Ayreon - Merlin’s Will REACTION & REVIEW! FIRST TIME HEARING!

[@ShadowhispersBand]

As an Ayreon fan for over 20 years, I was surprised by the score. I think I underestimated the complexity of the song. The time signature changes happen really naturally, maybe that's why I didn't notice them, or maybr because I know the song for so long and I didn't know much about odd time signatures at that time. And I have to agree, time signature changes only make sense to me if they don't interrupt the flow of the song and turn a song to some kind of patchwork. Great reaction. Nice to discover something new in a song you know for that long

[@Bonovin]

And Irene Jansen , Floors sister , one of the choir girls

[@robynturnham2706]

In Ayreon, everyone gets a chance to shine and they all step up and take the lead when it is required. Check out Everybody Dies, it will blow your mind. Live version, also from the Universe concert.

[@Xenophiah]

Also check out Valley of the Queens, Floor sings with Marcella Bovio and Anneke van Giersbergen (who sang the original). Also one of the backup singers is Floor Jansen's sister Irene :D

[@judedornisch4946]

Just a note on Floor's stage presence and management. Of course her talent and physical attributes give her the opportunity. However her actual training while in a working band with the operatic and musical theater traditions gave her a tool kit that includes the getting and giving of focus allowing her to fit in to most situations. You of course have to have the temperament.

[@kenlansdowne7963]

The thing with Ayreon's music is that it is all from concept albums which are best listened to together. This show was intended as a best of and to squeeze in a few more favourites, some of the tracks were shortened versions of the full track (althouugh Merlin's Will is only 3:20 on the album, it is part of a longer Act wich is over 17 minutes long). Into the Black Hole is a 10:22 track in its full form (with Bruce Dickinson on vocal duties), although the version from this concert is only 6:20. Whilst this is one of my favourite concert recordings, I would have preferred the full versions (like we get in the Electric Castle live show).

[@dominicmain4626]

Intergalactic space crusaders next. Great band and crowd interaction and only 2 singers. Classic ayreon.

[@obud3777]

Guest vocalists Ayreon: Andi Deres - Helloween James LaBrie - Dream Theater Sir Russel Allen - Symphony X Anneke van Giersbergen - The Gathering, The Gentle Storm, VUUR Floor Jansen - After Forever, ReVamp, Star One, Nightwish Sharon den Adel - Within Temptation Simone Simons - Epica Christina Scabbia - Lacuna Coil Barry Hay - Golden Earring Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden Axel Joseph Langemijer - Bodine Dan Swano - Nightingale, Bloodbath Devin Townsend - Devin Townsend Band Dave Brock - Hawkwind Dianne van Giersbergen - Xandria, Libris Devon Graves - Dead Soul Tribe Edward Reekers - Kayak Hansi Kursch - Blind Guardian Irene Jansen - Star One, Karma Jacqueline Govaert - Krezip Jan Chris de Koeyer - Gorefest Jay vanFeggelen - Bodine Johan Edlund - Tiamat, Lucyfire Jonas P. Renske - Katatonia John Wetton - Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, King Crimson, Roxy Music Marcela Bovio - Stream of Passion Marco Hietala - Nightwish Michael Mills - Toehider Nils K. Rue - Pagan's MInd Robert Westerholt - Within Temptation Tobias Sammet - Avantasia, Edguy Tom S. Englund - Evergrey Magali Luyten Mirjam van Doorn Tommy Rogers - Between the Buried and Me Zaher Zorgati - Myrath Timo Kotipelti - Stratovarius Wudstik Steve Lee Ralf Scheepers - Primal Fear Daniel Gildenlow The Flower Kings, Pain of Salvation Ayreon Guest guitarists: Joe Satriani Marty Friedman Megadeth, Cacophony Gary Wehrkamp - Shadow Gallery Marcel Coenen - Sun Caged Micheal Romeo - Symphony X Guthrie Govan - The Aristocrats Oscar Holleman - Vengeance Paul Gilbert - Mr Big Steve Hackett - Genesis

[@justdave9610]

Tommy Karevik- Kamelot Michael Erikson- circus maximus

[@violarockstar]

Dee Snider, too

[@obud3777]

My favorite Ayreon song is “Everybody Dies” 🎸🔥🤘

[@malmkwaks]

I concur. Here is the link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3KkiaeLmbJqrqc

[@AntonNidhoggr]

Oh yes, finally some Arjen’s stuff on the channel 😊 He’s a great composer. Floor is singing on the live version. The studio version was recorded back in 90s with a different singer (sorry can’t recall the name). As for the interaction part. Well, it’s not really a band. It’s more like a stage play + music. It probably adds to the factor of musicians being just musicians. If you look at the singers in other songs (like Everybody Dies etc) they are pretty interactive but also in a kinda staged way. You may not like it but it’s fine for me 😊

[@gottagowork]

Give the original from 1995 a listen. I actually prefer that one, and it's also the album I discovered Ayreon so a lot of sentimentalism there I guess. 😀Song too short? Well, consider it's only part of a much longer story, so... Yes, Ayreon plays with time signatures and dropping the off beats without going haywire. But with some musical background who loves prog, I don't mind some going haywire either - absolutely love that stuff.

