''Revel in Time'' is the third studio album by

Arjen Anthony Lucassen Arjen Anthony Lucassen (born 3 April 1960) is a Dutch singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist musician and record producer best known for his long-running progressive metal/ rock opera project Ayreon. Lucassen started his career in 1980 as t ...

progressive metal Progressive metal (sometimes shortened to prog metal) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified guitar-driven sound of the former with the more experimental, cerebral ...

project/

supergroup Supergroup or super group may refer to: * Supergroup (music), a music group formed by artists who are already notable or respected in their fields * Supergroup (physics), a generalization of groups, used in the study of supersymmetry * Supergroup ...

Star One Star One was an Indian pay television network based in Mumbai. It was launched on 1 November 2004 and was it owned by Star TV and distributed worldwide by Fox International Channels. In November 2006, Star One was launched in the UK on Sky. ...

, released via

Inside Out Inside Out may refer to: *Backwards (disambiguation) or inverse Books * '' Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd'', by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason * ''Inside Out'', Christian book by Larry Crabb * ''Inside Out'', novel by Barry Eisler ...

on 18 February 2022. As with previous Star One albums, here Lucassen focuses on the "metal" side of his main project

Ayreon Ayreon is a musical project by Dutch songwriter, singer, musician and record producer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Ayreon's music is described as progressive rock, progressive metal and power metal sometimes combined with genres such as folk, electr ...

while dispensing with the latter's typical acoustic and folk elements. He saw more hard rock elements on this album. The album's lyrics are inspired by

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imagination, imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, Paral ...

movies and TV series involving time manipulation, such as

time loop The time loop or temporal loop is a plot device in fiction whereby characters re-experience a span of time which is repeated, sometimes more than once, with some hope of breaking out of the cycle of repetition. The term "time loop" is sometimes u ...

s and

time travel Time travel is the concept of movement between certain points in time, analogous to movement between different points in space by an object or a person, typically with the use of a hypothetical device known as a time machine. Time travel is a ...

. The title is inspired by a quote from ''

Blade Runner ''Blade Runner'' is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, and written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos, it is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick ...

''. Unlike previous albums, however, in which the same quartet of four guest vocalists (

Damian Wilson Damian Wilson (born 11 October 1969) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Wilson works in the progressive metal genre and was the lead singer of Headspace and Threshold. He sang and toured with bands and projects for Star One, Ayreo ...

Dan Swanö Dan-Erland Swanö (born 10 March 1973), also known as Dan "The Man" Swanö, is a Swedish musician and record producer who is currently the vocalist, guitarist, ex-bassist and ex-drummer for the band Nightingale, lately vocalist, keyboardist and ...

Floor Jansen Floor Jansen (; born 21 February 1981) is a Dutch singer and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Jansen first became known as a member of symphonic metal band After Forever, standing as their lead voca ...

and

Russell Allen Russell Allen (born July 19, 1971) is an American singer best known as the vocalist of the progressive metal band Symphony X. He has also worked with the supergroups Star One, Allen-Lande, Level 10, and as one of fourteen vocalists in the pr ...

) would participate in the main songs, ''Revel in Time'' features several different vocalists, one for each track, including

Roy Khan Roy Sætre Khantatat ( th, รอย ขันธทัต; born 12 March 1970), commonly known as Roy Khan, is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. He is the lead singer for progressive metal band Conception and the former lead vocalist for symph ...

, Tony Martin,

Jeff Scott Soto Jeff Scott Soto (born November 4, 1965) is an American rock singer of Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for being the vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums, and (briefly) the lead vocalist for Journey in 2006–2007. Soto also ...

Joe Lynn Turner Joe Lynn Turner (born Joseph Arthur Mark Linquito, August 2, 1951) is an American singer known for his work in the hard rock bands Rainbow, Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Deep Purple. During his career, Turner fronted and played guitar with pop ro ...

and the four aforementioned ones. This was partly due to the international travel restrictions caused by the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified ...

