🎶 The album "01011001" (2008) by Ayreon and the song "Web Of Lies": story, plot, and interesting facts 🎶
🔹 About the album "01011001" is the seventh studio album by Ayreon, the project of Dutch musician Arjen Lucassen, released in 2008. The album's title represents the binary code for the symbol "Y" (in ASCII), referencing the planet "Y" — the central location of the story.
🎤 Unique lineup of musicians The album features 17 vocalists, setting a record for Ayreon. Among them are: Simone Simons (Epica) Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) Jørn Lande (Masterplan) Steve Lee (Gotthard), for whom this was his final recording before his tragic death in 2010.
🌌 Plot: the tragedy of the "Forever" race The album tells the story of the "Forever" race from the planet "Y." In their pursuit of immortality, they transformed into cyborgs, losing their emotions. To reclaim their feelings, they send their DNA to Earth, giving rise to humanity. However, humans repeat their mistakes: technological progress leads to wars and the loss of emotions. In the end, the "Forever" leave Earth with the last human — the "Universal Migrator" (the protagonist of the album The Universal Migrator).
🎨 Cover art and visual concept Artist Jef Bertels created the cover by hand, without digital technology. It depicts the water-covered planet "Y" and beings from the "Forever" race.
🕸️ The song "Web Of Lies": irony of the digital age "Web Of Lies" is the eighth track on the first disc, with a duration of 2:50. It is the shortest but one of the most memorable songs on the album.
📖 Plot and characters The song tells the story of Simone (voiced by Simone Simons), who searches for love online. She sends messages to a mysterious figure, PX, who ignores her. When PX finally responds and suggests a meeting, Simone loses interest and shifts her attention to a new virtual lover — OL.
Interesting fact: OL refers to Oliver Palotai, Simone Simons' real-life husband. Lucassen intentionally included this reference, adding an extra layer of irony to the story.
🎵 Musical features The song stands out from the rest of the album. It carries a light, tender tone with folk and lyrical ballad influences. The instrumentation includes strings, acoustic guitar, and flute.
Vocals: a duet between Simone Simons and Phideaux Xavier (PX), whose parts symbolize an online "dialogue."
📜 Lyrics and their meaning The lyrics mock the superficiality of online relationships. Simone falls in love with a stranger she has never met, only to lose interest just as quickly. The line "I'm in love, though we never met" encapsulates the song's core message.
🔚 Conclusion "01011001" is one of Ayreon's most ambitious albums, blending science, philosophy, and music.
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