Ayreon
Album • 1998
Welcome! You have entered the cranial vistas of psychogenesis This is the place of no-time and no-space Do not be afraid for I am merely the vocal manifestation of your eternal dreams I am as water, as air like breath itself Do not be afraid Look around, but linger not Where I lead you will follow Mark these words well Ignite my anger with your delay And punishments will come your way You are eight souls of the flesh, chosen from different eras ancient and modern The trivia of your mortal lives is unimportant to me Indeed, some may die... You have a task: To release yourselves from this Web of Wisdom This knotted Maze of Delirium You must enter the nuclear portals of the Electric Castle!
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
Let the Journey Begin HIGHLANDER: What heathen place is this that I've arrived in is now the time I pay for all my sins I can't believe that this is God's creation this realm was fashioned by the Deil's ane hand INDIAN: No it has been foretold, in our legends of old wake the spirit within, let the journey begin HIGHLANDER: This quest you speak of is for redemption how can we travel when our souls are lost you think we find ourselves at gates of new salvation when I can only sense the end is here KNIGHT: We're at the gates of Avalon, the island of spirits we're at the gates of Avalon, in search of the grail The Hall of Isis and Osiris ROMAN: There's no way out, slaves for eternity down in the underworld, the jaws of Orcus I call on Jupiter, ruler of the gods show us the way, from damnation to salvation EGYPTIAN: The fields of Yaaru lie waiting for us all rejoice! the judges have ruled we have been chosen to enter the great hall of Isis and Osiris ROMAN: No you're wrong, we're trapped here in darkness among departed souls, and mislaid spirits I call on Mars, the ancient god of war grant me the power, to free me from this evil Strange Constellations HIGHLANDER: Can you see the stars? Can you recognize the constellations? If I could only see the hills that we're supposed to climb even the sunlight......it doesn't warm.....doesn't warm how are we gonna find our way? If we can't recognize the stars, if we can't recognize the constellations where do we go? Reprise HIGHLANDER: The quest you speak of, it isn't bound for glory no grail exists within this heathen land you think we find ourselves at gates of new salvation when I can only sense...the end is near
Submitted by Grave666 — Nov 08, 2025
There is danger ahead. But do not be afraid. For I am with you- like breath itself. Darkness will lead to light- color will bleed into the night. Beautiful colors, the likes of which you have never seen. Let the dream of confusion lead you into the virgin light! Be gone! Be all- seeing, be brave....Be gone! Amazing Flight in Space BARBARIAN: I'm looking 'round bewildered Is this some dark and evil jest? what brought me to this cursed keep perchance some crazy quest gods forbid I am no coward! pitted against a monster, man, or ghost, I'd wield my blade with crimson gusto for I am the proud barbarian host! HIPPIE: Hey dude, you're so uncool but hey, that's alright like there's no need to get uptight my eyes reflect the stars and smile lights up my face we're on an amazing flight in space BARBARIAN: I shook city walls and towers wreaking havoc in the streets burned palaces of cow'rdly kings not a one stood up to me (fools) here Bear bloody banners in blazing skies brandish battle-axe and broadsword let drums of glory sound like thunder! Hail!! barbaric warlord!! Stardance INDIAN: Chanting Flying Colors
Submitted by Pestilence — Nov 08, 2025
From the cities on the seas To the skyways in the east From the stations on the moon To the planet of Neptune I'm a sophisticated man And you would say I'd understand Is it a virtual design? Are we launched into a time beyond time? Space beyond space We are lost here in this cyber world... Is there no way out? I don't understand your words! They strike as hard as steel I'm sworn to the sacred quest On the isle of Avalon To retrieve the magic chalice Which holds the power to heal Only the pure of heart Are received into the realm Just look around you now and tell me what you see A world full of treachery Skies of silver and seas of gold The past is young and the future old We're closed in by iron gates! Beyond them Elysium waits Far away on the edge of the world in a time beyond time Space beyond space We are lost here in the underworld... Is there no way out? From the birthcry of our race To the mysteries of space I'm an educated man And you would say I'd understand... I don't understand your words! I'm a sophisticated man They strike as hard as steel I'm sworn to the sacred quest And you would say I'd understand On the isle of Avalon Just look around you now, and tell me what you see To retrieve the magic chalice Is it a virtual design? A world full of treachery Which holds the power to heal Far away on the edge of the world in a... Only the pure of heart are received into the realm Are we launched into a… Time beyond time, space beyond space