. It also features guitar and keyboard solos by guest instrumentalists, such as

Jens Johansson Jens Ola Johansson (born 2 November 1963 in Stockholm) is a Swedish keyboardist and pianist who currently plays in the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and Ritchie Blackmore's rock project Rainbow. He is notable for his high-speed neocla ...

Steve Vai Steven Siro Vai (; born June 6, 1960) is an American guitarist, composer, songwriter, and producer. A three-time Grammy Award winner and fifteen-time nominee, Vai started his music career in 1978 at the age of eighteen as a transcriptionist f ...

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Ronald Jay Blumenthal (born September 25, 1969), better known by his stage name Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal or just simply as Bumblefoot, is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He adopted his nickname from the bacterial infection of the s ...

and

Adrian Vandenberg Adrian Vandenberg (born 31 January 1954 as Adriaan van den Berg) is a Dutch rock guitarist, best known for his tenure as one of the guitarists in Whitesnake during their successful late 1980s period and the band Vandenberg which he started in ...

Release and promotion

The first song and video to be released was the epic closing track "Lost Children of the Universe". The song appears on the album sung by either

(CD 1) or Tony Martin (CD 2), but the video is a special version combining both their performances. It was followed on 17 November by "Fate of Man", featuring Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers) and

Michael Romeo Michael James Romeo (born March 6, 1968) is an American guitarist and a founding member of the progressive metal group Symphony X. He is one of two members to appear on every Symphony X release (the other being Michael Pinnella). Romeo was ra ...

(Symphony X). The third single and video, "Prescient", features Ross Jennings and Micheal Mills and was released on 17 December 2021. The title-track was released as the last single and video on 19 January 2022, featuring Brandon Yeagley. The album was released as a 2-CD digipak, deluxe 3-CD+Blu-ray artbook, 180 gram gatefold 2-LP. The artbook comes with a Blu-ray with 5.1 mix high-resolution audio version and behind the scenes footage.

Reception

''Metal Injection''s Jordan Blum said Lucassen "and his troupe continue to do remarkably enticing and creative things" and commented that "it may take half a dozen deep listens for a few songs to reveal their specialties and set themselves apart from the pack", concluding that the album is "a superb return from progressive metal's greatest composer, as well as one of the finest genre albums you'll hear this year". In Tuonela Magazine, editor Laureline Tilkin considered ''Revel in Time'' "the most dynamic" of the three Star One albums, besides saying it overall "has a lighter character". She ultimately called it "an instant prog classic that everyone who is remotely interested in Arjen Lucassen's work should listen to". Writing for ''Sonic Perspectives'', John Kokel said "for not being an actual Ayreon album, this may be Arjen's best Ayreon album since ''

The Human Equation ''The Human Equation'' is the sixth album from the progressive rock project Ayreon by Dutch musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released on 25 May 2004 via Inside Out Music. As with other Ayreon albums, it features guest appearances from several ...

''. He reasoned that comparing it with Ayreon albums would be more fair than doing the same with Star One albums since this effort "seems to be the best, most diverse, and best produced of the Star One albums".

Track listing

Personnel

Star One *

– guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals on "Today Is Yesterday" (alternate version), guitar solo on "Beyond the Edge of It All" * Erik van Ittersum – Solina Strings *

Ed Warby Edward R. Warby (born 7 March 1968) is a Dutch musician, best known as the drummer for death metal band Gorefest and progressive rock/metal project Ayreon. He also appeared in the band Agressor in 1982 and joined the Eindhoven-based metal ban ...

– drums *

Marcela Bovio Marcela Alejandra Bovio García (born October 17, 1979) is a Mexican singer and violinist who is currently a member of the Dutch symphonic death metal band MaYaN. In 1995, she joined Hydra, a Mexican metal band, singing and playing violin. In ...

– vocals on "Fate of Man" (alternate version) and "A Hand on the Clock" (alternate version), backing vocals *

Irene Jansen Irene Jansen is a Dutch singer. She sang on the Ayreon album ''The Human Equation'', portraying the character Passion. She was also the live backing vocalist of Star One during their tour in 2003, and played the character Morgana in two Gary Hugh ...

