• disc one: y

    1. age of shadows

    [tom englund]
    we never saw this coming
    pride comes before a fall
    we never heeded the warnings
    buried deep within us all

    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [daniel gildenlöw] giant machines blot out our sun
    [steve lee] frozen minds becoming numb
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun
    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [daniel gildenlöw] i won’t accept what we’ve become
    [steve lee] we stand to lose more than we’ve won
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun

    [tom englund]
    our quenchless thirst for knowledge
    our urge to change and grow
    our need to expand the nation
    made us rise from the depths below

    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [daniel gildenlöw] giant machines blot out our sun
    [steve lee] frozen minds becoming numb
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun
    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [daniel gildenlöw] i won’t accept what we’ve become
    [steve lee] we stand to lose more than we’ve won
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun

    [hansi kürsch] no more aggression
    [floor jansen] no more initiative
    [hansi kürsch] no more suppression
    [floor jansen] no more emotions
    [hansi kürsch] no more recession
    [floor jansen] no more of all the feelings we shared that made us who we really are
    [hansi kürsch] no more possessions
    [floor jansen] no more euphoria
    [hansi kürsch] no more obsessions
    [floor jansen] no more sensations
    [hansi kürsch] no more depression
    [floor jansen] no more of all the passions that shaped our hearts and made us who we are

    we are forever

    [jonas renkse]
    time… but a passageway…
    the beginning of the end…
    an end that never was…
    time… but a curve in space…

    we are forever
    eternal prisoners in time…
    we are forever
    caught in our cold inertia
    longing, hoping, waiting, for no one…

    [anneke van giersbergen]
    forever we yearn, forever we learn
    forever we live a lie, forever slipping by and
    forever we flee, forever we will be,
    forever is but a dream, forever is but a scream and
    forever we try, forever we die

    the spell of love wore off
    the zest for life not enough

    longing, hoping, waiting, for no one…
    never enough

    zero (one) one (zero) one (zero) zero (zero)
    zero (one) one (zero) zero (one) zero (one)
    zero (one) one (zero) one (one) zero (zero)
    zero (one) one (one) zero (zero) zero (zero)
    zero (one) one (zero) one (zero) zero (zero)
    zero (one) one (zero) zero (one) zero (one)
    zero (one) one (zero) one (one) zero (zero)
    zero (one) one (one) zero (zero) zero (zero)

    [above translates to 'help help']

    off (on) on (off) off (on) on (off)
    off (on) on (off) on (on) on (on)
    off (on) on (on) off (off) on (off)
    off (on) on (off) off (on) off (on)
    off (on) on (on) off (on) on (off)
    off (on) on (off) off (on) off (on)
    off (on) on (on) off (off) on (off)

    [above translates to 'forever']

    no (yeah) yeah (yeah) no (no) yeah (yeah)
    no (yeah) yeah (no) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
    no (yeah) yeah (yeah) no (no) yeah (yeah)
    no (yeah) yeah (yeah) no (no) yeah (yeah)
    no (yeah) yeah (no) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
    no (yeah) yeah (yeah) no (no) yeah (yeah)

    [above translates to 'sos sos']

    longing, hoping, waiting, for no one

    forever we try, forever we die, forever, forever
    forever we try, forever we die, forever, forever
    forever we tie, forever we die, forever, forever

    [jonas renkse] longing… hoping… waiting… for no one…

    [hansi kürsch] no more aggression
    [floor jansen] no more initiative
    [hansi kürsch] no more suppression
    [floor jansen] no more emotions
    [hansi kürsch] no more recession
    [floor jansen] no more of all the feelings we shared that made us who we really are
    [hansi kürsch] no more possessions
    [floor jansen] no more euphoria
    [hansi kürsch] no more obsessions
    [floor jansen] no more sensations
    [hansi kürsch] no more depression
    [floor jansen] no more of all the passions that shaped our hearts and made us who we are

    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [jørn lande] the age of shadows!
    [daniel gildenlöw] giant machines blot out our sun
    [steve lee] frozen minds becoming numb
    [jørn lande] blot out our sun! yeah yeah!
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun
    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [jørn lande] frozen minds becoming numb
    [daniel gildenlöw] i won’t accept what we’ve become
    [steve lee] we stand to lose more than we’ve won
    [jørn lande] more than we’ve won
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun

    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [jørn lande] the age of shadows!
    [daniel gildenlöw] giant machines blot out our sun
    [steve lee] frozen minds becoming numb
    [jørn lande] giant machines blot out the sun
    [daniel gildenlöw] the age of shadows has begun
    [steve lee] the age of shadows has begun
    [jørn lande] the age of shadows! yeah!
    [daniel gildenlöw] i won’t accept what we’ve become
    [steve lee] we stand to lose more than we’ve won
    [daniel gildenlöw and jørn lande] the age of shadows has begun

    [tom englund]
    we never heeded the warning
    buried deep within us all

    ---------------------------------------

    2. comatose

    [anneke van giersbergen:]
    no need… no need to feel the pain
    no need to feel betrayed
    no need to feel inane
    no need to feel afraid

    [jørn lande:]
    wake me up before i die, hold me close
    as i gaze upon the sky, comatose
    no reason to survive, i suppose
    wake us up before we die

    [anneke van giersbergen:] no need to feel desire
    [jørn lande:] but i need you with me
    [anneke van giersbergen:] no need to feel so small
    [jørn lande:] but i need to feel secure
    [anneke van giersbergen:] no need to feel the fire
    [jørn lande:] but i need to feel free
    [anneke van giersbergen:] no need to feel at all
    [jørn lande:] but i need to know for sure

