The Final Experiment

You may also be looking for the actual experiment.

The Final Experiment
Ayreon
Released	October 27, 1995
Recorded	1995
Length	71:17
Label	Transmission

"The outcome of the final experiment has now been placed in your hands..."

Synopsis

In 2084 mankind on the brink of collapse sends visions of its downfall into the past in one last effort to save itself, the final experiment.

Plot

Prologue

By the late 21st century Earth has undergone a multitude of natural and man-made disasters. War and environmental catastrophe threaten the lives of every human alive, while the dominance of computers raises the question of whether Human life has already lost its value.

Scientists in the year 2084 have one last chance to save mankind; to change the history of the planet and avert the fate it can no longer escape. Using the newly developed Time telepathy program, visions of humanity's decline are sent back in time with the hopes they will be picked up by individuals throughout history who can change the future into a long and prosperous one. (River of Time, E=mc 2, Prologue)

King Arthur's Court

Good fate has guided Ayreon to Camelot, King Arthur's castle, where he is welcomed as a worthy minstrel.

Visual Echoes

The time has come for Ayreon to set about his mission, he sings about three main causes of the Earth's eventual destruction

Merlin's Will and Ayreon's Fate

The great Merlin, Arthur's magician and prophet, has observed Ayreon's endeavors argus-eyed, but now he believes the moment has come for him to intervene.

Musicians

Ayreon

• Arjen Anthony Lucassen - vocals (tracks 7, 10, 11 & 15), guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion, timpani, audio mixing, sleeve design & photography

Vocalists

• Barry Hay on "Sail Away To Avalon"
• Edward Reekers as Merlin on "Prologue," "The Awareness" and "Ayreon’s Fate;" as Ayreon on "The Awareness" and "Ayreon’s Fate"
• Ian Parry as Nobleman on "Ye Courtyard Minstrel Boy", "Computer Reign" and as Merlin on "Ayreon’s Fate"
• Jan-Chris de Koeijer on "The Banishment"
• Jay van Feggelen as Merlin on "Ayreon's Fate" and "Waracle"
• Lenny Wolf on "Eyes Of Time"
• Leon Goewie as Merlin on "Merlin's Will" and "Ayreon's Fate"
• Robert Soeterboek as Villagers on "The Banishment" and as Merlin on "Ayreon's Fate"
• Ruud Houweling as Ayreon on "The Charm Of The Seer"
• Lucy Hillen on "The Charm Of The Seer;" as Chorus on several tracks
• Debby Schreuder as Merlin, Women and Villagers on "Ayreon's Fate;" as Chorus on several tracks
• Mirjam van Doorn as Merlin, Women and Villagers on "Ayreon's Fate;" as Chorus on several tracks
• Irene Jansen (bonus)
• Marcela Bovio (bonus)
• Peter Daltrey (bonus)
• John Cuijpers (bonus)
• Esther Ladiges (bonus)
• Rodney Blaze (bonus)
• Astrid van der Veen (bonus)
• Valentine (bonus)

Keyboards

• Cleem Determeijer (tracks 2-6, 14)
• Rene Merkelbach (tracks 4, 6, 11, 12)

Drums

• Ernst van Ee (tracks 2-4, 6-10, 12, 15)
• Davy Mickers

Bass

• Peter Vink - acoustic bass (tracks 3-4, 7-8)
• Jolanda Verduijn (tracks 4, 6, 15)
• Jan Bijlsma (track 11)

Cello

• Marieke van der Heyden
• Dewi Kerstens

Artwork

• Ruud Houweling
• Richèle Nijst
• Jacoby Peters

Designs

• Richele Nijst - additional
• Jacoby Peeters - additional
• Ruud Houweling - sleeve

Miscellaneous

• Ewa Albering – flute
• Lori Linstruth – electric lead guitar solos
• Jeroen Goossens – assorted wind instruments
• Valentine – piano, vocals
• Oscar Holleman – engineering
• Sjoerd Kops - photography
• Peter Brussee - mastering
• Oscar Holleman - production, mixing & engineering

Notes

• The songs River of Time and E=mc 2 from 01011001 are prequels to this album.

Song List

1. Prologue
   1. The Time Telepathy Experiment
   2. Overture
   3. Ayreon's Quest
2. The Awareness
   1. The Premonition
   2. Dreamtime (Words Become a Song)
   3. The Awakening
3. Eyes of Time
   1. Eyes of Time
   2. Brainwaves
4. The Banishment
   1. A New Dawn
   2. The Gathering
   3. The Accusation
   4. The Banishment
   5. Oblivion
5. Ye Courtyard Minstrel Boy
6. Sail Away to Avalon
7. Nature's Dance
8. Computer Reign (Game Over)
9. Waracle
10. Listen to the Waves
11. Magic Ride
12. Merlin's Will
13. The Charm of the Seer
14. Swan Song
15. Ayreon's Fate
    1. Ayreon's Fate
    2. Merlin's Prophecy
    3. Epilogue

External Links

• The Final Experiment on www.arjenlucassen.com
• The Final Experiment article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.