- On This Perfect Day
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On This Perfect Day Studio album by Guilt Machine Released August 28, 2009 Recorded 2009 Genre Progressive metal Length 57:37 Label Mascot Arjen Anthony Lucassen chronology Timeline
(2008)On This Perfect Day
(2009)Victims of the Modern Age
(2010)On This Perfect Day is the debut album by Arjen Anthony Lucassen's side project Guilt Machine, released in August 2009. The cover of the album was made by Christophe Dessaigne, an artist discovered by Arjen Lucassen at Flickr.[1]
Contents
Album information
The album features several audio messages sent by fans throughout the songs. The music deals with "the destructive psychology of guilt, regret and the darkest form of secret -- the secrets we hide from ourselves."[2], and the music ranges "from dark and heavy to atmospheric and melancholic."[2], as can be noticed via the preview track published at the band's MySpace page.[3]
Track listing
CD (all editions)
All music by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, all lyrics by Lucassen/Lori Linstruth.
No. Title Length 1. "Twisted Coil" 11:43 2. "Leland Street" 8:03 3. "Green and Cream" 10:32 4. "Season of Denial" 10:22 5. "Over" 6:11 6. "Perfection?" 10:46 DVD (Limited and Special editions only)
- Audio Bonus Tracks
- The Stranger Song (Leonard Cohen cover) - vocals Jasper (4:53)
- Michelangelo (The 23rd Turnoff cover) - vocals Arjen (3:23)
- Fan Messages (8:14)
- Perfection? - guide vocals Arjen (9:37)
- Twisted Coil - radio edit (4:17)
- Pull me out of the Dark - radio edit (Green and Cream) (3:36)
- Over - radio edit (3:56)
- Video
- Trailer "On this Perfect Day" (4:33)
- Making of the Trailer (3:44)
- Interview with Guilt Machine (40:03)
Reception
Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Angrymetalguy.com [4]
Dangerdog.com [5]
Metal Storm [6]
Metalunderground.com [7]
Progrockmusictalk.com [8]
Reveletionz.net [9]
Seaoftranquility.org [10]
Sputnikmusic [11]
Since its release, On This Perfect Day has received favourable reviews, despite a lot of reviewers[who?] agreeing that the songs take several plays to be enjoyed. Elements that were praised included Steverlinck's voice and the dark atmosphere developed by Lucassen; Metal Storm considers it "the darkest and most melancholic [album] the Dutchman has ever released".[6]
Angrymetalguy reviewer, despite admitting to not being a fan of Ayreon and Star One, liked it and stated that it is "easily the finest release that I’ve heard from Arjen Lucassen".[4] Metal Storm gave the album a rating of 9/10 while stating that the album enjoyed "a promising line-up" and "emotional vocal work that builds up intensity as it goes".[6] Metal Underground remarked that it is "a bold combination of grit, beauty, and strong themes riding the line between progressive metal and rock".[7] RevelationZ considers this album as "overall a great album and another worthy addition to the Lucassen catalogue."[9]
The most reccurent difference between the reviews is about it's similarity with Lucassen's previous works. Metal Storm stated, "from all of his side-projects, this is probably the one closest to Ayreon"[6] and Dangerdog.com calls it "different, but the same".[5] However, Sea of Tranquillity stated, "I'm sure there are going to be plenty of Ayreon fans who might balk at the overabundance of atmospheric and mellow moments here and miss the more upbeat and bombastic elements of Lucassen's other releases".[10]
Personnel
- Guilt Machine
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen – rhythm guitar, keyboard, backing vocals, bass, mandolin
- Jasper Steverlinck – lead vocals
- Chris Maitland – drums
- Lori Linstruth – lead guitar
- Guest Musicians
- Additional vocals
- Rozemarijin, Stephan Venker, Ripley, Anonymous, Frederic Dessaigne, Rano Zangana, Masumi Hodgson, Jon Mellado, Ahlroos, Sen, Anonymous, Haydee Garde, Casper Sorensen, Andrew Hyslop, Jardar Folling, Pax, Vinicius TTi, Petho-Devay Ildiko, Claudia M. Luisa Murella – Spoken messages (in order of appearance)
- Production
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen – Music
- Lori Linstruth – Lyrics
- Christophe Dessaigne – Artwork photography
- Jasper van Tilburgh – Band photos
- Thomas Ewerhard – Logo and layout
- Peter Brussée – Mastering
References
- ^ "ARJEN LUCASSEN's GUILT MACHINE: Europe Release Dates, Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth. 2009-06-23. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122446. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
- ^ a b "Arjen unveils new project: Guilt Machine". Arjen A. Lucassen official website. 2009-02-23. http://www.arjenlucassen.com/aal/aa_news.html. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
- ^ Guilt Machine at MySpace
- ^ a b [1]
- ^ a b [2]
- ^ a b c d [3]
- ^ a b [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ a b Revelationz.net 2010
- ^ a b [6]
- ^ [7]
External links
Arjen Anthony Lucassen Solo Studio albumsPools of Sorrow, Waves of Joy • TBAAmbeon Studio albumsSinglesAyreon Studio albumsThe Final Experiment • Actual Fantasy • Into the Electric Castle • Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer • Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator • The Human Equation • 01011001Extended playsCompilation albumsAyreonauts Only • TimelineSingles"Sail Away to Avalon" • "The Stranger from Within" • "Temple of the Cat" • "Day Eleven: Love" • "Loser" • "Come Back to Me"Related articlesGuilt Machine Studio albumsOn This Perfect DayStar One Studio albumsLive albumsStrange Hobby Studio albumsStrange HobbyStream of Passion Studio albumsLive albumsSinglesRelated articles Categories:- Arjen Anthony Lucassen albums
- 2009 albums
- Debut albums
- Progressive metal albums
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