Actual Fantasy [Extra tracks]

Actual Fantasy [Extra tracks]

Track Listings

1. Actual Fantasy

2. Abbey Of Synn

3. The Stranger From Within

4. Computer Eyes

5. Beyond The Last Horizon

6. Farside Of The World

7. Back On Planet Earth

8. Forevermore

9. The Dawn Of Man

10. The Stranger From Within

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
German edition of '98 prog-rock album with 2 bonus tracks 'The Dawn Of Man' & 'The Stranger From Within' (Single Version) plus the CD-ROM video for 'The Stranger From Within'. 1998 release. Standard jewel case.

Actual Fantasy,Ayreon,Transmission,5"CD Singles,Heavy Metal

Actual Fantasy Revisited
Average customer rating:

This album deserves 5 stars

Ayreon's most underrated album

Just one word!!

Good Stuff

Excellent remake of Actual Fantasy

Actual Fantasy Revisited
Ayreon
Manufacturer: Inside Out U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Final Experiment

Into the Electric Castle

Universal Migrator, Pts. 1-2

Space Metal

Human Equation [Limited Edition] [Bonus DVD]

ASIN: B0006HIV5S
Release Date: 2004-11-25

Tracks:

Actual Fantasy
Abbey Of Synn
The Stranger From Within
Computer Eyes
Beyond The Last Horizon
Farside Of The World
Back On Planet Earth
Forevermore
The Dawn Of Man

Album Description

Following up on the success of Ayreon, The Human Equation, and the re-release of Into The Electric Castle, Inside Out Music is pleased to announce the first official release of Actual Fantasy, the second of the Ayreon releases from Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Originally released in 1996, Actual Fantasy has previously been available only as an import in the U.S. To mark the occasion, this classic title has been repackaged and now includes a bonus DVD which features a 5:1 remix of the entire album. Other bonus features include a video clip for the track, The Stranger From Within (mixed both in 5:1 and 2:0) and a video documentary of the recording of the album. Like all of the Ayreon titles, Actual Fantasy is a concept-based excursion into the mind of a true musical genius. This time Lucassen celebrates the human imagination with his now trademark sound. A grandiose blend of progressive rock and power metal.

Customer Reviews:

This album deserves 5 stars.......2007-07-20

The other reviewers have described why this album is so good. Easily on par with all his other work...don't let the lower sales make you think otherwise.

Ayreon's most underrated album.......2005-12-21

I was a fan of the original of this album, but i never got around to buying it, and as a result, never did really listen to it as much as the other ones i had. About a week ago this new version came in the mail, and WOW. it really is a stellar album, and while i can't really say it's as good as Electric Castle, The Dream Sequencer, or The Human Equation, it really isn't far behind at all. The rerecorded guitars sound much thicker than on the original recording as well, which really drives the music home.

If you've gotten the majority of the Ayreon catalogue already, i wouldn't hesitate for a second on picking up this rerecording/remaster. All the classic Ayreon elements are there (the instantly recognizable synths, chuggy guitars, beautiful spacey melodies, etc.). The main difference between this album and others is that this one seems to be a bit more electronic in feel, and the songs all plod along happily at the same pace throughout. That could be considered a downside i guess, as there are no real upswings in the music, but it's pleasant enough as it is. Standout tracks for me are Stranger From Within, Back On Planet Earth (which uses some of the vocals in the background from the Ambeon reworking of the tune, very nice touch!), and Beyond The Last Horizon. It may be Ayreon's least popular album, but don't pass it off as his worst. Very highly reccomended for anyone looking for just a bit more Ayreon after hearing Electric Castle or The Human Equation.

Just one word!!.......2005-12-06

All I've got to say re: this release is ~

GODDAMN!!!!!!!!!!

Good Stuff.......2005-02-11

I love Electric Castle, Human Equation, and Dream Sequencer. This is on par with Flight of the Migrator.

