Ayreon - Into The Electric Castle

Christmas dinner album 2009. And surely one of the best albums ever.

Finally got my hands (and ears) on it. Definitely one of the best prog albums ever created. A true gem with a cool story, great music and excellent performances. My second favorite Ayreon album to date.

Yeah I just heard this for the first time yesterday Niiiiiiice. It'll take some time to process but it was definitely an experience!

My favourite Ayreon album by far, it's an epic masterpiece. The Human Equation is great, but unlike most people I think this is a lot better.

This album really is an odyssey especially Cosmic Fusion one of the best songs heard sensational and highly recommended album almost as much as 01011001 and The human equation.

If this album was barbecue sauce, I would slather it all over myself, gently marinate and roast in a smoky seasoning for a couple days, and eat myself. Not even a bad song on the whole thing.

Written by Erik M. on 04.11.2012 at 21:25

My favourite Ayreon album by far, it's an epic masterpiece.

I take back everything bad I have ever said about you

Re-visited this album in recent days, giving it quite a few spins and I am genuinely surprised at how boring I find many parts of this. It's considered a classic by many and I used to think it was great, but now I'd probably not rate it even an 8 out of 10. I'm beginning to think that Arjen is overrated as a songwriter. His efforts in bringing great vocalists together and making them give their all is admirable still, but the music on this just doesn't make me feel much anymore. I still think it's a good album, but nowhere near worthy the status of a classic.

Less metal and folk than the newer albums, more dreamy and progy. Really well made and enjoyable. Some songs are unnecessary but the whole thing is one of the best prog rock out there. Top picks are "Time Beyond Time" and "Evil Devolution"

I don't get why everyone worships this album.. Is it even metal? It's slow and boring compared to the other albums, there are only three good songs, Valley of the Queens, Castle Hall and Rainbow Bridge, all the rest suck. By the way some of the other songs have a few good bits in them but it still sucks. That's the truth, maybe you guys are favorinbg it for the awesome album cover artwork which doesn't even match the style of music.

Written by Robdog on 03.11.2020 at 10:19

I don't get why everyone worships this album.. Is it even metal? It's slow and boring compared to the other albums...

The fact that it's slow is the reason why its good. Most of Ayreon albums are so over the top that it's unbearable, even for someone like me who likes some good cheesy power metal music. This album is more prog rock than prog metal, but it makes it better, not worse. Also the features on this album were on spot, unlike in his other work where features could ruin the entire experience.

Written by [user id=314970] on 25.07.2021 at 18:18

Written by Robdog on 03.11.2020 at 10:19

I don't get why everyone worships this album.. Is it even metal? It's slow and boring compared to the other albums...

The fact that it's slow is the reason why its good. Most of Ayreon albums are so over the top that it's unbearable, even for someone like me who likes some good cheesy power metal music. This album is more prog rock than prog metal, but it makes it better, not worse. Also the features on this album were on spot, unlike in his other work where features could ruin the entire experience.

Fair call, I guess its just not my cup of tea.

Ayreon's best IMO.

8.6/10 for me - 'Isis And Osiris' is the standout track. 'Amazing Flight' and 'Cosmic Fusion' are both also good. But really this album needs to be consumed as a whole to fully appreciate it.

Better than the human equation

Wonderful album. The use of vocalists is top and there's a lot of musical passages that feels like a giftbox. For a album that's nearly 2 hours long it never gets boring. My favourite part of the whole album is without a doubt the finale instrumental section of Amazing Flight, which is short said brilliant.

Funny how when I noticed the additional ''A Space'' I was like ''Whoo!'' and then ''Opera'' got me like ''Nooo!''.
In all seriousness I was pretty much looking forward to hearing this. Nice album cover art also gave a boost.

Intro is already very intriguing. Although I can understand this album having some narrative, later I though maybe there was a bit too much. Not that it got to too disturbing, I just don't usually like it in music.

First song to get my attention was Amazing Flight which made me think there is so many classic rock influences. Especially towards the end when flute starts playing which made me instantly think of Jethro Tull. Maybe the best part in the whole album. Later I noticed also some influences from The Doors, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Who, Rainbow and Genesis. It was no problem for me since the styles were combined really well and never felt like a rip off.

Really long album with about 105 minutes. That makes it hard to have all good songs, so there is some mediocre ones. Mainly first half have the best songs and the second half gets a bit boring at times. Favorite songs are Amazing Flight, Across The Rainbow Bridge, The Castle Hall and beautiful Valley Of The Queens.

In the end I felt like what a journey this album was.