    [jørn lande:]
    wake me up before i die, hold me close
    as i gaze upon the sky, comatose
    no reason to survive, i suppose
    wake us up before we die

    ---------------------------------------

    3. liquid eternity

    [jonas renkse:]
    once a world, endless and free
    horizons unbroken
    now a world of bounded frontiers
    the elders have spoken… our home

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    once a world, eternal and blue
    floating, escaping
    now a world that’s blinding my view
    shadows shaping… alone

    [magali luyten:]
    liquid eternity crosses through our veins
    liquid eternity nourishes our brains
    liquid eternity, a world that does not live
    liquid eternity, a life that does not yield

    [bob catley:]
    once a world of fear and dismay
    of fleeing and hiding
    now a world that’s peaceful and safe
    so caring and providing our home…

    [magali luyten:]
    liquid eternity crosses through our veins
    liquid eternity nourishes our brains
    liquid eternity, a world that does not live
    liquid eternity, a life that does not yield

    [tom englund:]
    would you prefer the pain and suffering we had?
    would you prefer to be in peril, even dead?
    would you prefer to live the life we’ve learned to dread?
    would you prefer to live a mortal life instead?

    [jonas renkse:] our home

    [jørn lande:] i’m losing my reason to live. the essence of life
    [floor jansen:] but the system’s got so much to give or would you rather die?
    [jørn lande:] i’m losing my pride and my joy, my will to believe
    [floor jansen:] why would you come back and destroy all we have achieved?

    [magali luyten:]
    liquid eternity crosses through our veins
    liquid eternity nourishes our brains
    liquid eternity, a world that does not live
    liquid eternity, a life that does not yield

    [tom englund:]
    would you prefer the pain and suffering we had?
    would you prefer to be in peril, even dead?
    would you prefer to live the life we’ve loved to play?
    would you prefer to live a mortal life instead?

    [magali luyten:]
    liquid eternity crosses through our veins
    liquid eternity nourishes our brains

    [tom englund:]
    would you prefer the pain and suffering we had?
    would you prefer to be in peril, even dead?
    would you prefer to live the life we’ve learned to dread?
    would you prefer to live a mortal life instead?

    [jonas renkse:] our home

    ---------------------------------------

    4. connect the dots

    [ty tabor:]
    i hugged the wife and drove to work today
    it was only a few miles
    was in a hurry but the lights were changing up ahead
    so i stepped on the gas
    i checked the web and left it on over night
    downloading all the latest files
    peer-to-peer, the torrent flows into my lap
    and i disconnect

    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, no need to remind us
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know but won’t connect the dots
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, locked away inside us
    [ty tabor and arjen lucassen:] we are dying for tomorrow, we are living for today

    [ty tabor:]
    i rushed back home to my family
    i got my son a brand new game
    no need to cook, i picked up fast food on the way
    and it’s finger-licking good
    have you seen little steve today?
    guess he’s still up there in his room
    but if he comes down to me
    i’ll be right here just staring at the tube
    playing his game

    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, no need to remind us
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know but won’t connect the dots
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, locked away inside us
    [ty tabor and arjen lucassen:] we are dying for tomorrow, we are living for today

    [ty tabor:]
    don’t you think it’s rather warm tonight
    especially for the time of year
    i turn up the air
    pull the sheets up to my chin
    and i close my eyes
    can’t relax, can’t fall asleep
    should i take another pill?
    i turn up the lights, light up a cigarette and smile
    i’ve got it made

    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, no need to remind us
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know but won’t connect the dots
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, locked away inside us
    [ty tabor and arjen lucassen:] we are dying for tomorrow

    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, no need to remind us
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know but won’t connect the dots
    [ty tabor:] we all know
    [arjen lucassen:] we all know, locked away inside us
    [ty tabor and arjen lucassen:] we are dying for tomorrow, we are living for today

    ---------------------------------------

    5. beneath the waves

    [part i - beneath the waves]

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    the water breaks the golden sunrays
    silver dances on the waves
    but a memory…
    i often dream about the old days
    playing hide and seek within the caves
    but a memory…

    [bob catley:]
    i still feel the rising tides embrace me
    carrying me to a place unknown
    but a memory…
    i remember all the love they gave me
    in this fluid world we call our home
    but a memory…

    [anneke van giersbergen:]
    beneath the waves we were invincible
    in a world without frontiers
    [floor jansen:] world without walls
    [anneke van giersbergen:]
    beneath the waves we were inseparable
    in a world without walls

    [steve lee:]
    faces of cerulean oceans
    mirroring stars and sable skies
    but a memory…
    how i miss the scent of sweet emotions
    of a world so pure, devoid of cries
    but a memory…

    [jørn lande:] beneath the waves we were unbeatable
    [floor jansen:] in the silence of the sea
    [jørn lande:] in a world without frontiers
    [floor jansen:] world without walls
    [jørn lande:] beneath the waves we were untouchable
    [floor jansen:] in the kingdom of the free
    [jørn lande:] in a world without walls

    [steve lee:] beneath the waves we were invincible
    [floor jansen:] in the silence of the sea
    [steve lee:] in a world without frontiers
    [floor jansen:] world without walls
    [steve lee:] beneath the waves we were inseparable
    [floor jansen:] in the kingdom of the free
    [steve lee:] in a world without walls

