Continuing Streak of Progressive Rock Excellence - A Review of Star One's Revel in Time

Whenever Dutch innovator Arjen Anthony Lucassen releases a new record, it's a celebration day for progressive rock and metal fans around the world. At the age of sixty-one, the Dutch giant currently experiences a second spring as could be witnessed with the last release by Ayreon entitled Transitus that was an atmospheric conceptual progressive metal opera of the grandest quality. Twelve years after its last studio album, the mastermind has now revived his project Star One with its excellent third studio album Revel in Time. It might not be as great as the latest Ayreon offering but it comes very close and should be of interest for any progressive rock and metal fan.

This album comes along with two discs, both featuring the same eleven songs but different choices regarding the impressive number of skilled vocalists. Both the regular version and the alternative version convince in their different imaginative facets and offer much replay value. This certainly is an album to discover over and over again as patient listeners will be rewarded while those who prefer downloads, playlists and singles might not fully grasp the excellent quality of this output.

For the sake of sanity, I will refer to the regular versions of the different songs. Opener ''Fate of Men'' starts with wonderfully atmospheric keyboard layers before vibrant bass guitar, tight drums and powerful guitar riffs transform this song into a catchy up-tempo stomper that represents a perfect single choice. Vocals are provided by confident, energetic and natural Brittney Hayes of up-and-coming Canadian power metal band Unleash the Archers that shows that Arjen Anthony Lucassen isn't living in the past but very well aware of the next generation of talented musicians and singers.

Now, if you want epic progressive rock masterpieces, you will certainly get some on Revel in Time. ''28 Days (Till the End of Time)'' for instance oozes with cinematic atmosphere, subtle changes and creative ideas as it clocks in at seven and a half minutes. In this case, the vocals are provided by regular collaborator Michael Romeo and his boundless passion, impressive range and remarkable talent are used much better in the projects of the Dutch wizard than in his main band Symphony X that has released its last lacklustre effort almost seven years ago and hasn't been doing much ever since. It's quite remarkable that Arjen Anthony Lucassen is able to use his guest musicians and singers better than they are able to do themselves in their regular bands. This underlines the mastermind's empathy, experience and vision.

''Today Is Yesterday'' certainly deserves a special shoutout. This gritty, mysterious and sinister progressive gothic metal masterpiece pushes the boundaries as the project and its mastermind break new ground. Vocals are provided by Swedish multitasker Dan Swanö who has participated in more bands and projects that I could mention. His gloomy, low and menacing vocal style is one of a kind. You're either going to love or to loathe it. As you can read, I'm most definitely in the former camp as this song is the record's hidden gem for me.

Ambitious album closer and courageous single choice ''Lost Children of the Universe'' clocks in at nearly ten minutes and combines smooth progressive rock soundscapes with some atmospheric doom metal passages. Vocals are provided by perfect candidate Tony Martin, Black Sabbath's most underrated vocalist who hasn't released anything noteworthy in two and a half decades. Now that he convinces with his charismatic, emotional and gloomy vocals on Revel in Time, he also attempts to restart his solo career and certainly deserves some attention after leaving such a remarkable impression here.

As you can read, Star One's Revel in Time is an atmospheric, creative and playful progressive rock and metal milestone that continues Arjen Anthony Lucassen's streak of excellent releases throughout the past five years in particular. This record might already be an early candidate for album of the year for genre fans. Let's hope that the mastermind's impressive streak continues and that this material might even be performed in concert once the pandemic is finally over.

Final Rating: 90%