Ayeron - The Final Experiment (1995)++ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Singers: Edward Reekers - Lead Vocals on "The Time Telepathy Experiment", "Ayreon's Quest", "Dreamtime (Words Become A Song)", "Epilogue" Lenny Wolf - Lead Vocals on "Eyes Of Time" Robert Soeterboek - Lead Vocals on "The Accusation", "Ayreon's Fate" (chorus), "Merlin's prophecy" (1st singer) Jan-Chris de Koeijer - Lead Vocals on "Oblivion" Ian Parry - Lead Vocals on "Ye Courtyard Minstrel Boy", "Computer-reign (Game Over)", "Merlin's Prophecy" (2nd singer) Barry Hay - Lead Vocals on "Sail Away To Avalon" Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Lead Vocals on "Nature's Dance", "Listen To The Waves", "Magic Ride" Jay van Feggelen - Lead Vocals on "Waracle", "Merlin's Prophecy" (4th singer) Leon Goewie - Lead Vocals on "Merlin's Will", "Ayreon's Fate" (verses), "Merlin's Prophecy" (5th singer) Ruud Houweling and Lucie Hillen - Lead Vocals on "The Charm Of The Seer" Mirjam van Doorn - Lead Vocals on "Merlin's Prophecy" (3rd singer) Debby Schreuder - Lead Vocals on "Merlin's Prophecy" (6th singer) Backing Vocals: Mirjam van Doorn and Debby Schreuder on "Dreamtime (Words Become A Song)", "Eyes Of Time", "The Accusation", "The Banishment, "Sail Away To Avalon", "Computer-Reign (Game Over)", "Waracle", "Magic Ride", "Merlin's Will", "Ayreon's Fate" Rene Merkelbach on "Eyes Of Time", The Accusation", "Sail Away To Avalon", "Nature's Dance", "Magic Ride", "Merlin's Will" Arjen Anthony Lucassen on "Eyes Of Time", "The Accusation", "Sail Away To Avalon", "Nature's Dance", "Listen To The Waves", "Magic Ride", "Merlin's Will", "The Charm Of The Seer" Jolanda Verduijn, Lucie Hillen and Ruud Houweling on "The Charm Of The Seer" Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Guitars, Keyboards, Bass on "Dreamtime (Words Become A Song)", "Waracle", "Listen To The Waves", "Merlin's Will", "The Charm Of The Seer" Jolanda Verduijn - Bass on "The Gathering", "The Accusation", "Sail Away To Avalon", "Ayreon's Fate", "Merlin's Prophecy" Peter Vink - Bass on "Eyes Of Time", "Brainwaves", "The Banishment", "Oblivion", "Computer-reign (Game Over)" Cleem Determeijer - Hammond, Minimoog, Mellotron, Vocoder, Oberheim, Juno, Harpsichord, Piano and Keyboards Barry Hay - Alto flute on "Sail Away To Avalon" Ernst van Ee - Drums Produced and mixed by A.A. Lucassen and O. Holleman. Engineered by Oscar Holleman. Recorded and Mixed in 1994/95 at Studio "RS29". Mastered by Peter Brussee at Q Point. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track Listing 1) Prologue (The Time Telepathy Experiment / Overture / Ayreon's Quest) (Lucassen) 3:16 Act I 'The Dawning' 2) The Awareness (A The Premonition / Dreamtime (Words Become A Song) / The Awakening) (Lucassen) 6:36 3) Eyes Of Time (Eyes Of time / Brainwaves) (Lucassen) 5:05 4) The Banishment (A New Dawn / The Gathering / The Accusation / The Banishment / Oblivion) (Lucassen, "A New Dawn" arr. by C. Determeijer) 11:08 Act II 'King Arthur's Court' 5) Ye Courtyard Minstrel Boy (Lucassen / Parry) 2:45 6) Sail Away To Avalon (Lucassen) 4:02 7) Nature's Dance (Lucassen) 2:27 Act III 'Visual Echoes' 8) Computer-Reign (Game Over) (Lucassen) 3:24 9) Waracle (Lucassen) 6:44 10) Listen To The Waves (Lucassen) 4:58 11) Magic Ride (Lucassen) 3:35 Act IV 'Merlin's Will and Ayreon's Fate' 12) Merlin's Will (Lucassen) 3:20 13) The Charm Of The Seer (Lucassen) 4:11 14) Swan Song (Lucassen) 2:44 15) Ayreon's Fate (Ayreon's Fate / Merlin's Prophecy / Epilogue) (Lucassen) 6:55 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Prologue (The Time Telepathy Experiment / Overture / Ayreon's Quest) (Arjen Anthony Lucassen) 3:17 a) The Time Telepathy Experiment (Spoken): This is the voice of Merlin. Listen well, for it concerns you. This chronicle commences ... in the year 2084 A.D. Mankind has virtually destroyed itself. It's survival ... depends ... on 'The Final Experiment'... Scientists ... from the 21st century ... have developed a new computer program called ... 'Time Telepathy.' By using this technique ... they have sent visions of humanities' decline back in time. These transmissions ... have been received by the mind of a blind minstrel ... who lives in 6th century Great Britain. His name ... is Ayreon. b) Overture c) Ayreon's Quest (Spoken): It shall be Ayreon's quest ... to sing of these visions and thus warn the world ... of its impending downfall ... in order to change its future in a long ... and prosperous one. Let us go back ... to ... 