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
Ah, my friends! So light of foot. So swift. You have come this far. And now, here beneath the Ancient, omniscient boughs of the Decision Tree, one of you must depart this world of flesh Only seven may continue. Only you can decide... Let it be known I won't be the one to die here Honour and glory are heaped upon my name Let it be clear I'm not the one who cries here What about the tall one, the one who's lost to shame I've followed princes, I've raised their bloody banners I've killed and wounded on the side of right I've reaped the harvest and scattered fields with ashes I've buried children, sowed the seeds of hate We're alive I've followed princes We'll survive I've followed kings We will strike for our freedom I will take their lead no more We're alive I will not lie We'll survive In shallow graves We'll arrive in our Eden Let it be known, by Thor, the god of lightning I have been chosen to do battle at his side Let it be clear I was born to go down fighting What about the craven, the one who's lost his pride Don't speak to me of honour, pride and glory I've tasted blood, seen your type before You talk of battle but all you tell are stories You'd see me buried in a shallow grave We're alive I've followed princes We'll survive I've followed kings We will strike for our freedom I will take their lead no more We're alive I will not lie We'll survive In shallow graves We'll arrive in our Eden I'm nobody's slave We're alive, we'll survive We will strike for our freedom We're alive, we'll survive We'll arrive in our Eden
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
Be joyful, my friends! You will now enter the Tunnel of Light! Let brilliance suffuse your souls! Make your choice! Your path is incandescent! Don't offer me the light, when I only know the darkness Thats where I want to hide... There's a chill in my bones, that I recognize from another life That's why I'm heading home EGYPTIAN: Ra, Heliopolis! Ka, Anenti! ROMAN: Into Elysium! KNIGHT: The isle of Avalon! EGYPTIAN: In the tunnel of light! Don't tempt my heart with hope! In the shadows of broken promises, I guard my dreams In the bend of a swollen river In the roots of weeping willows, I choose to lie EGYPTIAN: Ra, Heliopolis! Ka, Anenti! ROMAN: Into Elysium! KNIGHT: The isle of Avalon! INDIAN: The legend has begun! FUTUREMAN: Our one and only sun! EGYPTIAN: In the tunnel of light! EGYPTIAN: Ra, Heliopolis! HIGHLANDER: I rest my broken heart, where the willows weep EGYPTIAN: Ka, Anenti! ROMAN: Into Elysium! HIGHLANDER: I will lay me down... KNIGHT: The isle of Avalon! HIGHLANDER: I will rest my head... INDIAN: The legend has begun! HIGHLANDER: I will close my eyes... EGYPTIAN: In the tunnel of light!
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
And now, this Rainbow Bridge An iridescent span of tears So fragile And yet, so strong Will it support your mortal shells? Or will you fall into the fiery brine below? I hark back to olden days To her and her magic ways Two souls in harmony In an endless sea The cruel wings of destiny Carried you away from me And left a heart unstilled That never will be filled Beyond these Stygian skies Our fortress lies! Across the rainbow bridge! We'll span the sea of tears And conquer all our fears Inside I'd sacrifice my very life To have you at my side Like a dream, I see your face Through the misty haze We were one amid the stars And time never healed my scars Deep inside, the sadness burns I must return! Beyond these Stygian skies Our fortress lies Across the rainbow bridge We'll span the sea of tears And conquer all our fears Forsake this mourning field And drop your shield Across the rainbow bridge Run to the other side Where all our dreams abide Scarlet crimson rosy red I must be dead or stoned out of my head Hoooooooooh! Orange yellow tangerine The acid queen in a psychedelic scene Hoooooooooh! Ochre chestnut chocolate brown I'm upside down on a cosmic eiderdown Hoooooooooh! Ivory milky chalky white The stars ignite, I vanish in the light That burns so bright! Step forward! Step forward! Beyond lies your goal: The Electric Castle! The past is gone! Do you wish to lapse in limbo forever? No! No! No! Be resolute! There are trials ahead And rewards for those who strive (haha) The surreal search endures Run run The past is gone, it cannot be undone Run run The future is here, our fate is drawing near Run run (Run run) Run run The past is gone, it cannot be undone Run run (Run run) Run run The future is here, our fate is drawing near Run run Beyond these Stygian skies Our fortress lies Across the rainbow bridge We'll span the sea of tears And conquer all our fears Forsake this mourning field And drop your shield Across the rainbow bridge Run to the other side Where all our dreams (abide) (Aaaaaayyyyyyeh!)