    [part ii - face the facts]

    [hansi kürsch, anneke van giersbergen and floor jansen:]
    face the facts, there is no way back
    arise! it’s time to act
    face the facts, our future is black
    arise, we´re on the wrong track

    [part iii - but a memory…]

    [tom englund:]
    water breaks the golden sunrays
    silver dances on the waves
    but a memory…
    i often dream about the old days
    playing hide and seek within the caves
    but a memory…

    [part iv - world without walls]

    [jørn lande:] beneath the waves we were unbeatable
    [floor jansen:] in the silence of the sea
    [jørn lande:] in a world without frontiers
    [floor jansen:] world without walls
    [jørn lande:] beneath the waves we were untouchable
    [floor jansen:] in our kingdom of the free
    [jørn lande:] in a world without walls
    [floor jansen:] world without walls
    [jørn lande:] beneath the waves we were invincible
    [floor jansen:] in the silence of the sea
    [jørn lande:] in a world without frontiers
    beneath the waves we were inseparable
    [floor jansen:] in our kingdom of the free
    [jørn lande:] in a world without walls

    [part v - reality bleeds]

    [instrumental]

    ---------------------------------------

    6. newborn race

    [part i - the incentive]

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    there must be a way to enrich our lives
    a way to awaken a nation that dies
    there must be a way to revive our past
    a way to break free from a world that won’t last

    [floor jansen:]
    take me back to when we lived another life
    back to when we had no plan
    take me back to when we struggled to survive
    back to when it all began

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    there must be a way to reverse history
    a way to resume life, return to the sea
    there must be a way to win back what we lost
    a way to escape this, whatever the cost

    [floor jansen:]
    take me back to when we lived another life
    back to when we had no plan
    take me back to when we struggled to survive
    back to when it all began

    [part ii - the vision]

    [tom englund:]
    explore the vastness of space
    discover a wonderful place
    enter a brand new phase
    seed the world with a newborn race

    [part iii - the procedure]

    [jonas renkse:]
    we have no choice
    life is passing us by
    we should rejoice
    i say we should try

    [bob catley:]
    every million cycles
    shooting stars rip our sky
    we could divert them
    on the day they pass us by

    [hansi kürsch:]
    and on that shining day there is a way
    for our dna to reach a world to stay

    [jørn lande:]
    hmmm…
    do we have the right to create life?
    and do we have the right to take it?
    can we decide who lives and dies?
    do you think they would even make it?

    [jonas renkse:]
    we have no choice, life is passing us by

    [bob catley:]
    we'll plant our seeds
    and guide them to their goal
    we cannot fail, we have absolute control

    [hansi kürsch:]
    and on that shining day there is a way
    for our dna to reach a world to stay

    [jørn lande:]
    hmmm…
    do we have the right to play gods?
    i strongly feel i have to make a stance
    do you think we should take the odds?
    would they even stand a chance?
    i don’t think they ever will
    ever will… no…

    [part iv - another life]

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    take me back to when we lived another life
    back to when we had no plan
    take me back to when we struggled to survive
    back to when it all began

    [bob catley:]
    take us back to when we lived another life
    back to when we had no plan
    take us back to when we struggled to survive
    back to when it all began

    [floor jansen:]
    take me back to when we lived another life
    back to when we had no plan
    take me back to when we struggled to survive
    back to when it all began

    [part v - newborn race]

    [jørn lande:] explore the vastness of space
    discover a wonderful place
    enter a brand new phase
    [jonas renkse:] we should rejoice!
    [jørn lande:] seed the world with a newborn race
    [jonas renkse:] i say we should try
    [jørn lande:] explore the vastness of space
    discover a wonderful place (do we have the rights?)
    enter a brand new phase
    seed the world with a newborn race (we cannot fail!)

    [part vi - the conclusion]

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    we found a way to enrich our lives
    a way to awaken the nation that dies

    ---------------------------------------

    7. ride the comet

    [jørn lande:] find your way home, little extremophiles
    [floor jansen:] fly, beloved sons
    [tom englund:] find your way home, donors of life
    [floor jansen:] fly, my chosen ones
    [jonas renkse:] you’re on your own, little extremophiles
    [floor jansen:] ride your frozen ark
    [bob catley:] you’re on your own, cleaving the skies
    [floor jansen:] ride into the dark

    [magali luyten:]
    carry out our dangerous task, sail uncharted spheres
    live out our dreams, ride the comet
    journey on the migrator trail, cross the new frontiers
    pass on our genes, ride the comet

    [jørn lande:] you are the future, little extremophiles
    [floor jansen:] fly towards the sun
    [tom englund:] you are the future, you know what to do
    [floor jansen:] fly, it has begun

    [magali luyten:]
    carry out our dangerous task, sail uncharted spheres
    live out our dreams, ride the comet
    journey on the migrator trail, cross the new frontiers
    pass on our genes, ride the comet

    ---------------------------------------

    8. web of lies

    [simone simons:]
    dear px, i feel you are the one
    what’s your name? where are you from?
    i’m in love, though we never met
    looking for clues, i search the net

    dear px, i’m waiting for your name
    check every hour, to no avail
    been up all night, couldn’t get to sleep
    no way out, i’m in too deep

    dear px, it’s been eleven days
    i’m kind of lost within the maze
    are you there? give me but a sign
    are you at home? are you on-line?

