whole host of musicians. Johan Edlund, Floor Jansen, Lana Lane, Clive Nolan, Neal Morse, Damian Wilson…

Humanity perishes in 2084/85, despite the Forever's attempt to prevent this with "The Final Experiment". In 2112, the last surviving Mars colonist enters the human-built Dream Sequencer to spend his final days comfortably. He selects the "Universal Migrator" program.

The Dream Sequencer, however, can apparently do far more than simply project past eras into the brain through hypnosis. According to my interpretation, the Dream Sequencer incarnates the last human being backward through time. Beginning with their time on Mars, where they were born, it progresses through the war of 2084 and the first moon landing to earlier human existences: as a member of Rembrandt's hunting party, as Queen Elizabeth I, among the Druids, and finally to the first human on prehistoric Earth.

The second album, "Flight Of The Migrator", concludes this cycle.

 Each of the exquisitely crafted songs deals with one of these eras. Spacey, story-driven, progressive rock music – in contrast to the second album, which was significantly heavier. This album is like a film: it "generates" images through music as you listen. That is Arjen Lucassen's great strength. For me, as someone interested in history, there's another layer to it, because "The Dream Sequencer" blends fantasy with real figures and events.

Highlights? “The Dream Sequencer” and “My House On Mars” are truly cinematic. Atmospheric, incredibly spacey in their feel. “Dragon On The Sea”: I see myself standing next to Elizabeth I, facing the Spanish Armada. Magnificently sung by Lana Lane. Or the equally magnificent “And The Druids Turn To Stone” by Damian Wilson. Everything here is just right. The music, the singers. Mixing and mastering. The CD quality. If someone doesn't like this album, then I can't help them.

Album order of the "Forever" cycle according to release date.

1995 The Final Experiment
1998 Into the Electric Castle
2000 Universal Migrator Part I „The Dream Sequencer“
+
2000 Universal Migrator Part II „Flight of the Migrator“
2004 The Human Equation
2008 01011001
2017 The Source

All images are from my Transmission promo CD. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.

TheProgThief
©29.09.2024
Mk 2