Excellent remake of Actual Fantasy .......2005-01-12

Actual Fantasy Revisited is the (mostly) re-recorded version of Ayreon's 1996 release Actual Fantasy. Released after the highly successful rock opera debut, The Final Experiment, mastermind Arjen Lucassen decided to surprise his fans with a more electronic-based album consisting of fewer singers and a loosely connected lyrical theme. To give the album a more electronic feel and digital atmosphere, Lucassen used a drum machine, but the outcome was rather mediocre. The album didn't sell as well as the other Ayreon releases and Lucassen always wondered how it would sound if he used a real drummer and another bass player. Which he realized eight years after the original release. Enter godly drummer Ed Warby (who else would Arjen work with anyway?) and bassist Peter Vink. Most of the guitars were re-recorded, some from scratch, the synth solos were changed, and even the programmed flute was replaced by the real instrument. The result is definitely a more powerful, more fresh, more crisp, and more alive. It's not too often that a re-release surpasses the original record, but this has happened with Actual Fantasy Revisited.

If you've heard the original version, be prepared to be blown away by the excellently crisp production. Each instrument is audible and perfectly mixed. The re-recorded guitars and synths are a lot better and more interesting. For those of you who haven't heard the 96 release, you're in for a treat. Arjen Lucassen used only three singers on this disc: Robert Soeterboek for the powerful stuff, Edward Reekers for the melodic parts and Okkie Huysdens for the Beatle-like choral passages as Arjen himself explains in the liner notes. The album may remind you of the Star One project in this aspect, with fewer singers, and therefore, a more compact sound. Lucassen plays heavy guitars and blends them with powerful grooves, psychedelic electronics and symphonic melodies. There are incredibly beautiful moments on this disc, starting with "Abbey of Synn". According to Arjen, 'synn' is the old spelling of 'sin', yet it also makes a direct reference to the important role of synthesizers on this album, hence the somewhat electronic approach. Another song, "Computer Eyes", deals with how computers and technology in general may have bad effect on people's lives, occupying their time, and making them lose touch with real life. The lyrics of "Beyond the Last Horizon" were penned during the last days of Arjen's father's life, so needless to say, it's a very personal song. Musically the album is equally competent, if not more haunting. Ed Warby's awesome drumming on "Abbey of Synn" gives the track more life, whilst Arjen plays one of his most emotionally engaging guitar solos ever. It's a soaring guitar run that blankets the tune right after the singers introduce themselves with their unique vocal delivery. The same solo is repeated in the latter part of the track by Rene Merkelbach on keyboards. It's jawdropping. "The Stranger from Within" opens with an electronic patch, but as the live drums kick in, you can't believe you're listening to the same song. Warby's drumming is the main focus of the track and it's surrounded by atmospheric keys and pummeling bass guitar! The song gets really dense in its finale. "Computer Eyes" has a similar intro before it picks up a pretty acoustic guitar and shifts to a Pink Floyd-driven psychedelia. Arjen's powerful guitar theme is further enhanced as singer Edward Reekers' warm voice creeps into the mix defining the highpoint of the album. Throughout the whole disc, Reekers proves to be a stunningly powerful singer with a very melodic delivery. As Huysdens does a fitting vocal harmony in the chorus, Peter Vink accompanies him on his pludding bass. Finally Soeterboek's low singing closes the track before you can believe how Arjen managed to blend all these elements so seamlessly.

Whilst "Beyond the Last Horizon" deals with an emotional theme, its music is truly uplifting. Reekers and Soeterboek once again combine their voices in the chorus. They sing in a soft tone over really heavy guitar arrangements, but the dynamics are awesome. "Back on Planet Earth" also features a very heavy musical pattern that interlocks electronics and melodic guitar riffs. This is a forceful track with an unforgettable bass line. Arjen says he may have been inspired by Rush - 2112 writing this, which kind of makes it special, since most of the other songs were inspired by (obscure) movies. Other great moments are how the slow keyboard piece is embraced by a forceful, melodic metal drive towards the end on "Forevermore", which Arjen himself sings the final chorus of; or the way Arjen integrates symphonic elements after the processed vocals in the closing track "The Dawn of Man". The tune ends on a somewhat happy note making room for hope. Overall it's a successful blend of a myriad of textures within a compositional framework. This reissue CD also comes with a bonus DVD which features the original version of the album from 1996, the video of "The Stranger from Within" shot by a few students, a behind the scenes feature showing the recording process of drums and bass with Ed Warby and Peter Vink, plus a nice booklet with detailed song commentary by Arjen Lucassen himself. I was pleased to read how he was inspired to write some of those songs I'd been listening to for years. Very good packaging indeed.