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
Behold: The Star Towers of The Electric Castle! See how it embraces the sky! How insignificant the mere mortal, dwarfed by the majesty of its electric edifice! But first, my seven searchers - you must meander through the verdant vines of the Garden of Emotions. Succumb to its allure. Breathe deep the intoxicating aroma of endless- entwined emotions.... In the Garden of Emotions HIPPIE: It's kinda groovy in this world of fantasy where no one else can go within these boundaries I'm shielded from reality without a care or woe EGYPTIAN: Amon-ra, have you come to seal my fate? in the garden of emotions free my ka, how much longer must I wait? in the garden of emotions HIPPIE: I roam the universe in cosmic meditation to find my inner me I'm getting high on love spiritual vibrations to set bad karma free EGYPTIAN: Amon-ra, have you come to seal my fate? in the garden of emotions free my ka, how much longer must I wait? in the garden of emotions Voices in the Sky ROMAN: Take up arms and follow me BARBARIAN: Hey who are you to take the lead? ROMAN: I will keep you all from harm BARBARIAN: So what kind of god do you think you are? ROMAN: A warrior is what I am BARBARIAN: No I'm the wolf and you are but a lamb ROMAN: If you doubt my force you'll live no more BARBARIAN: You will end your war upon my sword INDIAN "And voices in the sky shall cause the soul to die" ROMAN: We'll break away by my command BARBARIAN: No we'll crush our foe and quell this land ROMAN: You cannot kill what's already dead BARBARIAN: Whoever rivals me will lose his head ROMAN: You'll endanger all our precious lives BARBARIAN: Well I don't care, I will survive ROMAN: I'm the only one who can set us free BARBARIAN: Go chase your ghost and leave me be INDIAN "And voices in the sky shall cause the soul to die" The Aggression Factor INDIAN: Fury and fear Destiny's near Spirits appear The legend is here FUTUREMAN: It must be feeding on our negative emotions We're at the mercy of some vile computerscheme We'll have to try to hide our antagonistic notions If we ever want to end this future dream KNIGHT: Chivalrous and bold pitiless and cold valiant and true treacherous and cruel chivalrous and bold pitiless and cold valiant and true treacherous and cruel INDIAN: Fury and fear Destiny's near Spirits appear The legend is here FUTUREMAN: We have to free our minds from anger and aggression It's the only way to defy this cold machine If we're to stand up to this emotional oppression We had better stand together as a team KNIGHT: Chivalrous and bold pitiless and cold valiant and true treacherous and cruel chivalrous and bold pitiless and cold valiant and true treacherous and cruel EGYPTIAN: Amon-ra, have you come to seal my fate? in the garden of emotions
Submitted by johnmansley — Nov 08, 2025
At last! You enter the Electric Castle! Here, in this vast hall, where Even shadows fear the light. Here, you must confront your past If you have killed, beware the Gathering of Spirits For they do fish for men. Here, the disembodied Astral World Becomes flesh once more. I pity the men of swords For here, blood runs cold... Cries from the grave resound in my ears... They hail from beyond my darkest fears... Faces of the past are etched in my brain... The women I raped, the men I've slain! Shades of the dead are sliding on the wall! Demons dance in the castle hall... I call upon the sword, the mighty Excalibur Grant me the skill to fulfill my quest! I call upon my king, the knights of the table round Grant me the courage to stand to this test! I call upon the seer, Merlin the sorcerer Grant me the magic to end my pain! I call upon the spirit that lives in the noble heart Grant the passion that will fill my veins Shades of the dead are sliding on the wall! Demons dance in the castle hall... Cries from the grave resound in my ears... They hail from beyond my darkest fears... I call upon the seer, Merlin the sorcerer Faces of the past are etched in my brain… Grant me the magic to end my pain! I call upon the spirit that lives in the noble heart The women I raped, the men I've slain! Grant the passion that will fill my veins Shades of the dead are sliding on the wall! Demons dance in the castle hall…
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
