7 Times A Song’s Album Version Wasn’t The Best One

Superior version: Leon Goewie version.

The Ayreon project has been a breeding ground for wet dreams, largely because the excitement of a new album often has less to do with mastermind Arjen Lucassen himself and more to do with the celebration of talents he books to perform on it, especially in the vocal department.

At best, he plans for the worst and at times when he was uncertain if he would be able to secure his intended singer, guests already appearing on his albums performed additional parts in the event of someone else’s absence. At worst, he is a perfectionist. In reference to recording Eyes of Time for Ayreon: The Final Experiment, Lucassen reportedly went through six singers trying to find the one he felt best suited the song.

The version that ultimately appeared on the album featured Lenny Wolf of Kingdom Come behind the mic and while it certainly is a decent take on the song, it pales in comparison to Leon Goewie’s performance in the only early recording of the song widely available.

One could argue that Wolf’s performance is more suited for the character since his performance exudes fear and weakness whereas Goewie’s performance sounds like angry Shakespeare in the park, but favor goes to the latter for a far more engaging performance overall.