Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Dream Sequencer | ||
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| Studio album by Ayreon | ||
| Released | 2000 | |
| Recorded | 2000 | |
| Genre | Progressive Metal Rock Opera |
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| Length | 70:14 | |
| Label | Transmission InsideOut Music |
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| Producer(s) | Arjen Anthony Lucassen | |
| Professional reviews | ||
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| Ayreon chronology | ||
| Into the Electric Castle (1998) |
The Dream Sequencer (2000) |
Flight of the Migrator (2000) |
Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer is a musical album composed by Arjen Anthony Lucassen and released under his project Ayreon. The Dream Sequencer could be considered a metal opera, which is narrated across several different eras of human history, with each era being interpreted by a different singer. Its story is complemented by Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator. Both albums were released individually in 2000 and later re-issued on a single package in 2004. The album focuses on melodic and atmospheric songs, contrary to its heavier sequel.
[edit] Background information
The story takes place in the twenty second century, over one hundred years after the final war on Earth, which had been predicted by the blind minstrel Ayreon in the sixth century (the story of the minstrel Ayreon is narrated on its entirety on the album The Final Experiment, from 1995).
Several colonists residing on the planet Mars witnessed the destruction of their home planet from afar, and for several years kept themselves alive by using the supplies they had brought from Earth. However, the limited rations eventually end, and only a single colonist remains. This man, a child of the first colonists, is the last surviving human being. Despite that, he has never been on Earth.
The Dream Sequencer is a machine assembled by scientists to allow colonists to travel back in time by means of hypnosis, with the purpose of providing them entertainment, given that the Mars colony did not offer many options for leisure. The machine actually allows its user to travel further back than his own existence, and enables him to experience past lives.
[edit] Track listing, historical notes and technical information
[edit] "The Dream Sequencer"
The digitized voices on this song were provided by Lana Lane and Erik Norlander.
[edit] "My House on Mars"
Vocals on this song were provided by Johan Edlund (of Tiamat) and Floor Jansen. Edlund is also the composer of the song's vocal melody.
[edit] "2084"
Vocals on this song were provided by Lana Lane.
[edit] "One Small Step"
According to Arjen Lucassen, the song tells of the events he lived during first manned lunar landing - the Apollo 11 mission. It uses the famous words of Neil Armstrong, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind". The song contains samples from the voices of astronauts, captured during moon landings. Vocals on this song were provided by Edward Reekers and backing vocals were provided by Lana Lane.
[edit] "The Shooting Company of Captain Frans B. Cocq"
This song makes reference to Captain Frans Banning Cocq and his militia, immortalised on the painting The Night Watch by Dutch painter Rembrandt. The painting dates from the Dutch golden age, 1642. In the song's title, Arjen Lucassen makes use of a title which is considered the most accurate for the painting. Vocals on this song were provided by Mouse and backing vocals were provided by Lana Lane.
[edit] "Dragon on the Sea"
This song makes reference to Queen Elizabeth I of England and the "Speech to the Troops at Tilbury" given by her in July of 1588, on the light of an attack by the Spanish Armada, which consisted of a grand naval fleet of 130 ships bearing over 30,000 men. The English fleet won the battle under the leadership of Sir Francis Drake — the "dragon" on the sea — and Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham. Vocals on this song were provided by Lana Lane. Erik Norlander is the composer of the song's lyrics.
[edit] "Temple of the Cat"
This song makes reference to the Mayan civilisation and Maya mythology, taking place circa the 8th century. According to Arjen Lucassen, it speaks especially about the Jaguar Temple and the city of Tikal. Certain samples used on the song come from an authentic Maya festival. Vocals on this song were provided by Jacqueline Govaert. Arjen Lucassen has stated that this is his least favorite Ayreon song. [2]
[edit] "Carried by the Wind"
This song is influenced by Irish folk music, and makes reference to a previous album by Arjen Lucassen, The Final Experiment. Vocals on this song were provided by Arjen Anthony Lucassen himself.
[edit] "And the Druids Turn to Stone"
This song makes reference to the Stonehenge, a monument located near Amesbury in the English county of Wiltshire, which is believed to have mainly been built between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. Due to the uncertainty regarding the origins of the monument, Arjen Lucassen proposes the fantasy explanation that a group of druids was turned to stone by means of magic, and thus became the Stonehenge. Vocals on this song were provided by Damian Wilson (ex-Threshold).
[edit] "The First Man on Earth"
This song makes reference to the appearance of the first Homo sapiens on Earth, circa 50,000 BCE. Vocals on this song were provided by Neal Morse (ex-frontman of Spock's Beard) and backing vocals were provided by Mark McCrite. Neal Morse, Erik Norlander and Arjen Anthony Lucassen are the composers of the song's lyrics.
[edit] "The Dream Sequencer Reprise"
Instrumental track.
[edit] Production
Lucassen said that most of the moments highlighted on the album were chosen by him from a children's encyclopedia. The plot of a person living through several incarnations was his way of avoiding the constrictions imposed upon him whilst using multiple singers simultaneously in Into the Electric Castle. Lucassen stated that his initial plan was for there to only be female singers in The Dream Sequencer — and only male singers in The Flight of the Migrator — but the plan was not implemented due to a lack of available female singers. Singers considered for the album but that did not participate were Anneke van Giersbergen (from The Gathering), Sarah Bettens (from K's Choice), Liv Kristine (ex-Theatre of Tragedy, Leaves' Eyes), Mathilde Santing, Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath, ex-Mob Rules) and Steve Lee (from Gotthard). The drummer chosen for this album was Rob Snijders (Celestial Season}.
The reason the styles were so different on both Universal Migrator albums (according to Arjen) is that he wanted to produce an album to appeal to each of Ayreon's core fan base; the "prog fans" and the "metal fans", wherein the initial groups would buy their personal album (The Dream Sequencer for the former, Flight of the Migrator for the latter) and, if need be, ignore the other album. In the end, both groups purchased both and loved both albums, so the experiment was only a slight failure (both albums still sold rather nicely in both groups).