'The Dark Ages.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Act I 'The Dawning' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) The Awareness (A The Premonition / Dreamtime (Words Become A Song) / The Awakening) (Lucassen) 6:36 a) The Premonition A strange sensation comes over Ayreon, as if something mysterious is about to occur. b) Dreamtime (Words Become A Song) Suddenly a vision emerges in Ayreon's ever-black world and he finds himself singing about the horrid projections etched into his brain. (Ayreon): A cry in the silence A shine in the dark Like a rising star ... the dream is coming Images of violence A flight through time and space It's such a lonely place, the dream has started Chorus: The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer And words become a song - in the dreamtime I've lost control, marooned and cold I suffer the fears of a future untold I cannot change the shape of things to come Chorus The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer The hands of time ... are whirling around I'm realising ... the future's getting nearer And words become a song The smoke is rising The vision's getting clearer And words become a song c) The Awakening Abruptly the vision ends and Ayreon recedes into his darkness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Eyes Of Time (Eyes Of time / Brainwaves) (Lucassen) 5:06 a) Eyes Of Time It slowly dawns on Ayreon that these visions he is experiencing are visions of the future but he does not fully comprehend their importance yet. (Ayreon): I ... cannot see with these eyes My world is dark ... like a cold eternal night I ... could not tell you no lies My words are lost ... in a shroud of mysery Chorus: (Villagers): Tell me what you see (Ayreon): I cannot tell you now I see the world through the eyes of time (Villagers): Tell me what you feel (Ayreon): I wouldn't know how I cannot free my mind - from the eyes of time I ... do not know where I am I'm lost in time, drifting in eternity I ... cannot tell if it's real... Or fantasy ... or a view of things to come Chorus (Spoken): I'm still trying to understand Why do I see the things I see Could it be a future world That's warning us through me I'm still trying to understand Why ... do I know the things I know Does it mean ... I'm a God Will nobody tell me so? (Villagers): Tell me what you see (Ayreon): Ooh, I see the world through the eyes of time (Villagers): Tell me what you feel (Ayreon): I wouldn't know how I cannot free my mind (Villagers): Tell me what you see (Ayreon): I cannot tell you now I see the world through the eyes of time (Villagers): Tell me what you feel (Ayreon): I wouldn't know how I cannot free my mind, free my mind, free my mind, free my mind... b) Brainwaves It all gets too confusing for Ayreon and the thin line between illusion and reality fades. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) The Banishment (A New Dawn / The Gathering / The Accusation / The Banishment / Oblivion) (Lucassen, "A New Dawn" arr. by C. Determeijer) 11:08 a) A New Dawn A perceptable tension is hovering above Ayreon's hometown. Something is at hand. b) The Gathering The townspeople gather on the market square to judge of Ayreon. Is he a prophet or a charlatan, or even worse: an apparition most unholy? c) The Accusation The villagers accuse Ayreon of being the devil's spawn, but Ayreon persists in his innocence. (Villagers): Have you seen his eyes, up in the skies ... like hypnotized And he never smiles, he never cries... Have you heard his song ... fierce and strong, right or wrong Should he be condemned for he doesn't belong (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've aroused the forces of destruction (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've unleashed the rage of the gods (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've denounced the wonder of creation (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've betrayed your own Now you have to pay, yeah yeah It has been foretold in days of old'n'evil soul Will corrupt the world to achieve his goal He's the devil's