Space Metal＜限定盤＞

Star One is the latest project from Arjen Anthony Lucassen (the man who almost single-handedly is Aryeon). Lucassen seems to like to assemble groups of musicians to record his works under various band names. Such is the case with this project. The group here has cut loose with their first project, entitled Space Metal. With a title like that, one might expect to hear a more hard-edged version of the space rock sounds of bands like Hawkwind. That is not, however, the case. Instead, Lucassen and his cohorts (Ed Warby, Sir Russel Allen, Damian Wilson, Dan Swano, Floor Jansen, and various guests) make music that is more like a cross between Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Deep Purple. Of course, the neo-symphonic modes for which Lucassen seems to have such a fondness also appear. The result is an intriguing combo that seems a bit contrived and sterile at times, but certainly should please fans of the prog metal genre. ~ Gary Hill