From the wind-torn ramparts of the Tower of Hope, we survey a Thousand futures. Release your dreams from this electric pinnacle You must have hope... You must have hope... You must have hope... You must have hope.... We're climbing up the stairs And hope is flowing through our veins (We're climbing up the stairs And hope is flowing through our veins) There's magic everywhere We've been released of all our chains (There's magic everywhere We've been released of all our chains) We're taking in the view Oceans of blue, fields of green (We're taking in the view Oceans of blue, fields of green) I fear this can't be true We're still inside this dream machine I only felt what I wanted to feel… I only saw what I wanted to see… I'm at the end of my rope… Lost in the Tower of Hope… I see a brand new age Where peace and harmony prevail (I see a brand new age Where peace and harmony prevail) But we're still in this cage Destined to die here if we fail I only felt what I wanted to feel… I only saw what I wanted to see… I'm at the end of my rope… Lost in the Tower of Hope… I see a brand new age Where peace and harmony prevail (We're climbing up the stairs And hope is flowing through our veins) But we're still in this cage Destined to die here if we fail I only felt what I wanted to feel… I only saw what I wanted to see… I only went where I wanted to go… I only knew what I wanted to know… And we became who we wanted to be… I only felt what I wanted to feel… I only saw what I wanted to see… I'm at the end of my rope… Lost in the Tower of Hope…
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
I Soar on the Breeze INDIAN: Spirits - flying, I soar on the breeze mortals - dying, I soar on the breeze into the sun Lovers - crying, I soar on the breeze demons - sighing, I soar on the breeze into the sun I'm drawn towards the sun and then we will be one my soul will melt into the universe FUTUREMAN: It's all a lie ROMAN: You will just die FUTUREMAN: So don't give in ROMAN: For we can win Death's Grunt DEATH: I am the breeze - the bringer of rest and ease I am the wind - the forgiver of those who've sinned I am the storm - I blow the devil's horn I am the fire - the source of lust and desire I am the sun - the joining has begun I am your fate - the guardian at the gate I am death and I claim your final breath! INDIAN: Screams Passing of an Eagle
Submitted by Nargaroth — Nov 08, 2025
It is time to reflect upon your 'ego-self'. No-where to hide when the walls echo the you that we all see. Ah, the smiles dissolve! The pulse begins to race; the face a flush of fear so plainly painted. The Mirror World - the Mirror Maze: Confrontation... Inside the Mirror Maze HIPPIE: Mirror mirror I can see a lonely child, he kinda looks like me staring out into infinity his father lies, his mother cries, his spirit flies up into the skies wandering off to another galaxy FUTUREMAN: Secret fears we all try to hide lie dormant deep inside us defy the ghosts of long forgotten days here inside the mirror maze HIPPIE: Mirror mirror I can see an angry boy, oh well I guess he's me rising up to the society he's aware that no one cares and life's unfair so he grows his hair and takes a trip into eternity FUTUREMAN: Secret fears we all try to hide lie dormant deep inside us defy the ghosts of long forgotten days here inside the mirror maze Through the Mirror ROMAN: I see a man, who's unable to withstand his fears inside KNIGHT: Inside we're all but frightened men but we have to fight until the end is here ROMAN: Hear what I say: I am doomed, I have to pay, I can't go on KNIGHT: Go on and persevere for we have to make it out of here alive ROMAN: A life is but a dream, for in the mirror I have seen what lies within KNIGHT: Within this armor cold and bright lies a noble heart with the will to fight the pain ROMAN: The pain cannot be healed, I'm surrounded by this shield I cannot break KNIGHT: Break through the mirror now, follow me, I will show you how ROMAN: We've reached the other side, I have overcome my pride and made it through KNIGHT: We threw aside our darkest fears and stepped across these new frontiers of time ROMAN: Time can only tell what awaits us in this hell full of deceit KNIGHT: Deceit, guile and treachery, will they ever set us free again? ROMAN: Riding on the wings of time
Submitted by Warbringer — Nov 08, 2025
The future's doored ingress! What lies beyond? One of you, ah, survived so much! Are you man enough to force this door upon its golden hinge? You crave the answer, but can you bear the truth? The door... The future... Our hope's dissolved For man's evolved into another state of being Have we 'progressed' beyond the need of feeling? A cyber-brain The last in the chain of man/machine alliance Have we become the victims of our science? Evil devolution! Is this an illusion? Out here in space Human humiliation! This mutation Of our human race Is this the end? Will we transcend the need for human pleasures? Will we abandon all our earthly treasures? Will mankind yield On the battlefield of natural selection To an inorganic digital perfection? Evil devolution! Is this an illusion? Out here in space Human humiliation! This mutation Of our human race