– vocals on "A Hand on the Clock" (alternate version), backing vocals * Hellscore Choir – vocals Guest instrumentalists *

(Symphony X) – guitar solo on "Fate of Man" (both versions) * Timo Somers (

Delain Delain is a Dutch symphonic metal band formed in 2002 by former Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt, intending for the band to be solely a project. Singer Charlotte Wessels was invited to join in 2005. The name of the band comes ...

) – guitar solo on "28 Days (Till the End of Time)" (both versions) *

(

Sons of Apollo Sons of Apollo is an American progressive metal supergroup formed in 2017 and composed of drummer Mike Portnoy, bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboardist Derek Sherinian, vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, and guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. History Sherinia ...

, ex-

Guns 'N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKa ...

) – guitar solo on "Back from the Past" (both versions) *

( Vandenberg,

Whitesnake Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entit ...

) – guitar solo on "Revel in Time" (both versions) *

(

Stratovarius Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1985. Since their formation, they have released sixteen studio albums, five DVDs and six live albums. In its history, the band has gone through many chaotic lineup changes, and after f ...

Cain's Offering Cain's Offering is a Finnish power metal supergroup that formed in 2008. History Cain's Offering was formed by former Sonata Arctica members Jani Liimatainen and Mikko Härkin, Stratovarius singer Timo Kotipelto, Norther and Wintersun b ...

, ex-

Rainbow A rainbow is a meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky. It takes the form of a multicoloured circular arc. Rainbows ...

, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) — keyboard solo on "The Year of '41" *

Joel Hoekstra Joel Hoekstra (born December 13, 1970) is an American guitarist currently in the band Whitesnake. Hoekstra also tours as a guitarist for Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The son of classical musicians, he started out playing cello and piano at a young ...

(

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is an American rock band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli (both members of Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel ...

, ex-

Night Ranger Night Ranger is an American hard rock band from San Francisco formed in 1979 that gained popularity during the 1980s with a series of albums and singles. Guitarist Brad Gillis and drummer Kelly Keagy have been the band's only constant members ...

) - guitar solo on "The Year of '41" *

Alessandro Del Vecchio Alessandro Del Vecchio (born 21 April 1979) is an Italian multi-instrumentalist and producer, best known for his collaborations with hard rock and heavy metal artists such as Jørn Lande, Revolution Saints, Hardline, Fergie Frederiksen, Ted Pole ...

– keyboard solo on "The Year of '41" (alternate version) * Marcel Singor – guitar solo on "Today is Yesterday" (both versions) *

Lisa Bella Donna Lisa Bella Donna is an American musician and composer known for her use of modular synthesizers and musique concrète compositions. Career Bella Donna released her first solo work in 1994. In 2019, she released 10 full-length albums, which she ...

– Moog solo on "Today is Yesterday" (both versions) *

Joost van den Broek Joost () was an Internet TV service, created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis (founders of Skype and Kazaa). During 2007–2008 Joost used peer-to-peer TV (P2PTV) technology to distribute content to their Mozilla-based desktop player; in l ...

(

After Forever After Forever was a Dutch symphonic metal band with strong progressive metal influences. The band relied on the use of both soprano vocals and death growls. In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded. Singer Floor Ja ...

) – keyboard solo on "A Hand on the Clock" (both versions) *

– guitar solo on "Lost Children of the Universe" (both versions) Technical personnel * Jef Bertels – artwork Guest vocalists * Brittney Slayes ( Unleash the Archers) on "Fate of Man" *

(

Symphony X Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1994, the band consists of guitarist Michael Romeo, keyboardist Michael Pinnella, drummer Jason Rullo, lead vocalist Russell Allen and bassist Michae ...

Adrenaline Mob Adrenaline Mob is an American heavy metal supergroup formed in early 2011 by singer Russell Allen, guitarist Mike Orlando and drummer Mike Portnoy. The band's current lineup consists of Allen, Orlando, and drummer Jordan Cannata. History The ...

