What does 01011001 sound like?

A sprawling rock opera that intertwines progressive metal with rich storytelling and complex compositions. Rooted in progressive metal and rock opera. Start with "Age of Shadows (including We Are Forever)".

Is 01011001 a good place to start with Ayreon?

Yes, 01011001 is recommended as a starting point for new Ayreon listeners. A sprawling rock opera that intertwines progressive metal with rich storytelling and complex compositions. By the time '01011001' was released in 2008, Ayreon had established itself as a prominent name in the progressive metal scene, following successful albums like 'The Human Equation' (2004). This album marked a continued evolution of Arjen Lucassen’s ambitious musical narratives, featuring an array of guest artists that expanded his sonic palette. It also followed a period of increasing acclaim for the project, solidifying its place in the genre.

01011001 works well if you're into dynamic journey with narrative peaks, immersive experience for sci-fi fans and wave-like pacing with emotional highs.

How many songs are on 01011001?

01011001 has 18 tracks, running approximately 117 minutes.

01011001

Ayreon · 2008

117 min · 18 tracks · progressive metal

A sprawling rock opera that intertwines progressive metal with rich storytelling and complex compositions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Age of Shadows (including We Are Forever) Start here — This opening track sets the stage for the entire album's narrative arc, blending haunting melodies with powerful vocals that introduce key themes.
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Beneath the Waves — This multi-part suite showcases Ayreon's signature storytelling through music, seamlessly transitioning between different moods and styles while deepening the conceptual narrative.
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The Fifth Extinction — As one of the album's climactic moments, this track encapsulates the overarching theme of ecological destruction and hope, featuring dramatic shifts in dynamics and tempo.
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Unnatural Selection — This track highlights heavy riffs and intricate arrangements, reflecting the struggle against fate and humanity’s choices, making it a standout example of Ayreon’s thematic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album showcases complex compositions and storytelling but has some pacing issues due to its length.

What we noticed

The album features multiple vocalists portraying distinct characters, with each track often shifting perspectives and styles.
Several tracks are divided into multiple sections, creating a narrative flow that interweaves musical themes and motifs throughout the record.
The final three tracks serve as a denouement, revisiting earlier themes and providing a sense of closure to the overarching narrative.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with narrative peaks
immersive experience for sci-fi fans
wave-like pacing with emotional highs
satisfying long-form listening adventure
thought-provoking themes and concepts

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Represents an ambitious concept and innovative use of multiple vocalists in Ayreon's catalog.
Themes: ecological destruction· futuristic dystopia· humanity's choices
Career context: By the time '01011001' was released in 2008, Ayreon had established itself as a prominent name in the progressive metal scene, following successful albums like 'The Human Equation' (2004). This album marked a continued evolution of Arjen Lucassen’s ambitious musical narratives, featuring an array of guest artists that expanded his sonic palette. It also followed a period of increasing acclaim for the project, solidifying its place in the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Dream Theater· Symphony X· Trans-Siberian Orchestra

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Waking Dreams

A pivotal moment where the narrative voice contemplates existence between realities, blurring lines between dream and wakefulness.

Tracklist

Disc 1

1 Age of Shadows (including We Are Forever) Start here 10:47
2 Comatose 4:26
3 Liquid Eternity 8:09
4 Connect the Dots 4:12
5 Beneath the Waves: a) Beneath the Waves / b) Face the Facts / c) But a Memory… / d) World Without Walls / e) Reality Bleeds 8:26
6 Newborn Race: a) The Incentive / b) The Vision / c) The Procedure / d) Another Life / e) Newborn Race / f) The Conclusion 7:49
7 Ride the Comet 3:29
8 Web of Lies 2:50

Disc 2

1 The Fifth Extinction: a) Glimmer of Hope / b) World of Tomorrow Dreams / c) Collision Course / d) From the Ashes / e) Glimmer of Hope (reprise) 10:29
2 Waking Dreams 6:31
3 The Truth Is in Here 5:12
4 Unnatural Selection 7:15
5 River of Time 4:24
6 E=mc² 5:50
7 The Sixth Extinction: a) Echoes on the Wind / b) Radioactive Grave / c) 2085 / d) To the Planet of Red / e) Spirit on the Wind / f) Complete the Circle 12:18
8 Connect the Dots (different vocal version) 4:09
9 Ride the Comet (different vocal version) 3:34
10 Unnatural Selection (different vocal version) 7:14