Timeline
Ayreon · 2008
341 min · 52 tracks · progressive metal · rock opera
A sprawling rock opera that weaves intricate narratives through dynamic progressive metal soundscapes.
Why this album works
- Best for
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks immersive storytelling through waves patient exploration of complex themes
- Context
- Released in January 2008, 'Timeline' marked Ayreon's return to the studio after a four-year hiatus following '01011001'. This album further solidified Arjen Lucassen's reputation as a pioneer of the rock opera genre, continuing to blend complex storytelling with diverse musical styles. It also showcased the evolution of Ayreon's sound, incorporating more elaborate orchestration and thematic depth.
- If you like
- progressive metal, rock opera
Timeline is an album by Ayreon, released in 2008. A sprawling rock opera that weaves intricate narratives through dynamic progressive metal soundscapes. 'Timeline' received critical acclaim for its ambitious scope and narrative complexity, even earning recognition in progressive metal circles. The album features collaborations with numerous guest musicians, which not only highlights its collaborative nature but also impacted the progressive rock landscape by demonstrating the potential for storytelling within heavy music. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Timeline sound like?
A sprawling rock opera that weaves intricate narratives through dynamic progressive metal soundscapes. Rooted in progressive metal and rock opera.
What makes Timeline by Ayreon notable?
'Timeline' received critical acclaim for its ambitious scope and narrative complexity, even earning recognition in progressive metal circles. The album features collaborations with numerous guest musicians, which not only highlights its collaborative nature but also impacted the progressive rock landscape by demonstrating the potential for storytelling within heavy music. Released in January 2008, 'Timeline' marked Ayreon's return to the studio after a four-year hiatus following '01011001'. This album further solidified Arjen Lucassen's reputation as a pioneer of the rock opera genre, continuing to blend complex storytelling with diverse musical styles. It also showcased the evolution of Ayreon's sound, incorporating more elaborate orchestration and thematic depth.
Who is Timeline for?
Timeline works well if you're into dynamic journey with emotional peaks, immersive storytelling through waves and patient exploration of complex themes.
How many songs are on Timeline?
Timeline has 52 tracks, running approximately 341 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Prologue 3:17
- 2 The Awareness 6:36
- 3 Eyes of Time 5:05
- 4 The Accusation 3:43
- 5 Sail Away to Avalon (single version) 3:40
- 6 Listen to the Waves 4:40
- 7 Actual Fantasy 1:31
- 8 Abbey of Synn 9:25
- 9 Computer Eyes 7:17
- 10 Back on Planet Earth 7:04
- 11 Isis and Osiris Standout 11:09
- 12 Amazing Flight 10:21
Disc 2
- 1 The Garden of Emotions 9:40
- 2 The Castle Hall 5:48
- 3 The Mirror Maze 6:23
- 4 The Two Gates 6:23
- 5 The Shooting Company of Captain Frans B. Cocq 7:42
- 6 Dawn of a Million Souls Standout 7:44
- 7 And the Druids Turned to Stone 6:32
- 8 Into the Black Hole 10:17
- 9 The First Man on Earth 6:54
- 10 Day Two: Isolation 8:46
Disc 3
- 1 Day Three: Pain 4:53
- 2 Day Six: Childhood 5:04
- 3 Day Twelve: Trauma 9:23
- 4 Day Sixteen: Loser 4:47
- 5 Day Seventeen: Accident? 5:41
- 6 Age of Shadows (edit) 5:39
- 7 Ride the Comet 3:39
- 8 The Fifth Extinction 10:27
- 9 Waking Dreams 6:23
- 10 The Sixth Extinction 12:16
- 11 Epilogue: The Memory Remains 9:16
Disc 4
- 1 The Stranger From Within (5.1) 3:43
- 2 Valley of the Queens 3:02
- 3 Isis and Osiris Standout 8:42
- 4 The Two Gates 14:34
- 5 Teaser: The Human Equation 1:32
- 6 Day Eleven: Love (5.1) 3:53
- 7 Come Back to Me 3:21
- 8 Loser (Star One version) 3:54
- 9 Farside of the World (5.1) 6:41
- 10 Back on Planet Earth (5.1) 7:04
- 11 Featurette Actual Fantasy 11:13
- 12 Computer Eyes 6:32
- 13 Day One: Vigil 1:37
- 14 Day Three: Pain 5:56
- 15 The Castle Hall 6:40
- 16 Release Party 01011001 10:01
- 17 Beneath the Waves (5.1) 7:24
- 18 Teaser 01011001 1:34
- 19 Featurette Epilogue: The Memory Remains 6:32
Release Date
January 1, 2008
Artist Origin
Netherlands
Runtime
341 min 20 sec
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