And here it was... my favorite off the "Human Equation" - "Betrayal". While not even being Metal in its conception and instrumentation, it packs a weight and substance that just "hits", aside from lyrically presenting one of the key revelations for understanding the album as it unfolds. However the real reason was... pun intended. It was the arrival in my life of Eric Clayton, the biggest discovery for me in this album (taking nothing away from James LaBrie, Devin Townsend, Marcella Bovio and others I already knew well!). His lines in this song, poignant and powerful, just make it unforgettable, timeless. An understated song, in comparison to others? - Maybe, but just right. You can just sense that from here on, the tangled threads will unwind. As for Days 13 and 14, I saw your initial doubts about artistic choices, but by that album I had already learned to give Arjen the benefit of the doubt. He is brilliant enough he dares to even sacrifice the catchiness or "flow" of the song if it fits the emotional narrative. So, just to suggest, on "Sign" the slight strangeness of the second part, if compared to the harmony of the beginning, capped with an almost Beethovenian heavenly solo... it might be just right, again, to give off the impression of convoluted feelings... I will stop at that. (But I am all on board with your interpretation of the clavecin/harpsichord for Me's lines - he, for the first time, sees the truth stripped to the essentials, so the music is at its most fragile also.) While "Pride" as a song is more of a vehicle for its message - and to quote Pride from Day 12 - relentless. Although the casual "spit and go" flute section also is quite memorable while dovetailing with the attitude. This is now on towards the finish straight, but prepare for more surprises, even as you read the lyrics well.... P. S.: And, wow, what level of expression for the Live cuts! As confessed, I had not seen the show before, and it seems to have gotten better as it went, as everyone "settled in". The Wife and Friend's dialogue in Day 13 is amazingly portrayed, while at 1:02:02 Anneke van Giersbergen's Fear is utterly convincing in her eerie, desolate and hollow-sounding delivery! Now I see: THIS is why she works as Fear, all grunting be darned... This is the sonic portrayal of that feeling for me. Also, I will admit, the visuals give away some hints too early - but that is for someone who knows the script. The album kept the riddle unsolved until Day 17. Overall, a true instance of the sight enhancing the sound. \m/ THANK YOU for this!

Man, every time this 'love' character breaks all the negativite and violendt characters and gives the 'me' something to hold on, it really brings tears to my eyes.Whe really drives the darkness away, and she really is the strongest of them all

Loved the reaction again. Can't wait for Day 16... and what you'll think about that one...

Looking forward to your analysis again! Always like to see people enjoy music!

Because humanity wants to have everything under control, such as time, I won't be able to attend a première again until next week. Then the clock is set to 'summer time' again. Back to the familiar half past eight. I'll watch everything back anyway because this series is one of the best so far. Cheers!

The battle between the different parts of self, Me finally coming in touch with himself, learning more about his past, the development of the story... And then those gorgeous melodies. Every of these songs is so unique. I did find all the melodies fitting but maybe cause I've gotten used to them. Day 13 is very hopeful, Me is opening, softening.

I have had to wait 24hrs to watch this for when I had time to take it all in. Thank you to all who made comments in the live chat This is my first time listening to this and has helped me with questions/options that I have thought about while listening. Always love the breakdown of lyrics which thankfully follow along with what my own conclusion’s. I would so love to join a live chat but it comes on at 5:00 am in Australia but I always watch with the live chat on then read the comments I am really loving doing this in sections but carn’t wait to listen to the whole album and watch the performance as a whole

J'espère que vous avez vu la version théatrique du jour 11 après votre analyse. La mise en scène est très réussite. En parlant de la semaine prochaîne, Day 16 a deux versions Live (Theater Equation et Universe) . Je crois que les deux sont différentes. Quelle que soit celle que vous choisissez pour la vidéo, regardez l'autre après aussi. A vendredi, j'essaierai de ne pas louper la première!

I would love to be a fly on the wall if Tuomas and Arjen ever got together and discussed their compositional processes.

From what I have seen and heard of Arjen's music, when live, I know he alters things at little, it is like he does a review and improves for the live experience. He is a perfectionist and willing to change things, slightly to improve on the original, if he thinks it will work better.

Merci Guylain.. i didnt add to many comments for you on this Ayreon journey, but i listened to every minutte of it so far, well almost, ok i did jump past a few of the lyric dives, but leys say i got 60% of that part.. anyway the songs from this album is NOT the Ayreon songs i listen to with my headphones, i really like the theatre in this album, but its way better for youtube, then for my headphones, i could give you a list of the Ayreon songs i listen to with headphones, if you would like that?? or make that Ayreon/Star one its almost the same right.. exept Ayreon is the big concept albums, and Star one is often with less performers, and more individual songs, even it can be concept albums to, they are still easier to listen to separated..

I actually liked the way day 13 dialog with the Friend and Wife went in the studio version, it just sparked such wonderful radio theatre nostalgia for me. Additionally the production and sound quality of the harsher parts in these and other live songs tend to be something of a letdown to me.

I never understood why Passion was so passive on day 15. Or if she's even addressing comatose Me or if she's a memory of where his Passion was pulling Me back then. Edit: Also, who is Me talking about at the end? Best Friend or Father? Who has always been the "better man"? Is Me projecting his problems with Father onto Best Friend, as he now became the rival that Father was when he was young? Edit 2: No spoilers. Just reminding you of two moments you've already experienced. Do you think he's seen it? Do you think he knows it? Do you think he's been there? It could well be he cries/he's angry because of us. Edit 3: Is honesty Me's motivation for showing the evidence? Doubtful. He simply wants to win. No matter the cost. To be successful, Me'd sell his own soul. He'd betray his best friend. He'd turn his back on the man who has been with him through good times and bad for most of his life.

I disagree with you about song 13 melodically, true, it wasn't a unique inovation, but everything that it did was done right. And the flute echoing the riff was exceptional