[@WenChou101]

Cool to see Ayreon on the channel again. Not sure if you noticed, but 2 members from Stream of Passion where in this live performance. The bassist Johan and the singer Marcela. She was one of the backup singers, along with Floor's sister, Irene. It's funny you mention wanting more, since Ayreon do concept albums, you'll want to hear more from the albums to get the whole story. This song comes from their first album, "The Final Experiment", for those interested.

[@obud3777]

Next Ayreon song: “Valley of the Queens” Live!

[@billtbodger]

Love this version of Merlins Will, Floor is just amazong live, You cannot overestimate Arjen Lucassens writing of songs, he is a stunning recording artist I literally just got back from seeing Nightwish and Floor was brilliant, she is more beautiful in person than a photo ever shows, We really all should wish her well with her Radiotherapy for the Cancer she had

[@obud3777]

Did you see Floor’s sister Irene? She is the tall one of the background vocalists! 🤘

[@TaverenTech]

David, yeah, it was Epica "Sancta Terra" w/ Floor.

[@brucenadeau5920]

Arjen is AWESOME! Outside the amazing music, he's an awesome and humble person. I got a few blocks and personally contacted him via email... He replied and not just a generic email, he took time to address the issue, comment on my fan based comments and helped me get the reacts unblocked.

[@erickvermeulen9734]

I like your breaking down the used rhythms, i feel it but it is hard to count, so thank you. And I think Floor does not just want to perform for the audience, but she loves to enjoy with the audience.

[@TimoArula]

This song is awesome! Originally sung by Leon Goewie, but Floor did a Powerful job to this song! I absolutely Loved it 🤩. NWSU/Ayreonaut/Epican ✌😎🤘.

[@homegnome2429]

Hey DH - nice timing as I finally got to see NW last night in London - absolutely awesome show and Floor even more perfect than I could believe.

[@THEDavidHeretic]

Glad you got the chance to check off Nightwish on your live show bucket list.

[@geertdelange4785]

Fantastic music from the Netherlands ❤

[@greggarvin2663]

Entertaining and informative review! I'm probably not the first to mention this but as an interesting bit of trivia - of the three backing singers, the one on the inside closest to the drums is Floor's sister Irene.

[@5hadow5tep_17]

Imo all the song on that live set where great 👍

[@obud3777]

By the way, Floor is not really a guest member in Ayreon, Floor is a member of Arjen Lucassen’s heavy metal supergroup Star One, and so is the drummer Ed Warby!

[@palantir135]

In Dutch, we call that a Podiumbeest, a stage animal. Like Floor’s leadership role on stage. You want interacting between the singers, look at Intergalactic Space Invaders; same live concert. Great sing along song.

[@mikegershon8528]

My second favorite song from this concert. My first would be anything with Anneke singing!

[@margusgrenzmann3977]

My absolute favourite song from them, I'm usually a total grump and prefer album versions but that one really toppled my usual reservations. The other Ayreon performaces that managed it were twisted coil and the druids turn to stone. Maybe I just really like the lead singer on those.

[@billattercliffe8655]

Floor actually dials back her presence when guesting with other bands, while still being dominant. She never competes with the lead, but she will shine when it's her turn. Go back and watch her with Soilwork and see how she steps back when Björn starts to sing. She works seamlessly with the lead to make the song flow. "Kiss While Your Lips Are Still Red" is the epitome of Floor as a team player. While Marko is singing, Floor is almost invisible, sitting on the drum riser. When it's her turn to sing backing, she remains seated for a while, only getting up as the song moves to its conclusion. Reactors sometimes get confused when they can hear Floor, but they can't see her. Another example, ReVamp was her band and she had complete creative control, yet when it was guitar solo time, Floor backs right off and lets the guitarists do their thing. She never competes for attention.

[@jdal1105]

I'm shocked that you gave it such a high score! Especially with several gripes and criticisms. But I love it so Awesome 🤩😎

[@Kazvon]

It's a pretty jaunty tune about a killing. I like a song or two later on the record and Merlin is like aw shit I probably shouldn't of killed the prophet.

[@hardcorechristopher9174]

Great

[@renejensen7799]

Arjen Lucassen got quite a few masterpieces out there, on diffrent albums imo. now you said Floor worked with Areyon in the past, well she still does, and also got a song on Arjens other project Star one, on the album Revel in time, its the latest album Arjen released.. the song might seem short, but also remember its a concept album, and the story here is follow up, by next songs on album, well i do know that got nothing to do with the song standing alone like here still to do, just a little note. and you did give it a great score, so its all cool..lol

[@gailbreslin5441]

Great reaction David. I agree with everything you said. I wish it would have been longer too especially with Floor as Stage General!

[@violarockstar]

You, Sir, need a proper Ayreon deep dive. What would it take to do a full album reaction? ~Queenie

[@THEDavidHeretic]

No chance on KZbin, it would have to be a Patreon exclusive. 10-15 copyright claims and 10-15 chances to block on one video, waaaaaaaaay too much of a headache.

[@chrisc3834]

Who cares what headphones you use? That's not necessary

[@THEDavidHeretic]

Really? THAT'S your gripe?