) on "28 Days (Till the End of Time)" * Micheal Mills ( Toehider) on "Prescient" * Ross Jennings ( Haken, Novena) on "Prescient" *

(

, ex-

Yngwie Malmsteen Yngwie Johan Malmsteen ( ; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, 30 June 1963) is a Swedish guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical playing style in heavy metal, and has released 22 studio albums in a career spanning ov ...

, ex-

Axel Rudi Pell Axel Rudi Pell (born 27 June 1960) is a German heavy metal guitarist. Career Pell commenced his musical career with Steeler (1984–88) before leaving in 1988 for a solo career. During this time, he has played with such drummers as Jörg Micha ...

) on "Back from the Past" * Brandon Yeagley (

Crobot Crobot is an American hard rock band from Pottsville, Pennsylvania composed of Brandon Yeagley, Chris Bishop, Dan Ryan and Tim Peugh. Beginnings In the mid-2011, Brandon Yeagley and Chris Bishop created Crobot, joined later by brothers Paul a ...

) on "Revel in Time" *

(ex-

, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex- Deep Purple) on "The Year of '41" *

(

Headspace Headspace may refer to: *Headspace (company), an online healthcare company specializing in meditation *Headspace (organisation), an Australian non-profit organization for youth mental health *Headspace or ullage, the unfilled space in a container ...

, ex- Threshold) on "Bridge of Life" *

(

Edge of Sanity Edge of Sanity was a Swedish death metal band that, alongside Opeth, is commonly regarded as being the first to fuse extreme metal styles like death and black metal with progressive rock. The group was founded by Dan Swanö in 1989 and ended ...

Nightingale The common nightingale, rufous nightingale or simply nightingale (''Luscinia megarhynchos''), is a small passerine bird best known for its powerful and beautiful song. It was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now ...

Witherscape Witherscape is a progressive death metal band from Sweden run by multi-instrumentalists Dan Swanö and Ragnar Widerberg. Witherscape released an album, ''The Inheritance'', in 2013 which featured Eddie Risdal, Paul Kuhr, Joel Selsfors and M ...

) on "Today Is Yesterday" *

(

Nightwish Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka N ...

, Northward,

ReVamp Revamp may refer to: Changes *Revamp, informal term for maintenance, repair, and operations *Revamp, informal term for editing Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic m ...

) on "Hand on the Clock" * John Jaycee Cuijpers (

Praying Mantis Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They hav ...

) on "Beyond the Edge of It All", "28 Days (Till the End of Time)" (alternative version), "Back From the Past" (alternate version), "Revel in Time" (alternate version) *

( Conception, ex-

Kamelot Kamelot is an American power metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed by Thomas Youngblood, in 1987. The Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album '' Siége Perilous'', and shared songwriting credit with Youngblood until his departure in ...

) on "Lost Children of the Universe" *

(

Mayan Mayan most commonly refers to: * Maya peoples, various indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and northern Central America * Maya civilization, pre-Columbian culture of Mesoamerica and northern Central America * Mayan languages, language family spoken ...

, ex- Elfonía, ex-

Stream of Passion Stream of Passion is a Dutch progressive metal band with symphonic and gothic influences founded by guitarist and composer Arjen Anthony Lucassen and Mexican singer, violinist, and lyricist Marcela Bovio. They have released four studio albums. In ...

, ex-

VUUR VUUR ("fire", "passion" or "drive") is a Dutch progressive metal band formed in 2016 by singer and lyricist Anneke van Giersbergen and musicians she has worked with previously in bands like The Gentle Storm or her own solo band. The band is in ...

) on "Fate of Man" (alternative version) and "A Hand on the Clock" (alternative version) * Will Shaw on "Prescient" (alternative version) *

on "The Year of '41" (alternative version) * Wilmer Waarbroek on "Bridge of Life" (alternative version) *

on "A Hand on the Clock" (alternative version) *

Mike Andersson Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and document ...

on "Beyond the Edge of It All" (alternate version) * Tony Martin (ex-

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. The band helped de ...

) on "Lost Children of the Universe" (alternate version)

Charts

References

* {{Authority control Star One albums Inside Out Music albums 2022 albums