The Final Experiment
The Laser's Edge
1995
The Final Experiment (Netherlands $16). I'm a sucker for these big bombastic over the top productions - and this one's a killer. The mastermind behind this "rock opera" is metal guitarist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. The musicians that help out are a who's who of Dutch rock: Cleem Determeijer and Peter Vink from Finch, Barry Hay from Golden Earring, Edwark Reekers from Kayak, Lenny Wolf (ex-Kingdom Come), and a host more. Lucassen is the lead guitarist who plays in a shred-metal style. Determeijer is featured prominently on the album. His keyboard work will instantly remind you of Finch - those trademark lightning organ runs, flourishes of synth and Mellotron.
The conceptual album features some brief narrative that links the various parts of the story together. Luckily the narration is minimal. There are long extended instrumental passages throughout. The recording is done on an epic scale - it makes Glass Hammer sound like they record in a crackerbox! With so many contributors it could easily fall apart but Lucassen is the glue that holds it all together. His modern guitar style is the perfect counterpoint to the more traditional sounding symphonic keyboards. This one's taken a lot of visits to the silver machine since its arrival. Recommended.