Ayreon
Actual Fantasy

THE REVIEW

Ayreon is a musical project by the talented composer and multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Arjen is a highly regarded musician, who in his career has collaborated with some of the best artists in the heavy metal scene (and beyond). “Actual Fantasy” is released in 1996 and follows the already quite good debut album “The Final Experiment”. In my opinion, it is the best and most complete work in his discography. The album manages to perfectly balance what is Lucassen's musical proposal: a technological rock, quite innovative for its time (especially in the sound), that at times spills over into heavy metal (mainly due to the guitar distortions used) and which blends some progressive elements. Unlike the other works, “Actual Fantasy” does not deal with a concept, but mostly individual stories written by Lucassen himself and inspired by fantasy and science fiction. Even collaborations with other artists are limited on this album and, with the exception of Edward Reekers (former Kayak), there are no known names. Our artist plays or samples all the instruments, and perhaps due to this, being free from narrative constraints or influences from other musicians, is the feeling that Arjen has everything under control.

The “title track” opens the album and is nothing more than a brief grandiose keyboard intro that prepares the way for the first beautiful track of the album: “Abbey of Synn”. The Abbey of Sin immediately shows us the darker side of the album, amidst technological sounds, filtered voices, and Gregorian-like choruses. But it is Lucassen's guitar that is the true protagonist of the piece: in its powerful riffs, but especially in the inspired central solo that is then resumed by the synth in the final part. The next song “The Stranger Within” is chosen as a promotional video for the album. The track is driven by an enveloping rhythm, accompanied by the liquid sounds of synthesizers, over which the usual filtered voice is layered. It continues with another strong piece “Computer Eyes”, which starts slow and evocative with touches of acoustic guitar over a bed of airy keyboards and a synth sound that emulates a pounding bass. The apparent calm is shattered by a granitic guitar riff that insinuates itself with a play of volumes, transforming the track into a gallop with a compelling rhythm. “Beyond The Last Horizon” alternates catchy, almost pop passages, with more acoustic ones with dreamy keyboards in the background. “Farside Of The World” is more or less in line with the previous track, a sunny song characterized by the baroque sounds of the synths. But “Back To Planet Earth” picks up the darker atmospheres of the early tracks, between futuristic keyboards and elaborate riffs, the usual filtered voice, and a captivating chorus. It closes with the sweet ballad “Forevermore”, another strong piece of the album, which starts with acoustic arpeggios and sweet and evocative synths, introducing a beautiful crescendo finale in which a violin is inserted.

Although Lucassen has produced many valid albums, sometimes even more complex and intricate in terms of instrumentation, in my opinion, “Actual Fantasy” in its apparent simplicity represents the perfection of arrangements and the right stylistic compromise. A work that directly transports the listener into the world of fantasy so dear to our musician.