It Was A Strange Feeling ...

 ... when notification for Arjen Lucassen popped up and I was about to enjoy his latest. I wasn't disappointed. No, Arjen is always top notch. This time too, but then ...

Out of fog and memory a recognizable silhouette emerged, I couldn't believe my eyes, but here it was, URPK-1, AD complex Grom, MR-710 Frigate radar, everything so familiar ...

Project 1143 (Krechet) Kiev was looking at me 44 years later after I was on her in Sevastopol. What a strange feeling to see a ghost in the latest video by Dutch (and world) progressive rock/metal legend. They were beautiful ships, despite the weakness of original VTOL Yak-38. What was coming after 38 was a revolutionary Yak-141. Gorbachev killed that program, and then the country. 

And sudden return in such a strange way to my youth in the latest from Arjen was really special. Those were real Sea Control Ships Elmo Zumwalt wanted to see in the US Navy. Well ... you know the story. 

I Am Completely Done With Writing...

 ... now I am just waiting for final edit from the chief editor and then the book goes off to printing with blurbs from some people I know. There is a lot in the book which many of you already know or have been subjected to in my previous three books. Meanwhile, I am pouring myself some Jack (so unusual to feel the pressure of writing lifted off my shoulders) and getting into the magical world of Ayreon. 

Nice title, right? Great music and great lyrics...

This is not over
I am sure we'll find a way out of this desperate situation
This is not over even if it all seems hopeless
For in the end we'll cross this bridge together!

Arjen as always is bombastic and mystic. The music is great and harks back to a masterpiece of The Final Experiment. Obviously, those who never heard Russian prog band Little Tragedies with their mind-boggling New Faust may not recognize the mental thrust--all this is in the same vein--a recognition of a tectonic scale change of the world. Played by music virtuosos, for the rest--there is always Taylor Swift. 

Sail Away...

 ... to one of the greatest pieces of rock music... 

It is deeper than you may think... Enjoy.