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
And so it's come to this: Two Gates, two portals await Let your choice be guided by collective wisdom Mmm, hath the prospect of freedom ever tasted so good? One gate completes the circle; one step away from your own Dimension, your cherished time. One gate severs all connections; One step away from the dreamworld of everlasting ebony You call it Oblivion. It is a brave soul who makes the first choice Behold these gates, the first one plain and old Behold these gates, the second forged of gold The gate of old spells out disgrace and shame The one of gold cries out my noble name I challenge death to meet me at this gate! I challenge Odin to pronounce my fate! And if I thrive I've overcome this land But if I fail I'll die a worthy man Open the gate, we’re now on our own Enter the gate to your destiny! Will it be fortune or fate, the truth shall be known Enter the gate to your destiny! Cowards whine beyond the olden gate Valhalla shines beyond the golden gate I walk alone so dare not follow me But choose your own and die in agony! Open the gate, we’re now on our own Enter the gate to your destiny! Will it be fortune or fate, the truth shall be known Enter the gate to your destiny! What evil place might this be? Why are the heavens so black? Eternity threatens, darkness crashes down upon me! Ohh! Like a big black bat of death smothers my senses! Makes me lose my sense of time! This cannot be a dream! I need to be wide awake! Wide awake! When the Valkyries come to take me! To my place among the warriors, to my place by Odin's side! Ahhhh! We have been saved, our journey has ended! But tell us why, why this ordeal? What was your aim, or was it just some game? Have we been humbled, or did we prevail? We've been enslaved, our wounds have not mended! And who are you, what magicians or gods? What was your plan, we don't understand! Did we pass, or did we fail? Open the gate, we’re now on our own Enter the gate to your destiny! Will it be fortune or fate, the truth shall be known Enter the gate to your destiny!
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
I am of the stars. I am called "forever". Eternity courses through my veins. It is cold beyond your sun where we come from. We seed the universe with the milk of a million moons. You are that seed. Your earth is our experiment. We vanquished the dinosaurs with the careless trajectory of a child's lost meteorite. We peopled your planet to experience your emotions - such feelings lost to us aeons ago. How we envied you your loves and passions, your dangerous desires. The fires of your emotions gleamed like lost beacons in the darkened depths of the fathomless universe. And eight of you, plucked from Time. Not randomly, you understand. Representatives of your world's turbulent history. We have observed your tribulations from nameless nebulae. The experiment is over. I am weary now. So tired. I too am far from home. Open the gate - complete the circle. You won't remember - you won't recall - for I am only the air that you breathe, after all...
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
Was this a dream I just had? I have my doubts I can't make out the truth From the lies here inside What kind of trip have I been on? Where did I go? I'd like to know just why Did it feel so damn real There's something strange going on I don't know why It's something I can't place An open space, a shrouded face As if my memory files Have been erased And then replaced by lies False replies, clouded skies A secret yearning lurks inside Like a dream trying to hide Another time, another space An empty feeling haunts my brain A strange void I can't explain Another time, another space I've been relieved of all my pain! I've been reborn A mighty storm has raged And my fears disappeared! I've found the Grail here within In a magic dream I have seen a world Of make-belief, of joy and grief! A secret yearning lurks inside Like a dream trying to hide Another time, another space An empty feeling haunts my brain A strange void I can't explain Another time, another space ...The end is here... ...I soar on the breeze... ...In search of the Grail... ...Free me from this evil... ...Isis and Osiris... ...Let drums of glory sound like thunder... ...Takes a trip into eternity... ...Together as a team... Remember Forever
Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Feb 06, 2026
← Go back to Ayreon