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Actual Fantasy Revisited: +DVD
 
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Actual Fantasy Revisited: +DVD [CD]

Ayreon | Format: Audio CD
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
Price: £11.50 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

Actual Fantasy Revisited: +DVD + Final Experiment -Spec- + Universal Migrator 1&2
Price For All Three: £32.08

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  • In stock.
    Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
    This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

  • Final Experiment -Spec- ~ Ayreon Audio CD £9.99

    In stock.
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  • Universal Migrator 1&2 ~ Ayreon Audio CD £10.59

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Product details

  • Audio CD (19 Oct 2009)
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Century Media
  • ASIN: B002QVOPXO
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 150,859 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. D. B. Sillars VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
After the success of Arjen Anthony Lucassen's first album under the Ayreon moniker "The Final Experiment", he consciously did not want to repeat the formula of that album. So for the second Ayreon album, the conceptual rock opera structure was dispensed with together with using a large ensemble of guest musicians and vocalists. "Actual Fantasy" was based around separate songs, only vaguely connected by the fact that their subject matter covered elements of fantasy films and stories.

When "Actual Fantasy" was originally released it was not as commercially successful as the previous album. Whether this was due to the change in format or use of more electronic based instrumentation is not clear. However, Arjen has now taken the opportunity afforded by InsideOut's re-issue programme of all Ayreons albums to re-visit the album to the extent of re-recording many parts. The most drastic and important addition is Ed Warby's drums, replacing the original computer generated percussion tracks. Also included in this re-release package is a bonus DVD which includes a complete 5.1 surround mix of the new 2004 version, the original 1996 album, a videoclip of "The Stranger from Within" track and a short featurette on the re-recording process.

The re-recording and remastering process have completely transformed this album. The new version of the album is staggering and reveals what a sensational album this really is. The combination of the excellent vocals of Robert Soeterboek, Edward Reekers and Okkie Huysdens produce a huge harmonically rich blanket behind which Arjens swirling synths and guitars conjure up a sonic storm. The addition of Ed Warby with Peter Vink on bass adds a solid foundation which was crucially missing from the original recording. Musically, this album is melodically rich and complex. The epic soundstage we have come to know and love from Arjens later works is in abundance here. No wonder he wanted to mix this in 5.1. In stereo it is great, but the complexity, depth and nuances of production cries out for the extra freedom of sound separation available from the 5.1 format, in order to fully reveal the startling sounds conjured up by Arjen.

With this impressive re-issue, "Actual Fantasy" will hopefully at last garner the recognition it truly deserves within Ayreon's already highly regarded catalogue of recordings.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is my favourite Ayreon cd, I've had the original for some time now, this is a re-worked version, real drums as opposed to electronic drums, re-recored vocals etc, it's quite different to the original but still a masterpiece, if you have the first version it might be a shock hearing it so differently, but it's still worth the purchace, if your new to Ayreon start here, I find this cd the epitome of melodic progressive rock, the track "Abbey of Synn" will take your breth away.
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A bit disappointing. 18 Sep 2011
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I just find some of the songs on here a bit tedious and cliched, the music a bit dated in style really. Or maybe that's just because I'm comparing to the complexity and wonder of the later Ayreon cds. And I haven't heard the earlier version of this. But the song Computer Eyes is amazing and I love it - it's almost worth the price of the cd for that song alone. It's about the film Tron and would have fitted perfectly on Space Metal or Victims Of The Modern Age.
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