Average customer rating:

Continuation of a great theme
Much better than I expected
his third best album
Actual Fantasy: Heavy Pink Floyd?
The worst Ayreon album but not a bad album

Actual Fantasy
Ayreon
Manufacturer: Transmission
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000B47N
Release Date: 1997-05-28

Tracks:

Actual Fantasy
Abbey Of Synn
The Stranger From Within
Computer Eyes
Beyond The Last Horizon
Farside Of The World
Back On Planet Earth
Forevermore
The Dawn Of Man
The Stranger From Within

Album Description

German edition of '98 prog-rock album with 2 bonus tracks 'The Dawn Of Man' & 'The Stranger From Within' (Single Version) plus the CD-ROM video for 'The Stranger From Within'. 1998 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

Continuation of a great theme.......2004-05-09

The second creation of Arjen Anthony Lucassen under the banner of Ayreon. Not a continuous story as with his other works, but songs of a 'Fantastical' nature.

Fantastic use of multiple musical styles.

Much better than I expected.......2003-09-11

I listened to Actual Fantasy after having owned both Into the Electric Castle and both parts of the Flight of the Migrator... and I think Actual Fantasy may be my favorite out of all of it. "Heavier Pink Floyd" might be a good way to describe it, as one other reviewer put it. This album just has an amazing element of harmony and strange discord that somehow works.

his third best album.......2000-10-07

first thing's first, Ayreon top two album's are Dream Sequencer & Into the Electric Castle. His two weakest albums, while containing some good songs are The Final Experiment & Flight of the Migrator. Actual Fantasy is easily in his top three albums and differs from all of his other albums by not having an overall conceptual storyline. On the other hand, this album may have his most solid musical sound. Elements of Pink Floyd, industrial, Kansas etc mark this as his best heavy album. Good vocal work by the lead vocalist of Golden Earring, and well as Edmund Reekers (Kayak) and a third vocalist make this quite possibly his most accesible album to today's alternative listeners.

Actual Fantasy: Heavy Pink Floyd?.......2000-05-10

Yes, Ayreon's second album, Actual Fantasy, can accurately be described as "heavy Pink Floyd". It's a good album, very atmospheric and symphonic. Arjen Anthony Lucassen (the man behind Ayreon) uses three different lead vocalists on the album -- sometimes in the same song. All three singers are very good and, when you couple this with the catchy vocal melodies, the result is powerful, sometimes bombastic, sometimes mellow, Floyd-like symphonic progressive hard rock. Enough adjectives for you? That's what happens when a band is hard to describe because they are so unique. This is Ayreon.

It should be stressed that Mr. Lucassen is a good songwriter and never sacrifices the song in favor of technical self-indulgence.

I dare say that if you like Pink Floyd and heavier rock, you will love this album. I certainly did and I'm not even a big Pink Floyd fan!

The worst Ayreon album but not a bad album.......2000-04-09

Actual Fantasy come with a idea to link diferent music styles with Fantasy theme. The idea and lyrics are great but Arjen missed something in the album,both The Final Experiment and Into the Eletric Castle are much better than Actual Fantasy. This album have a unique style, some kind of symphonic progressive rock, synthetizers,sfx, guitars,Hammond,Violin. If you like Rhapsody, Symphony X or Stratovarious listen a ayreon album, I recommed Eletric Castle instead of this ... or if you already listened to Eletric Castle ... listen to the The Final Experiment.