    [phideaux xavier:]
    dear simone, i’m sorry for the wait
    i’ve seen your pics, you’re looking great
    i’m all alone, dying for a date
    i think we match, it must be fate

    [simone simons:]
    dear ol, i feel you are the one
    what’s your name? where are you from?
    i’m in love, though we never met
    looking for clues, i search the net

    ---------------------------------------
    ---------------------------------------

    disc two: earth

    1. the fifth extinction

    [part i - glimmer of hope]

    [anneke van giersbergen:] through their eyes we will see
    [bob catley:] with their hands we will create
    [anneke van giersbergen:] in their world we will be free
    [bob catley:] with our minds we’ll shape their fate

    [steve lee:]
    now the die is cast, the first step taken
    a glimmer of hope lights up our lives
    visions of the past, dreams forsaken
    forming right before our eyes
    we’re alive

    [anneke van giersbergen:] through their pain we’ll learn to live
    [bob catley:] remember all life has to give

    [jørn lande:]
    now the die is cast, the first step taken
    a glimmer of hope lights up our lives
    visions of the past, dreams forsaken
    re-ignite the sparkle in our eyes
    we’re alive! so alive!

    [part ii - world of tomorrow dreams]

    [tom englund:] i see a planet, perfect for our needs
    behold our target, a world to plant our seeds
    [steve lee:] there must be life
    first remove any trace of doubt!
    they may all die; don’t you think we should check it out?
    [daniel gildenlöw:] we have no choice, we waited far too long
    this is our planet, this is where they belong
    [jørn lande:] we may regret this
    is this the way it’s supposed to be?
    a cold execution, a mindless act of cruelty!

    [bob catley and hansi kürsch:]
    in the world of tomorrow dreams
    our future lies
    in the world of tomorrow dreams
    our hopes will rise

    [tom englund:] i see mainly reptiles
    a lower form of intelligence
    mere brainless creatures with no demonstrable sentience
    [jørn lande:] what makes us superior; we did not do so great ourselves!
    a dying race, imprisoned in restricted shells

    [bob catley and hansi kürsch:]
    in the world of tomorrow dreams
    our future lies
    in the world of tomorrow dreams
    our hopes will rise

    [part iii - collision course]

    [instrumental]

    [part iv - from the ashes]

    [tom englund:] and as the smoke slowly rises
    [jonas renkse:] our planet’s bare and cold
    [tom englund:] but as the black sky brightens
    [jonas renkse:] a wondrous world unfolds
    [daniel gildenlöw:] we’re at the dawn of a new age
    [bob catley:] as we hear the final cries
    [daniel gildenlöw:] ready to enter the next stage
    [bob catley:] from the ashes we will rise
    [steve lee:] and as the smoke slowly rises
    [hansi kürsch:] our planet’s bare and cold
    [steve lee:] but as the black sky brightens
    [hansi kürsch:] a wondrous world unfolds
    [floor jansen:] we’re at the dawn of a new age
    [jørn lande:] as we hear the final cries
    [floor jansen:] ready to enter the next stage
    [jørn lande:] from the ashes we will rise!

    [part v - glimmer of hope (reprise)]

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    now the die is cast, the first step taken
    a glimmer of hope lights up our lives
    visions of the past, dreams forsaken
    re-ignite the sparkle in our eyes
    we are alive

    ---------------------------------------

    2. waking dreams

    [jonas renkse:]
    life, imagination
    missing link in the chain
    we’ll fuel your minds
    colour your thoughts
    come to you waking dreams
    fire, inspiration
    missing branch on the tree
    we are your root
    we are your blood
    come to you in waking dreams

    [anneke van giersbergen:]
    sail the stream as i dance upon the waves
    of a waking dream as it passes you by
    ride the beam as i rise upon the wings
    of a waking dream as it fades in the sky

    [jonas renkse:]
    mind transformation
    you were chosen
    live the dream that we have been dreaming
    now's the time to come together
    and make it come true
    oh me and you

    [anneke van giersbergen:]
    sail the stream as i dance upon the waves
    of a waking dream as it passes you by
    (dancing on the waves)
    ride the beam as i rise upon the wings
    of a waking dream as it fades in the sky

    ---------------------------------------

    3. the truth is in here

    [arjen lucassen:]
    last night i had that dream again
    my world was black as night
    plagued by visions of a future world

    [liselotte hegt:]
    mr. l, did you take your meds?

    [arjen lucassen:]
    i sang about these dreams
    warning man of his demise
    wasted words that no one heard

    [liselotte hegt:]
    won’t you please relax? i’ll make your bed

    [arjen lucassen:]
    today i had that dream again
    i roamed among the stars
    on the wings of an amazing flight

    [liselotte hegt:]
    mr. l, do we feel ok?

    [arjen lucassen:]
    to a place beyond our time
    where the sunlight doesn’t warm
    and colour bleeds into the night

    [liselotte hegt:]
    we may have to increase your dose today

    [arjen lucassen:] i know the truth is out there
    if you want to see
    i know the truth is in here
    [liselotte hegt:] why should we believe you?
    [arjen lucassen:] if you want to feel

    [arjen lucassen:]
    now i have that dream again
    i live beneath the waves
    in a realm of grace and majesty

    [liselotte hegt:]
    mr. l, can i ease your mind?

    [arjen lucassen:]
    in the distant shadows loom
    cold machines rise from the deep
    in a world once proud and free

    [liselotte hegt:]
    won't you free your thoughts, let it all unwind

    [arjen lucassen:]
    i hate to have that dream again
    they live inside my head
    feeling everything i feel inside

    [liselotte hegt:]
    mr. l, can you please be still?

