This is the first Ayreon album masterminded by former Vengeance guitarist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. It's a concept album, telling the story of a blind minstrel (Ayreon) in the dark ages that is contacted through time by our dying race to warn humanity that they'll one day destroy themselves. It has mostly an atmospheric, progressive feel, and while there are hints of the later more metallic Ayreon sound, for the most part this album is unlikely to appeal to metalheads unless they're big Arjen fans.
If there's one thing you can always expect from an Arjen project, it's excellent vocal performances, this being no exception - although the names aren't as big as on some of his later projects.
"The Awareness" is a solid opening track, and "Eyes of Time" is probably the best song here. The first half has an almost Led Zeppelin-like feel, and features the most bottom-heavy guitar on the album. Another highlight is "Listen To The Waves," an atmospheric post-armageddon song that is positively chilling. It will take a couple more albums before Lucassen produces a true masterpiece...

TRACK LIST:
1. Prologue
2. The Awareness
3. Eyes of Time
4. The Banishment
5. Ye Courtyard Minstrel Boy
6. Sail Away To Avalon
7. Nature's Dance
8. Computer Reign (Game Over)
9. Waracle
10. Listen To The Waves
11. Magic Ride
12. Merlin's Will
13. The Charm of the Seer

Review by Dave Sobecki