Star One - Victims of the Modern Age

Star One is another one of those all star projects that is driven by Arjen Lucassen.  It is a project that is full of progressive and powerful/epic music.  As with most of these types of projects the musicianship is top notch and the songs are well written.  Lucassen has been doing this awhile and has perfected the format to a "T".  Arjen and his many friends have recently released their 2nd CD Victims Of The Modern Age, which is heavier and darker than its predecessor. Star One’s debut, Space Metal, was bit blusier while Victims take it up a notch.

As with all of Arjen's projects, he has assembled a line up of vocalist that would make his mom proud. This guy must have one hell of an address book.  Victims features the following vocalist:  Floor Jansen (ex-After Forever), Damien Wilson (Threshold), Russell Allen (Symphony X) and Dan Swäno (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale).

Victims begins with Down the Rabbit Hole which is keyboard instrumental, which then leads right into the track Digital Rain. Digital is a killer up-tempo track which features Allen and Wilson in a vocal dual.  The song is catchy and well written.  The next track Earth That Was is fueled by a slow heavy riff, full of balls and chunk.  It is a more straightforward and heavier track, than its predecessor, which is complemented by a really strong melodic chorus.  This CD is not much different than what you would typically get from Lucassen.  Progressive songs full of melody, executed by some of the best in the biz.

Bottom Line:  A melodic progressive CD full of strong song songs that will stay with you.  All in all a solid release from start to finish.

Standout Tracks: Earth That Was, Victims of the Modern Age, Human See, Human Do, 24 Hrs.

-Ragman will get caught up one of these days.