    [arjen lucassen:]
    they speak to me in dreams
    they can see all i can see
    they have always been my guide

    [liselotte hegt:]
    you gotta hush now please, have another pill!

    [arjen lucassen:] i know the truth is out there
    [liselotte hegt:] why should we believe you?
    [arjen lucassen:] if you want to see
    i know the truth is in here
    [liselotte hegt:] why should we deceive you?
    [arjen lucassen:] if you want to feel

    [liselotte hegt:] we are alone
    there’s no one there
    you don’t have to be afraid
    [arjen lucassen:] can’t you see through this masquerade?
    [liselotte hegt:] we are alone
    [arjen lucassen:] we are all clones
    [liselotte hegt:] there’s no one there
    [arjen lucassen:] i am so scared
    [liselotte hegt:] you don’t have to be afraid

    [arjen lucassen:]
    last night i had that dream again
    my world was black as night
    plagued by visions of a future world

    [liselotte hegt:]
    mr. l, did you take your meds?

    [arjen lucassen:]
    they speak to me in dreams
    they can see all i can see
    they have always been my guide

    [liselotte hegt:]
    won’t you please relax? i’ll make your bed

    [arjen lucassen:] i know the truth is out there
    [liselotte hegt:] why should we believe you?
    [arjen lucassen:] if you want to see
    [liselotte hegt:] why should we deceive you?
    [arjen lucassen:] i know the truth is in here
    [liselotte hegt:] why should we believe you?
    [arjen lucassen:] if you want to feel

    ---------------------------------------

    4. unnatural selection

    [tom englund:]
    we have to teach them all that we know
    their evolution moves far too slow
    expand their minds and reject compliance
    upgrade their knowledge, upload our science

    [steve lee:]
    this revolution will lead to their demise
    we should not make the same mistake twice
    we’re kept alive by artificial means
    but lost our souls to a world of machines

    [jørn lande:] listen to the warning…

    [tom englund:]
    we need to teach them to fight disease
    they seem so helpless and need our expertise
    i see them dying all across the globe
    their greatest foe is but a small microbe

    [steve lee:]
    this sudden change leads to overpopulation
    shifting the balance, destructive habitation
    killing a live, biological invasion
    consuming earth by ruthless exploitation

    [jørn lande:] can you see the fire in their eyes?
    [bob catley:] can you hear the anguish in their cries?
    [jørn lande:] can you see the beauty in their eyes?
    [bob catley:] can you sense the love within their hearts?
    [jørn lande:] i can taste the freedom we once had
    [bob catley:] i can touch their pain when they feel sad
    [jørn lande:] i can smell the fragrance of the air
    [bob catley:] i remember times we used to share

    [hansi kürsch:]
    don’t want to live in a world that’s dying
    i'd rather die in a world that’s living!

    [jørn lande:] listen to the warning…

    "before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction" (jfk)
    "humankind has acquired a collective power and ability to dramatically alter the environment of the entire planet" (al gore)
    "this will not be another vietnam" (george bush)
    "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (franklin delano roosevelt)
    "our task is not only to win the battle, but to win the war" (winston churchill)

    [bob catley:] we gave them feelings, what did they sense?
    [steve lee:] shut out the world and put up a fence...
    [bob catley:] we gave them science, what did they do?
    [steve lee:] they built a bomb and they used it too...
    [bob catley:] we gave them reason, what did they learn?
    [steve lee:] warmed up the planet and made it burn...
    [bob catley:] we gave them art, and what did they make?
    [steve lee:] nuclear weapons for their own sake...
    [bob catley:] we gave them insight, what did they see?
    [steve lee:] degrade the noble, enslave the free...
    [bob catley:] we gave them wisdom, what did they teach?
    [steve lee:] destroying all that’s within their reach...
    [bob catley:] we gave them language, what did they say?
    [steve lee:] they left the planet in disarray...
    [bob catley and steve lee:] we gave them dreams, and what did they dream?

    [hansi kürsch:]
    don’t want to live in a world that’s dying
    i'd rather die in a world that’s living!

    [jørn lande:]
    listen to the warning…

    [jonas renkse:]
    a chain of guilt around our neck
    a planet straying in darkness
    can we save the lives we wrecked?
    i say we should find a way
    i say stop this decay

    [jørn lande:] can you see the fire in their eyes?
    [bob catley:] can you hear the anguish in their cries?
    [jørn lande:] can you see the beauty in their art?
    [bob catley:] can you sense the love within their hearts?
    [jørn lande:] i can taste the freedom we once had (freedom, freedom)
    [bob catley:] i can touch their pain (oh, can you feel the fire?)
    [jørn lande:] i can smell the fragrance of the air
    [bob catley:] i relive the times we used to share (yeah)

    [jørn lande:] can you see the fire in their eyes? (oh!)
    [bob catley:] can you hear the anguish in their cries? (can you feel the fire?)
    [jørn lande:] can you see the beauty in their art?
    [bob catley:] can you sense the love within their hearts? (can you feel the beauty?)

    [hansi kürsch:] don’t want to live in a world that’s dying!
    [jørn lande:] oh yeah, so beautiful!
    [hansi kürsch:] i'd rather to die in a world that’s living! (yeah, yeah!)

