Universal Migrator
JJ - DPRP
May 2000
Regrettably 'Flight Of The Migrator' lacks the beautiful artwork by the Belgian painter Bertels, who was responsible for Dream Sequencer and The Electric Castle. According to Lucassen, it underlines the differences between both records.
And different they are: part 2 of this set kicks in from the first minute with fast guitars, keyboards and beating drums. Don't play this in your car, you will end up paying bills for driving too fast! Indeed this is pure, but structured Chaos. Dawn of a Million Souls is simply awesome. From the first tones of the Hammond-organ to the string-arrangements on top of it and the deep bass-line: excellent. I really love the high and powerful voice of Russel Allen. This song echoes the spirit of the Final Experiment, but Lucassen doesn't repeat himself at all. The orchestral interlude is right at the spot. This song is a definite candidate for 'best track of the year'.
An orchestral arrangement introduces Journey on the Waves of Time. This track could have been taken from 'Electric Castle': fast, haunting and bombastic. Beating drums accompany the vocals in the verses, the choruses consist of instrumental parts. Highlight in this track: Erik Norlander on Hammond.
Acoustic guitars and distorted vocals comes together in the first, quieter, part of To The Quasar. It contrasts in a great way with Quasar 3C273, the heavy, second part of the song. This second part starts with an almost Vangelis-like key-sound, but soon changes in to a real metal-riff. It becomes clear that Lucassen has a subscription to great singers, 'cause Andi Deris is another revelation to me. And the best is yet to come...
...because Into The Black Hole probably is the track everyone has been waiting for. And Bruce Dickinson doesn't leave you disappointed. Lucassen's challenge was to let Dickinson do something different. For this reason he didn't let him sing Through The Wormhole, which is a much more Maiden-ish track. Into The Black Hole proves Bruce is still in top-condition. Lucassen assured me that the long 'univeeee-eeeerse' is no trick! The progressive nature of the track makes Dickinson almost sound like Queensryche's Geoff Tate at moments. Not only because of these extraordinary vocals, but also because of the intense middle part of the track, Into The Black Hole is the second highlight (in a field of heights) of the album to me.
Into The Wormhole has a great up-beat drive. As said, the chorus has a very Maiden-ish sound (Aces High come to mind). Shadow Gallery's Gary Wehrkamp provides both guitar and keyboard-solo's. Fabio Lione has the ungrateful task to sing right after Dickinson. Although Lione has a great voice (no bad singers on this album!), I think he sounds a bit 'flat' at moments.
The excellent sound of a rough Hammond starts Out The White Hole. Despite the fun repeating riff, it's not very clear where this track is going to. For the length of this song, it lacks enough creativity to catch attention all 7 minutes. However, it gives room for another great voice: Timo Kotipelto. Erik Norlander shines again, soling in the middle part of the track.
To The Solar System starts as if Lucassen is holding back a wild horse. After a few minutes, the wild guitars break loose. On top of the riffs (played on a Gibson), Lucassen can be found soloing (on a Fender). One should almost forget that he's a great guitar-player as well. ,p>Vengeance-mate Ian Parry has the honourable duty to close the chapter called 'Universal Migrator'. Drums and deep, dark sounds (voices?) lead to the orchestral part of The New Migrator. Right after this 'Methamorphosis' the opening theme of the album kicks in once more. 'Sleeper Awake' is the very apt title for this fast part, because -even if you managed to fall asleep- you will be woken up immediately at this point. Fortunately, this musical journey is no dream at all... it's the reality of your CD-player.
Conclusion: Although I consider myself a 'progger' much more than a 'rocker', I like the second CD much more than the first one. It's much more adventurous, especially the first 6 tracks, which feature many musical twists and turns. But I should warn you as well: where 'Dream Sequencer' requires some patience, 'Flight of the Migrator' requires some strong nerves and a good condition. Personally, I wouldn't mind a resting point on this album after half an hour. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Lucassen has taken a risk by 'splitting' his hard and soft side. By replacing (for example!) track 7 and 8 of the second album by tracks 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the first (and changing the order) the album would have had a bit more balance. At least it would result in my collection of favourite tracks ;-). However, Lucassen shows with these two albums that he's a very versatile composer. Both albums contain elements for everyone, 'proggers' and 'rockers' alike.
Conclusion: 9 out of 10