seed, an evil breed He's gonna make you bleed He'll take all he needs ... with uncontrolable greed (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've aroused the forces of destruction (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've unleashed the rage of the gods (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've denounced the wonder of creation (Ayreon): What have I done (Villagers): You've betrayed your own Now you have to pay (Ayreon): I've done nothing at all, no nothing at all d) The Banishment With sticks and torches in hand, the angry villagers drive Ayreon out of their deminse. e) Oblivion Completely exhausted Ayreon roams through the forest, only an indistinct sense of accomplishment sustains him. (Ayreon): If I have died, then this must be hell If I'm alive, I cannot break this gruesome spell I am seeking ... relief ... and finding none I have ... fallen ... into oblivion A force within ... dominates, my tormented soul And empowers me ... to regain ... absolute control I shall not ... yield, for I am the chosen one... Who shall ... rise ... from ... oblivion ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Act II 'King Arthur's Court' Good fate has guided Ayreon to Camelot, King Arthur's Castle, where he is welcomed as a worthy minstrel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5) Ye Courtyard Minstrel Boy (Lucassen / Parry) 2:46 A new horizon hear the travellers call Behold there lies a kingdom Go forth ye minstrel tall Sing of your wisdom Spread tidings of joy A feast of song and laughter Ye courtyard ... minstrel boy O'dance thee 'round the table ... for conquerors and kings Thou must win the heart of Gwenhwyfar, fair maiden of the king Thy lord, thy master Arthur thee so bold Heed the words of Ayreon ... and thy future will unfold Chorus 1: Sing ye tales of wonder ... whilst ye hide behind the joy Cast thy spell asunder, ye courtyard minstrel boy Chorus 2: Sing ye Oh sing ye Courtyard minstrel boy Chorus 2 A day of splendour How beautiful birds sing Ladies, lords and masters ... and rainbows he would bring A child's sadness Sweet dreams, oh princely boy Let thyn eyes reveal the madness Ye courtyard minstrel boy Chorus 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6) Sail Away To Avalon (Lucassen) 4:02 To entertain the court, Ayreon makes up a song about the brave Knights Of The Round Table and their journey to the Isle of Avalon in search of The Holy Grail. (Ayreon): Noble men in shining armour Knights of the table-round Go out and ride like thunder, cross the sky at the speed of sound the horn.. 'N blow the trumpets ... upon the castle wall Now the quest has started Listen to the prophet's call The prophet's call Yeah yeah Sail away... Sail away to Avalon The journey has begun Sail away through the night Sail away, never die The gods are at your side Sail away through the night Sail away Ride on the road to glory Find the Holy Grail And learn the ancient story's more than just a fairytale about the key to life ... and all its mysteries You'll find the Grail within you Slay the dragon in your dreams Sail away... Chorus: Sail away to Avalon The journey has begun Sail away through the night Sail away, never die The gods are at your side Sail away through the night Chorus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7) Nature's Dance (Lucassen) 2:28 Ayreon retires in the garden of dreams surrounding Camelot, enjoyes the wonders of nature and reflects on his fate. He now fully understands, and reluctantly submits to his destiny. (Ayreon): I can smell the grass ... and touch the flowers Among the trees ... I pass the hours and fantasize I let the dance of nature inspire me Now my mind is free ... from apparitions I switch off like a 'television' and close my eyes And I wish that I could see like everybody can How I wish that I could be like any other man I can't see the sun ... but I sense its glow I hear the sound ... of water flowing down the stream And my heart cries out for a little bit love - but I know that it was not meant to be So I'll fulfil my destiny and accept my fate Still I wish that I could see like everybody can (everybody can) How I wish (wish) that I could be like any other man ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Act III 'Visual Echoes' The time has come for Ayreon to set about his mission. He sings about three main causes of the Earth's eventual destruction. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8) Computer-Reign (Game Over) (Lucassen) 3:25 Ayreon describes a distant future in which technology triumphs over passion, and 'serving' computers will gradyally gain control over mankind. (Ayreon): I see a future cold as ice where all the love has gone I see a race that pays the price for everything it's done I see shadows of giant machines cast upon the land I see a world where kings nor queens but chips are in command (Sample): Computer (3) Computer-reign Chorus: Now the end has just begun Technology has won And it cannot be undone There will be nowhere to run Now the damage has been done Game over! (2) I see a game gone out of hand and memories erased I see a programmed masterplan and man will be replaced I see a planet die in space and slowly fade away I see the end of the human race, there has to be a way (Sample) Chorus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9) Waracle (Lucassen) 6:44 Ayreon sings of the uselessness of the countless wars to come, and the absurdity of the final annihilation by the push of just one button by just one man. (Ayreon): (Spoken): Echoes of a thousand screams smoke, blood and fire A deserted battlefield Millions of men will die ... at one man's desire And the docile mass will yield All through the ages... Men will die before their time ... in an everlasting war As long as man is taught ... that war is not a crime... Man will fight for evermore (Spoken): Out of the ashes ... a war-lord will arise... And tyrannize the land His reign of terror ... will cost many a sacrifice an inferno is at hand All through the centuries ... men will be caged ... in the name of liberty As long as man shall live ... wars will be waged... Or will we ever be set free? Chorus: Set me free! Ooh yeah Set me free! Oh God, oh mighty! Set me free! (2) Set me, set me free! Oh Lord! Set me free! I'm begging you (3) The road to ruin ... gets shorter (shorter) all the time... as technology will improve It takes but one man ... to commit the ultimate crime... And make the final move All through the ages... Men will die before their time ... in an everlasting war As long as man shall live ... wars will be waged... Or will we ever be set free? Chorus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10) Listen To The Waves (Lucassen) 4:59 Ayreon warns the people that if man does not mend his way, man will contaminate the skies, so there will be no more air to breathe, he will poison the seas, so there will be no more water to drink and he will polute the land, so there will be no more food to live on. (Ayreon): All the trees ... have fallen The soil ... is scorched and dry I can't respire A storm of fire ... is raging in the sky Where is all the wildlife Extinct ... from pole to pole The hunt for skin A deadly sin ... took its heavy toll Chorus: The seas are red, the skies are grim The soil is filled with graves The earth is dead, the sun is dim Listen to the waves We befoul the air ... and burn a hole ... in the sky Deadly rays ... from outer space ... cause our race to die Standing at the crossroads A choice of life ... and death We'll take more care ... and clear the air ... or take our final breath Chorus Chorus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11) Magic Ride (Lucassen) 3:36 Somehow Ayreon senses that his fate is upon him, and he implores, no he commands his future tormentors to grant him one last moment of splendour in place of all the misery that haunts his mind. But no one hears his plea... (Ayreon): I sense a fear ... deep inside The end is near, I cannot hide Blood is spilt My quest is unfulfilled There's still so much ... I long to see I need to touch I wish to be I can't believe ... this is all ... I can achieve Chorus: Hark me now and let me go... To far-away lands and distant shores An angel at my side No evil plans ... or future wars Take me high on a magic ride Did you ever care ... how I could feel As you dreamt up ... this one-way deal My lords of time Don't you understand My life's been rough I was born to lose I've had enough ... of them future-blues Grant my wish My wish ... is your command Chorus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Act IV 'Merlin's Will and Ayreon's Fate' The great Merlin, Arthur's magician and prophet, has observed Ayreon's endeavours argus-eyed, but now he believes the moment has come for him to intervene. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12) Merlin's Will (Lucassen) 3:20 Merlin, who is unaffected by - and therefore ignorant of - the 'Time Telepathy' experiment, assumes that Ayreon's prophecies are deceptive, and so Ayreon must be silenced. Or could there be an undertone of envy in his words? (Merlin): Ayreon - Don't you know who I am Ayreon - I'll have you know that I can Charm you with a wave of my hand You bow to my ... command Ayreon - You're an evil stranger Ayreon - You've become a danger Your words are all but a lie I vow ... that ye ... shall die Chorus: (Knights): It's Merlin's will, his will be done The end has come for Ayreon It's Merlin's will and his will be done (Merlin): Ayreon - You're in my domain now Ayreon - I renounce your name now No one will know who you are You'll fade out like a star Chorus ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13) The Charm Of The Seer (Lucassen) 4:12 Ayreon understands that he was not individually chosen for the 'Time Telepathy Experiment,' but that he unintentionally received its transmissions. This could be because of a more developed sixth sense as a result of his blindness. He also realises that he can neither accomplish his mission, nor stop the visions from penetrating his mind. His sole escape is to submit to the magic charm of the great seer Merlin. (Ayreon): I've been lost ... in the valley of nightmares I've been found in the garden of dreams Speak thy charm, I know you are out there Cast thy spell and silence the screams Chorus: As I poise on the edge of life ... where time disappears I bow in fear to the charm of the seer I've seen fear ... in valiant faces I've seen hope ... in desperate eyes Lead me home to familiar places Lead me back ... to crystalline skies As I poise on the edge of life ... where time disappears I bow in fear to the charm ... of the seer I have failed, I have been forsaken I've been scorned ... and misunderstood I have lost, my life has been taken I'd surrender if only I could Chorus I bow in fear ... to the charm of the seer (9) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14) Swan Song (Arjen Anthony Lucassen) 2:44 Merlin grants Ayreon his last request: to experience one last brief moment of serenity. Flashes of his past life pass before his eyes Instrumental ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15) Ayreon's Fate (Ayreon's Fate / Merlin's Prophecy / Epilogue) (Lucassen) 6:56 a) Ayreon's Fate Ayreon desperately attempts to convince Merlin of his sincerity, but Merlin won't hear of it and casts his spell on poor Ayreon. (Ayreon): Misguided Merlin You fail to understand I could never be your rival I was just a pawn ... in a future masterplan... For the purpose of survival (Merlin): Ayreon, I've cast my spell on you I have no faith, you cannot be true Ayreon! (Ayreon): I forgive you Merlin ... for you don't know what you've done Even for you, it was all a mystery (mystery, mystery, mystery) One day you'll see ... that I was the one... Who could change the course of history (Merlin): Ayreon, your words are all in vain Close your eyes, there'll be no more pain Oh Ayreon... b) Merlin's Prophecy Merlin is stricken with grief for he has had a vision that proves Ayreon to be genuine. Reluctant to pass into eternity as the martyr of mankind, Merlin vows that Ayreon's word will be spread in the 20th century, in the hope that it will not be too late and that man will heed his premonitions. (Merlin): I see one day... His story will be told ... at the end of the 20th century I see one day... The truth will unfold... And the quest has now begun Ooh Ayreon! I hope one day ... that man will understand It's in his power to change his ... destiny I hope one day ... he'll do all ... that he can And all the nations ... will be one Oh Ayreon! c) Epilogue Now the end has just begun... And the words become a song... Tell me what you feel... The seas are red, the skies are grim... Listen to the waves... (Spoken): The outcome of the final experiment has now been placed ... in your hands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------