    ---------------------------------------

    5. river of time

    [hansi kürsch:] is it too late to prevent their fall?
    [bob catley:] are they ready for the key to it all?
    [hansi kürsch:] the mystery solved, the answer to life
    [bob catley:] the final solution, a chance to survive

    [bob catley and hansi kürsch:]
    we can save this ill-fated race
    who are lost in the ocean of space
    show them the way to reverse their decline
    guide them back on the river of time

    [hansi kürsch:] follow the wave, speed up the flight
    [bob catley:] slow down time, faster than light
    [hansi kürsch:] unite the forces, take a giant leap
    [bob catley:] bend the stream, dive into the deep

    [bob catley and hansi kürsch:]
    we can save this ill-fated race
    who are lost in the ocean of space
    show them the way to reverse their decline
    guide them back on the river of time

    [hansi kürsch:] send back visions of war and decay
    [bob catley:] paradigms of fear in a world of dismay
    [hansi kürsch:] shape the present, alter the past
    [bob catley:] create a new future, one that would last

    [bob catley and hansi kürsch:]
    we can save this ill-fated race
    who are lost in the ocean of space
    show them the way to reverse their decline
    guide them back on the river of time

    ---------------------------------------

    6. e=mc²

    [wudstik:]
    it all came to me in the wake of a dream
    bending space, reversing the stream
    the knowledge is mine to influence time
    and avert our decline (we'll avert our decline)

    we could use this to salvage mankind
    send projections into the past (telepathy time)
    etch humanity's fate in their minds
    let them know man won’t last (it all came to me in the wake of a dream)

    [marjan welman:]
    this may be our last chance
    if we want man to survive
    a mirror reflection
    show them our world as it dies
    cut through the barrier
    and do what no one has dared
    let’s break the equation… e=mc²

    [wudstik:]
    our first try was a minor success
    no control, i can but guess
    we have to move now; don’t know just how
    no mistakes are allowed
    (we can make no mistakes)

    i have sent it but nothing changes
    just a line in some ancient lore
    (medieval times)
    i don’t know just how far it ranges
    everything’s like before
    (it all came to me in the wake of a dream)

    [marjan welman:]
    this may be our last chance
    if we want man to survive
    a mirror reflection
    show them our world as it dies
    cut through the barrier
    and do what no one has dared
    let’s break the equation… e=mc²

    [digitalized voice:]
    the outcome of the final experiment has been placed in your hands

    ---------------------------------------

    7. the sixth extinction

    [part i - echoes on the wind]

    [tom englund:] it’s the calm before the storm
    it’s the quiet before the war
    it’s the time when all will be decided
    [steve lee:] all will be decided
    [tom englund:] if nobody heeds the echoes on the wind

    [tom englund:] it’s the end of the chain
    [steve lee:] destruction of the fittest
    [tom englund:] it’s the end of our reign
    [steve lee:] we’ve seen it all before
    [tom englund:] it’s the end of man’s evolution
    [steve lee:] the end of the evolution
    [tom englund:] for nobody heeds the echoes on the wind

    [part ii - radioactive grave]

    [hansi kürsch:] do you hear the sirens?
    [daniel gildenlöw:] do you see the burst?
    [steve lee:] do you feel the fire?
    [jonas renkse:] all the world’s a radioactive grave!
    [tom englund:] i can hear them crying!
    [bob catley:] i can see the fear!
    [jørn lande:] i can feel them dying!
    [jonas renkse and floor jansen:] washed away by deadly gamma waves!
    [hansi kürsch:] do you hear them calling?
    [daniel gildenlöw:] do you see the hurt?
    [steve lee:] do you feel them failing?
    [jonas renkse and floor jansen:] all the world’s a blazing funeral pyre!
    [tom englund:] i can hear the wailing!
    [bob catley:] i can see the wrath!
    [jørn lande:] i can feel them failing!
    [jonas renkse and floor jansen:] washed away by a scorching sea of fire!

    [hansi kürsch:] do you hear the sirens?
    [daniel gildenlöw:] do you see the burst?
    [steve lee:] do you feel the fire?
    [jonas renkse and floor jansen:] all the world’s a radioactive grave!
    [tom englund:] i can hear them crying
    [bob catley:] i can see the fear
    [jørn lande:] i can see them dying
    [jonas renkse and floor jansen:] washed away by deadly gamma waves!

    [part iii - 2085]

    [jonas renkse:]
    silence so loud, not a soul... left alive
    darkness a shroud… 2085
    all our dreams have disappeared
    they burned down, tree of life
    confirming all that we have feared… 2085

    [bob catley:]
    don’t give up, remember how we felt
    fire rushing through our veins
    now's the time to rise up from our hell
    now's the time to free our brains

    [steve lee:]
    the meaning of life is to give life meaning
    go too fast, move too slow
    restore the balance between thinking and feeling, open up and let it flow

    [jonas renkse:]
    no side has won, struggle to... survive
    our quest here is done… 2085
    all our hopes have disappeared
    our race will... not thrive
    time will not recall year… 2085

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    don’t give in, remember all we learned
    the spark of life it did ignite
    we regained the rage for which we yearned
    we regained our will to fight

    [jørn lande:]
    we must resolve this human equation
    we’re already dead if we don’t try
    to welcome challenge, genetic variation
    stop the machines, prepare to die!

