Ayreon - Actual Fantasy Revisited
	Released: 2004 Label: InsideOut Cat. No.: SPV 087-40662 / IOMCD 194 Total Time: 79:55
	Reviewed by: Marcel Haster, November 2004 After Ayreon in 1995, surprised friend and foe with his fantastic rock opera, he came back a year later with a very special album: Actual Fantasy. This was a very electronic-based album, with, in Ayreon terms, only three vocalists, and Arjen Lucassen himself played almost all other instruments. In the mean time, some 8 years have passed and Ayreon has changed record labels, so the back catalogue is revamped and re-released. The first two (The Universal Migrator albums and Into The Electric Castle) did have some extras, compared to the original versions, but the most added value is found in this re-release! Because for this 2004 version, Arjen Lucassen recorded almost everything again, some even from scratch! The drum computer has been replaced by the only human drum computer, Ed Warby (Gorefest, Ayreon), the bass is played by Peter Vink (Finch, Star One). Besides that, Arjen himself played most of the guitar parts as well as lots of the synthesizer parts. Last but not least, the sampled flute has been replaced by the work of Ewa Alberink (Quidam, Star One). Now this should have been sufficient, as the result is amazing! Actual Fantasy blows out of your speakers like never before, and the whole sound is slightly different than the original, especially in "Forevermore" it is very obvious, with a brand new guitar part. But no, it had to be bigger. In this time of DVD players and home cinema sets, a DVD was added that offered Actual Fantasy Revisited in dolby 5.1 surround. In case you wanted to turn on your TV, you can also enjoy all kinds of psychedelic computer animations that fit the music perfectly. Also the original Actual Fantasy album is available on the DVD as a bonus, and you get a a video clip (both in 5.1 as 2.0) and a sort of "Making of," where Arjen Lucassen, Peter Vink and Ed Warby show how much fun they had in recording this album. About the contents, nothing more need to be said, as every dedicated Ayreon fan knows the original. But Actual Fantasy Revisited has such an added value that this should not be missing from your collection. But also, the person who likes solid prog rock very much, but has not dared to try Actual Fantasy, will be able to appreciate this version very much, because one way or the other, Arjen Lucassen is and always stay a genius. That he may favour us with his amazing music for a long time to come! Rating: 5/5 [See also Bobo's and Keith's reviews and Duncan's review of the original release -ed.] More about Actual Fantasy Revisited: Track Listing: Actual Fantasy / Abbey of Synn / The Stranger from Within / Computer Eyes / Beyond the Last Horizon / Far Side of the World / Back on Planet Earth / Forevermore / The Dawn of Man Bonus DVD: Actual Fantasy Revisited 2004 - 5.1 Surround Mix / Actual Fantasy 1996 - original version / Video clip The Stranger from Within - 5.1 & 2.0 / Featurette: Recording drums, bass and guitar 2004 Musicians: Arjen A. Lucassen - Guitars, Keyboards, additional noises Peter Vink - bass guitar Ed Warby - drums Ewa Alberink - Flute Robert Soeterboek - Vocals Edward Reekers - Vocals Okkie Huysdens - Vocals Cleem Determeyer - Synth solos Rene Merkelbach - Hammond, synth solos Contact: Website: www.arjenlucassen.com Note: will open new browser window Discography The Final Experiment (1995) Actual Fantasy (1996) Into The Electric Castle (1998) The Univeral Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer (2000) The Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight Of The Migrator (2000) Ayreonnauts Only Fate Of A Dreamer (2001) (Ambeon) Space Metal (2002) (Star One) Live On Earth (2003) (Star One) The Human Equation (2004) Actual Fantasy Revisited (2004) The Final Experiment - Special Edition (2005) Interview: Arjen Lucassen (April 2002) Interview: Arjen Lucassen (June 2004 (pub Aug 2004)) Interview: Arjen Lucassen (June 2004 (pub Aug 2004)) Interview: Arjen Lucassen (circa 1998 (pub Aug 2004)