As the title suggests, it is an album made primarily for fans of Ayreon, and contains demos and alternate versions of Ayreon songs.

Every previous Ayreon studio album is represented. There are three tracks from Ayreon’s debut album, “Final Experiment”, one from “Actual Fantasy”, one from “Into the Electric Castle”, one from “The Dream Sequencer” and four from “Flight of the Migrator”.

The first alternate version is “Into the black hole” sung by Damian Wilson and Lana Lane instead of Bruce Dickinson, who this time gives chorus only. Robert Soeterboek is the one in charge of doing vocals in “To the Solar System”, giving a more bluesy and hard rock feel.

Something similar happens to “Through the Wormhole” sung by Ian Parry in a more “classical” mood. To conclude with the “Migrators”, we find a beautiful acoustic version of “Temple of the Cat” sung by Astrid Van Der Veen, a 14-year old lady.

From “Actual Fantasy” there is only one version of “Beyond the Last Horizon” sung by Gary Hughes (Ten). From “Final Experiment” there are three tracks: “Charm of the Seer” sung by Arjen himself; “Eyes of Time” where Leon Goewie (ex Vengeance) does his best to complicate the song with his voice making a final noisy version. In “Nature’s Dance”, a beautiful acoustic guitar driven track with the voice of Arjen not filtered by Hammond’s Leslie as it was in the original.

We can find the original version of “Chaos” (opening track of “Flight of the Migrator”), originally recorded 9 years ago, now renamed as “Carpe Diem”. A very faithful version to the original but without Ed Warby’s drums.

“Original Hippie’s Amazing Trip” is sung by Mouse who originally had to be the hippie in “Into the Electric Castle” but was replaced by Arjen. With a beautiful Floydian feel the hippie’s character from the album is developed with the help of the good choirs of Anneke Van Giersbergen and Edward Reekers.

The last track is “Cold Metal”, a preview of Ambeon, the new project of Arjen Lucassen with the splendid voice of Astrid van der Veen (from track 5). The “Ambeon” project seeks a more ambient effect to Ayreon music. This track shows a new direction in the career of Arjen, beautiful and rich music with a moderate and pleasant ambient touch.

This is a great offering for Ayreon fans, however if you don’t have any material from this Dutchman, it is always better to pick any of the original works.

Line-up:
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen / vocals (8, 10), all other instruments
with
- Ed Warby / drums (1-3)
- Erik Norlander / keyboards (1, 2)
- Clive Nolan / keyboards (1)
- Gary(eon) Wehrkamp / guitar, synth (3)
- Roland Bakker / hammond (6)
- Robby Valentine / piano (6)
- Stephen van Haestregt / drums (7, 11)
- Ernst van Ee / drums (9)
- Peter Vink / bass (9)
- Cleem Determeijer / hammond, minimoog (9)
- Jolanda Verduijn / bass (11)
- Damian Wilson / vocals (1)
- Lana Lane / vocals (1), back vocals (3)
- Rob Soeterbroek / vocals (2)
- Astrid van der Veen / vocals (5, 11)
- Mouse / vocals (6)
- Anneke van Giersbergen / vocals (6)
- Edward Reekers / vocals (6)
- Gary Hughes / vocals (7)
- Leon Goewie / vocals (9)
- Bruce Dickinson / back vocals (1)
- Fabio Lione / back vocals (3)
- Rob Soeterbroek / back vocals (7)
- Okkie Huysdens / back vocals (7)
- Mirjam van Doorn / back vocals (9)
- Debbie Schreuder / back vocals (9)
- Rene Merkelbach / back vocals (9)

Track List:
01. Into the Black Hole – 10:46
02. Out of the White Hole – 7:12
03. Through the Wormhole – 6:14
04. Carpe Diem – Chaos – 4:15
05. Temple of the Cat – 3:07
06. Original Hippie’s Amazing Trip – 6:38
07. Beyond the Last Horizon – 5:34
08. The Charm of the Seer – 3:30
09. Eyes of Time – 5:10
10. Nature’s Dance – 2:33
11. Ambeon: Cold Metal – 7:10

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Part 1 of “Universal Migrator” was melodic and atmospheric, while this album is a heavy progressive adventure.

There are a plethora of guest singers and musicians, including Bruce Dickinson and Clive Nolan on “Into the Black Hole”, but the sound and feel remain very much Ayreon. The list of bands supplying guests gives more than a hint of what to expect, including as it does Symphony X, Arena, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Stratovarius, and Rhapsody.

There is still plenty of melodic, and indeed accessible rock here though, “Dawn of a Million Souls” for example has an anthemic chorus backed by heavy keyboards and orchestration. The usual space and time themes prevail throughout, with more synthesiser, organ and guitar solos than most bands manage in their entire existence. There’s an excitement and good feeling to the music which gives this concept album a lasting appeal.