    [part iv - to the planet of red]

    [instrumental]

    [part v - spirit on the wind]

    [tom englund:] he’s the last man alive
    [steve lee:] searching for the answers
    [tom englund:] knowing he won’t survive
    [steve lee:] to the mystery of life
    [tom englund:] relives the past, and dreams of the future
    [steve lee:] dreaming of the future
    [tom englund:] and soon he’ll set free
    [steve lee:] and the sleeper will awake
    [tom englund:] his spirit on the wind

    [part vi - complete the circle]

    [all:]
    make us whole, migrator soul
    follow me home, complete the circle
    we must survive, restore our lives
    the way i'll show, complete the circle

    [hansi kürsch:]
    send back visions
    into the past
    of war and decay

    [floor jansen:]
    hear the final cries!
    i can see them feel
    in a world without walls

    [anneke van giersbergen:]
    through their eyes

    [tom englund:]
    i see them dying
    we have to teach them
    migrator soul

    [daniel gildenlöw:]
    we regained our will to fight
    we regained…
    we found a way

    [steve lee:]
    i know we’ll make it in the end
    listen to the warning

    [bob catley:]
    we gave them language
    what did they say?
    what did they learn?

    [jørn lande:]
    we have no chance
    we are the future
    we are the pain
    complete the circle

    [steve lee:] ah!!!!
  • insanlık ve dünya tarihi albümü. albümde geçen ekstinksiyonlara biraz inilecek olursa şöyle özetlenebilir.

    bilimcilere göre dünyada şimdiye kadar beş büyük ekstinksiyon (bkz: extinction) yaşanmıştır ve altıcısı da yaşanmaktadır. ordovisyen çağ.

    birinci büyük ekstinksiyon : 440 milyon yıl önce- iklim değişimi, küresel soğuma ile dünya üzerindeki % 25 oranında familya yok olur. bir familya binlerce türden oluşmaktadır.

    ikinci büyük ekstinksiyon : 370 milyon yıl önce- devoniyen çağının sonuna doğru küresel iklim değişikliği ile % 19 oranında familya yok olur.

    üçüncü büyük ekstinksiyon : 245 milyon yıl önce- anlatılanlara göre permiyen dönemin sonunda civadan ya da tektonik hareketler sonuncuda %54 familya yok olur. son dönemde bulunan kanıtlar ışığında büyük bir meteor çarpmasıyla oluşan kretese (tebeşir dönemi) de bu yok oluş nedeni olabilir.

    dördüncü büyük ekstinksiyon : 210 milyon yıl önce- triasik dönem sonunda, dinazorların ve memelilerin evrim sürecine girmesinden hemen sonra % 23 oranında familyanın nasıl yok olduğu tam olarak tespit edilemiyor.

    beşinci büyük ekstinksiyon : 65 milyon yıl önce- en bilinen ekstinksiyon. karada kalan dinazorlar ve deniz fosilleri yok olmuştur. bilimciler dünyaya büyük bir meteor veya kuyrukluyıldız çarpması sonucu oluştuğu konusunda fikir birliğindedir. % 17 familya yok olur.

    altıncı ekstinksiyon: iki safhada ele alınan altıncı ekstinksiyonun başlama tarihi 10.000 yıl önce tarıma ve dolayısıyla yerleşik hayata geçiş ile başlar.
    tam olarak adı konmamış olsa da bugün yaşanan olumsuz çevre koşullarının tamamı altıncı ekstinksiyonun nedenidir.

    ve the sixth extinction, evrimin, dünyanın her şeyin sonu. insanlığın sonu. dünyanın bir radyoaktif çöplük oluşuna ağıt. yine de bir ümit var.

    müzikal olarak yetersiz bir ayreon albümü müdür tanımlayamam, bilemem ama şimdiye kadar dinlediğim antropolojik, sosyolojik, biyolojik, sosyolojik, psikolojik... açılardan dinlediğim en mükemmel albümdür. (abartmıyorum) bu beşinci ve altıncı ekstinksiyonlar beni benden alır.

    kaynak: http://www.actionbioscience.org/…ers/eldredge2.html
  • en iyi ayreon albümünün tartışmasız the human equation olduğunu kanıtlayan albüm.

    olası en iyi vokal kadrosunu toparlayacaksın, bir öncekinin yarısı kadar akılda kalıcı, büyüleyici bir albüm yapamıyacaksın.

    oysa ki dinlemeden önce ne umutlarım vardı... arjen'in her yaptığı iyi olacak diye bir kural yok tabi ki fakat bu muhteşem kadroyla boş sıkmasını da beklemiyorduk açaıkçası.

    iyi bir albüm ama ne yazık ki daha fazlası değil.

    arjen, daniel gildenlöw'ü, tom englund'u ve jonas renkse'yi nasıl kullanacağını tam anlıyamamış.

    evet bu adamlara kendi tarzlarına yakın birer şarkı yapmaya çalışmış, bunlar da olmuş ama beraber kullanmayı becerememiş.

    oysa ki human equation'da james labrie ile mikael akerfeldt'i, devin townsend'i birbirlerini hiç görmemelerine, ayrı ayrı kaydedilmelerine rağmen ne güzel harmanlamış, ne güzel korolar çıkarmıştı.

    hansi kürsch'ü ise becermiş. ama zaten öyle bir sesi, öyle bir vokal melodi yeteneğini nereye koysan göze batmaz. özetle hansi kürsch insanın kendine yakışanı giymesidir.

