CD/DVD review AYREON "The Theater Equation"

(9/10) Almost a year ago many die-hard fans of Ayreon witnessed the musical production of the iconic "The Human Equation" prog metal album from 2004. Unfortunatley Arjen Lucassen didn't perform himself that night, but there have been many guests and friends doing those four shows in the Nieuwe Luxor theater in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Since those nights have been very unique, one out of four concerts has been recorded. It's the show that took place on Sunday, September 20st, 2015 that is now released on CD and DVD.

"The Theater Equation" was more than just four live shows. Already the choise of location indicates that things have been much bigger than musicians performing songs. The entire setup was more a production of a modern rock opera based on Ayreon's "The Human Equation" album.

The result is an impressive show that fortunatley was captured on CD and DVD. Embedded in a formidable set design most of the musicians that contributed to the iconic studio album 12 years ago could also be convinced to be part of those fantastic live events in Rotterdam. Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie was part of the set as well as Devon Graves that many of you also know from his time with the mind-blowing Dead Soul Tribe/Psychotic Waltz. I could continue with name dropping which probabaly would make this review far too long. 

Anyhow, next to the fantastic music, known already from the studio release, it's the DVD/Blu Ray that creates a lot of excitement. As mentioned, this show was more a theater play and the way how it's recorded reflects this very much. Many other filmed live shows are done with various cameras that capture all perspectives and angles. "The Theater Equation" DVD instead gives the fan an idea of how it looked like sitting in the theater. There is almost a feeling of sitting in the Luxor. In the end it is the play and the characters on stage that guarnatee the dynamic and excitement rather than a fast cut and a lot of different perspectives.

"The Theater Equation" makes a unique moment in progressive metal accessible to a wider group of fans, something you shouldn't miss since those nights have been pure and finest art, in many ways.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

DVD 1:

1. Day one: Vigil (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
2. Day two: Isolation (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
3. Day three: Pain (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
4. Day four: Mystery (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
5. Day five: Voices (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
6. Reprise Pain 1 (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
7. Day six: Childhood (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
8. Day seven: Hope (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
9. Day eight: School (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
10. Reprise Childhood (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
11. Day nine: Playground (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
12. Day ten: Memories (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
13. Reprise Pain 2 (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
14. Day eleven: Love (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
15. Day twelve: Trauma (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
16. Day thirteen: Sign (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
17. Day fourteen: Pride (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
18. Reprise Vigil (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
19. Day fifteen: Betrayal (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
20. Reprise School (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
21. Day sixteen: Loser (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
22. Day seventeen: Accident? (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
23. Reprise Pain3 (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
24. Day eighteen: Realization (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
25. Reprise Trauma (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
26. Day nineteen: Disclosure (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
27. Day twenty: Confrontation (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
28. Dream Sequencer System Offline (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)

DVD 2:

1. Try-Out Show
2. The Theater Equation Trailer
3. Behind The Scenes - Introduction
4. Behind The Scenes - Casting
5. Behind The Scenes - The Epic Rock Choir
6. Behind The Scenes - The Band
7. Behind The Scenes - Band Rehearsals
8. Behind The Scenes - The Understudies
9. Behind The Scenes - Cast Rehearsals
10. Behind The Scenes - 5 Days To Go
11. Behind The Scenes - Opening Night
12. Behind The Scenes - Emotions: I Remember
13. Curtain Calls

CD1:

1. Day one: Vigil (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
2. Day two: Isolation (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
3. Day three: Pain (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
4. Day four: Mystery (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
5. Day five: Voices (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
6. Reprise Pain 1 (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
7. Day six: Childhood (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
8. Day seven: Hope (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
9. Day eight: School (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
10. Reprise Childhood (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
11. Day nine:Playground (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
12. Day ten: Memories (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
13. Reprise Pain 2 (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
14. Day eleven: Love (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)

CD2:

1. Day twelve: Trauma (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
2. Day thirteen: Sign (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
3. Day fourteen: Pride (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
4. Reprise Vigil (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
5. Day fifteen: Betrayal (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
6. Reprise School (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
7. Day sixteen: Loser (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
8. Day seventeen: Accident? (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
9. Reprise Pain 3 (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
10. Day eighteen: Realization (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
11. Reprise Trauma (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
12. Day nineteen: Disclosure (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
13. Day twenty: Confrontation (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)
14. Dream Sequencer System Offline (live in Rotterdam in September 2015)

Label: InsideOut Music

Genre: Prog Metal

Release Date EU: June 17th, 2016