Ajren Lucassen – the man who has brought us over the years a never ending stream of some of the most impressive, imaginative and bombastic prog/metal projects such as the multi-guest cast of thousands such as Ayreon and Star One comes at us now with a new approach with his Supersonic Revolution and a debut album titled Golden Age of Music.
This is a “band based” affair. Instead of the cast of thousands, with Supersonic Revolution, Arjen’s put together a fine, fine line-up indeed.
Long-time collaborators Joost Van Den Broek and Jaycee Cuijpers on keys and vocals respectively. Timo Somers on guitar, Koen Herfst on drums and the man himself on bass.
Golden Age of Music is Arjen’s homage to the 1970s – the decade that gave us so much heavy rock, prog rock, glam rock etc. Think Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, David Bowie, Sweet, T. Rex, Mott the Hoople and similar.
It’s all so well done as you’d expect from anything Arjen turns his hand to. A massively fun listen too with the lyrics conjuring up images whilst listening of what it was like some fifty years ago being in to this sort of stuff. The band must have enjoyed themselves recording it – and that shines through.
Heavy Hammond organ and synths, huge crunching riffs, blazing solos (Timo tears it up) and as always massive, powerful vocals from Jaycee. A winner from first note to last.
A brief spacey key based instrumental leads in to The Glamattack. Huge fun. The title gives it away somewhat and the lyrics nail I with so many identifiable references back to the 1970s it’s superb. It captures the spirit of the decade in a few minutes as does the music.
The title track follows. Another assault of heaviness with the Hammond, powerchords, shredding and on-point lyrics. For example: “JC’s a superstar, school’s out, the boys are back in town.” Can you guess what that refers to…..?
Have a listen and see if you can:
The Rise of the Starman is the Bowie tribute. So good. Burn it Down more Deep Purple than Deep Purple with the references to Smoke on the Water.
The good stuff never ends. Somehow Arjen and the band capture the spirit of 1970s rock, prog and glam so well it’s spooky. And all with a fresh, modern, uplifting twist on it. The lyrics are at times perhaps semi-autobiographical as Arjen remembers the decade. Listen to the words to Came to Mock, Stayed to Rock for example.
If you grew up in the 1970s getting in to rock music at the time as I did you’ll identify with everything Arjen’s doing here with Supersonic Revolution. If you didn’t – buy this album regardless. Musically, lyrically and conceptually it’s marvellous. Hugely effective heavy, progressive, glam rock all rolled in to one and lots of fun to boot.
>> ARJEN LUCASSEN’S SUPERSONIC REVOLUTION ON AMAZON <<