    potansiyelini gerçekleştirememiş, muhteşem olabilecekken; iyi ile yetinmiş bir albüm.
  • 01011001; ascii kod sisteminde "y" harfinin karşılığı olup arjen* abinin daha önceki into the electric castle, the universal migrator ve the human equation albümlerinde üstüne koyarak devam ettiği planet y ve forever of the stars öykülerine bu şekilde bağlanır..
  • yeni ayreon albumunun adi bu.. vokal kadrosunu okuyunca akliniza "oha!"dan ba$ka kelime gelmesi mumkun degil.. bugun son olarak daniel gildenlow'un ismi aciklandi ki ben ba$ka bi$iy diyemiyorum arjen abim dualarimi kabul etti.. her ikisini de.. ustune bi de kursch eklemi$ de yollami$.. (#10295466)

    daniel gildenlöw (pain of salvation), hansi kürsch (blind guardian), steve lee (gotthard), bob catley (magnum), anneke van giersbergen (the gathering), jonas p. renske (katatonia), jorn lande (masterplan), tom s. englund (evergrey), ty tabor (king's x), magali luyten (virus iv), simone simons (epica), liselotte hegt (dial), phideaux xavier, floor jansen (after forever), wudstik, marjan welman (elister).

    http://www.ayreon.com/ayreon/ay_01011001.html
  • hasta ruhlu solist kadrosunun ustune gitarda michael romeo ve lori linstruth, klavyede ise derek sherinian, tomas bodin ve joost van den broek'in konuk sanatcilar olarak boy gosterecegini acikladi arjen amcamiz.. yuh ama..
  • onluk düzende karşılığı 89 sayısına işaret eden, ascii diye tabir edilen makina dilinde y harfine karşılık gelen ikili kodlanmış sekiz bitlik sayı. ayrıca asm kodu olarakta 59 sayısını işaret eder.
  • gözümde milan'ın efsane kadrosuyla yarışacak kadar sağlam bir kadro kuran arjen abinin hatrına arada açıp açıp dinlediğim albüm. hatta bazen uzun süre dinlemeyince hüzünleniyorum. keyiflenmek için bir doz comatose patlatıyorum. o değil de kadrosu şampiyonlar ligi gibi demiş miydim. hey yavrum kadroya bak be

    kadro da kadro ammma arjen abiye ben de kırgınım o konuda. aykut kocaman gibi, elindeki yıldızlardan pek verim alamamış.
  • progressiv- power metal adına çüş dedirten albüm. ocak'ta albüm çıkacak söylentilerine rağmen tüm dowload sitelerinde bulunan, albüm kadrosu, klavye ve keman soloların olağanüstülüğü, vokallerin ise tamamıyla muziği tamamladığı albüm.
    arka vokallerde giren kadın sesleri ise tarifsiz. internet sitelerinde karış karış aradığım vokalleri ise az cok tahmin edebildim. parçaların genel hatları ve vokalleri söyledir efendim:

    age of shadows- anneke van giersbergen (the gathering),
    comatose - floor jansen (after forever) erkek vokal jorn lande olabilir. ayrıca albümün en hasta parçası.
    liquid eternity- tahmin edemedim. ama effektleriyle süper parça valla.(keman solosu özellikle)
    connect the dots girişi arabanın çalışması ile başlıyor, zaten daha sonra ilahiyi andıran bir kadın sesi duyuyoruz
    new born race- veee daniel gildenlöw (tanıdım bu sefer evet!) inanılmaz gitar soloları mevcuttur.
    web of lies- simone simons
    waking dreams- anneke van giersbergen

    sololar

    lori linstruth (ex-stream of passion) - gitar solo
    michael romeo (symphony x) - gitar solo on "e=mc2"
    derek sherinian (planet x, yngwie malmsteen, ex-dream theater) - klavye solo "the fifth extinction"
    tomas bodin (the flower kings) - klavye solo "waking dreams"
    joost van den broek (after forever) - klavye solo on "the sixth extinction"
  • ilk izlenim olarak, arjen lucassen'in daniel gildenlow'a yazık ettiğini söyleyebileceğim albüm...öyle bir ses o kadar mı az kullanılır, ben the human equation'da yaptığı gibi daniel'ı james labrie gibi ana vokalist olarak kullanacağını düşünüyordum, birazhayal kırıklığına uğradım açıkçası...jorn lande domine etmiş gibi geldi hafiften albümü...kendisinin çok klasik "ımmmmmmmmhmmhmmm" ve de aralara serpiştirdiği iğrenç "yeaaah" laflarıyla tanımlayabilirsiniz kolayca...katatonia'nın vokalisti jonas renske, ilk parçada ağzımıza bir parmak bal çalıp gidiyor gibi sanki, sonraki parçalarda çok fazla partisyonu yok kendisinin...bir de o kadar çok vokalist var ki, ve hepsi de o kadar başarılı ki, insan düzgün şarkı dinleyemiyor adamlar kim diye ayırt etmeye çalışmaktan...gerçi arjen'in besteciliğini çok fazla benimseyemediğimden olsa gerek, parça düzenlemelerini ve melodilerini fazla standart bulmaktayım...bu düşüncem bu albüm için de geçerli, birbirine çok benzeyen şarkılar yine oldukça fazla. bunun yanında, bu albümde efekt kullanımını baya geliştirmiş olduğu gözüme çarptı kendisinin...biraz daha dinleyelim bakalım neler olacak...
    sun caged'in ikinci albümü artemisia gibi bu da the human equation'dan sonra biraz hayal kırıklığı gibi sanki...

    edit: waking dreams parçası jonas için ayrılmış, keyif aldım dinlerken çok
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