Line-up:
- Arjen Lucassen / electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, analogue synthesizers, Hammond, Mellotron and additional keyboards
- Erik Norlander / analogue synthesizers, piano, vocoder, Hammond and additional keyboards
- Ed Warby / drums
- Michael Romeo / guitar (2)
- Oscar Holleman / guitar (4)
- Gary Wehrkamp / guitar, keyboards (6)
- Rene Merkelbach / keyboards (4)
- Clive Nolan / synth (5)
- Keiko Kumagai / keyboards (9)
- Russel Allen / vocals (2)
- Ralf Scheepers / vocals (3)
- Andi Deris / vocals (4)
- Bruce Dickinson / vocals (5)
- Fabio Leone / vocals (7)
- Timo Kotipelto / vocals (7)
- Robert Soeterboek / vocals (8)
- Ian Parry / vocals (9)
- Damion Wilson / back vocals (2)
- Lana Lane / back vocals (4-6, 9), narration (1)

Track List:
01. Chaos – 5:11
02. Dawn Of A Million Souls – 7:45
03. Journey On The Waves Of Time – 5:47
04. To The Quasar – 8:42
05. Into The Black Hole – 10:25
06. Through The Wormhole – 6:05
07. Out Of The White Hole – 7:10
08. To The Solar System – 6:12
09. The New Migrator – 8:15

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Capitolizing on the energy and success of his recently-completed world tour with Iron Maiden, Halford unleash a double album chock full of ripping, classic metal.

This impressive live album covers all phases of Rob Halford’s career. There are tracks from the band’s ‘Resurrection’ album, there’s Fight material, even 2wo and there’s also a generous spackling of Priest cuts — including several that haven’t seen the “live” light of day in over a decade.

The band attack Halford’s songs with taut force and accuracy. From newer gems such as “Made in Hell” to Priest staples “Electric Eye” and “Breaking the Law” to a duet with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, this comprehensive collection was largely recorded at various venues throughout a seven-month tour.

After the live performance is over with there are three studio songs, one being a new Halford songs and the two others being lost Judas Priest songs that Halford has recorded. All three smoke with “Screaming in the Dark” sounding like a heavier “Resurrection”, “Heart of a Lion” being a Judas Priest rocker, and “Prisoner of Your Eyes” being a Judas Priest ballad.

Line-up:
- Rob Halford / Lead Vocals
- Pat Lachman / Guitar
- Mike Chlasciak / Guitar
- Ray Riendeau / Bass
- Bobby Jarzombek / Drums
with
- Bruce Dickinson / Vocals (10)

Track List:
CD1
01. Resurrection – 4:02
02. Made in Hell – 4:13
03. Into the Pit – 4:15
04. Nailed to the Gun – 3:35
05. Light Comes Out of Black – 5:00
06. Stained Class – 5:32
07. Jawbreaker – 3:25
08. Running Wild – 3:02
09. Slow Down – 4:40
10. The One You Love to Hate – 3:11
11. Life in Black – 4:26
12. Hell’s Last Survivor – 3:24
13. Sad Wings – 3:33
14. Saviour – 2:57
15. Silent Screams – 7:32
CD2
01. Intro – 0:14
02. Cyberworld – 3:04
03. The Hellion – 0:48
04. Electric Eye – 3:29
05. Riding on the Wind – 3:10
06. Genocide [1st Encore] – 7:36
07. Beyond the Realms of Death – 6:51
08. Metal Gods [2nd Encore] – 4:34
09. Breaking the Law – 3:50
10. Tyrant – 4:41
11. Screaming in the Dark (Studio) – 3:41
12. Heart of a Lion (Studio) – 3:51
13. Prisoner of Your Eyes (Studio) – 4:33

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Former Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford finally re-embraced his roots, formed a band simply called Halford. He brought out the leather and motorcycle and recruited guitarists Patrick Lachman and Mike Chlasciak, bassist Ray Riendeau, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek to start over. The band recorded 2000′s Resurrection, a tremendous album of pure heavy metal.

Halford stretches his voice out by utilizing everything from piercing falsetto wails to sinister, throaty rumbles. Some songs have autobiographical lyrics, particularly the stunning one-two opening punch of “Resurrection” and “Made in Hell”. The former features Halford admitting to past mistakes while the latter is a history lesson on the creation and rise of heavy metal. “Locked and Loaded” is a bit slower and the guitars settle into a groove, but the song’s power isn’t jeopardized. “Night Fall” sounds like a great lost Judas Priest song, and that’s meant as a compliment.

The seven-minute “Silent Screams” starts slowly and builds into a fiery rocker complete with Halford’s multi-tracked vocals. Heavy metal fans will quake with joy after hearing Halford’s duet with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson on “The One You Love to Hate”, a brutal three-minute blowout. “Slow Down” is another example of Halford displaying a variety of vocal styles within the same song. “Drive” and “Saviour” include traces of speed metal, the style Judas Priest embraced on 1990′s Painkiller, Halford’s last with the band.

This is literally a “Resurrection” for Rob Halford.

Line-up:
- Rob Halford / Vocals
- Patrick Lachman / Guitar
- Mike Chlasciak / Guitar
- Ray Riendeau / Bass
- Bobby Jarzombek / Drums
with
- Bruce Dickinson / Vocals (6)
- Pete Parada / Drums (6)
- Ed Ross / Keyboards (5,9)

Track List:
01. Resurrection – 3:58
02. Made in Hell – 4:12
03. Locked and Loaded – 3:19
04. Night Fall – 3:41
05. Silent Screams – 7:07
06. The One You Love to Hate – 3:12
07. Cyberworld – 3:09
08. Slow Down – 4:51
09. Twist – 4:09
10. Temptation – 3:32
11. Drive – 4:31
12. Saviour – 2:57

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