As Ayreon fans have come to expect from Arjen, the music of Guilt Machine ranges from dark and heavy to atmospheric and melancholic. But Guilt Machine introduces some new twists as well, particularly when it comes to the vocals. Rather than putting together an ensemble cast of vocalists from the prog, rock and metal scene, Arjen has enlisted the talents of a single alternative rock vocalist, Jasper Steverlinck.
For Guilt Machine Arjen also chose to record with a different drummer, Chris Maitland (ex-Porcupine Tree).
Rather than the explicit storyline you would expect in an Ayreon release, the songs of Guilt Machine revolve around a central theme. Instead of looking outward into a world of fantasy or science fiction, the songs look inward, exploring the destructive psychology of guilt, regret and the darkest form of secret -- the secrets we hide from ourselves.
Despite these differences, Guilt Machine still has much in common with Ayreon. The songs are mainly long, "epic" tracks that feature dynamic contrasts between softer, dreamy sections and powerful, heavy passages. There are intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, soaring melodies, and an eclectic selection of instruments -- all what you'd expect from an Ayreon release.
The art for the cover and booklet was created by Christophe Dessaigne, a talented new artist whom Arjen discovered (quite by chance) while browsing Flickr. Coincidentally, it turned out that Chris is an Ayreon fan, and was thrilled beyond belief when he was asked to do the artwork. The Guilt Machine logo and packaging layout were created by Thomas Ewerhard.
2009, Netherlands
Perfection
Guilt Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
thoughtful in the morning air.
Shifting in the golden glow of the array
still I'd know you anywhere.
You look distant in this light
troubled in the morning air
Waiting for a chance to live what you've become
And all the things you are
And all you've lost
Is perfection what you really want?
And all the skies we share
The dreams we walked
I'll be waiting here alone
the darkness calls you home
You look tragic in this light
shattered in the morning air
it fell apart the day they learned your name
but still I'd follow anywhere
You look dangerous in this light
desperate in the morning air
waiting for a chance to live what you've become
I'd see through you anywhere
And all the things you are
And all you've lost
Is perfection what you really want?
And all the skies we share
the dreams we walked
I'll be waiting here alone
the darkness calls you home
I was lost in the perfect world they promised me
I was scarred when they tore the mask away
I was amazed at the lies we refused to see
I was afraid of the emptyness that you could leave behind
You look distant in this light
troubled in the morning air
Waiting for a chance to live what you've become
I'd see through you anywhere
And all the things you are
And all you've lost
Is perfection what you really want?
And all the skies we share
the dreams we walked
I'll be waiting here alone
when the darkness calls you home
when it calls you home
What's one more year,
a trip around the sun?
Rise up and leave me
the journey's done.
What's one more year,
circling the sky?
The future's in motion
You're free to fly
Can we hear the past?
Do we dare to stand alone?
Can we take it back,
make a new life on our own?
Can we hear the past?
Do we dare to stand our ground?
Can we take it back?
Can we turn it all around?
What's one more year,
a trip around the sun?
Rise up and leave me,
the journey's done.
What's one more year,
circling the sky?
The future's in motion;
You're free to fly.
Can we hear the past?
Do we dare to stand alone?
Can we take it back,
make a new life on our own?
Can we hear the past?
Do we dare to stand our ground?
Can we take it back?
Can we turn it all around?
The song "Perfection" by Guilt Machine is a deep, thoughtful exploration of the concept of perfection and the cost of trying to achieve it. The lyrics describe someone who is struggling to maintain their facade of perfection, despite feeling distant and troubled inside. The refrain asks the question, "Is perfection what you really want?" suggesting that the pursuit of perfection may not be worth the sacrifice.
Throughout the song, the singer seems to offer support and a listening ear to the troubled subject, promising to be waiting when the darkness calls them home. In the bridge, the singer reflects on their own past experience with the pursuit of perfection, and the pain of having their mask torn away. The song ends with a more hopeful tone, encouraging the subject to rise up and leave the past behind, and suggesting that the future is in motion and they are free to fly.
Overall, "Perfection" is a powerful exploration of the cost of trying to meet impossible standards, and the importance of finding acceptance and support from others.
Line by Line Meaning
You look different in this light
Observation that the person looks different in this light
thoughtful in the morning air.
Observation that the person looks reflective in the morning air
Shifting in the golden glow of the array
Observation of the person's movements in the golden light
still I'd know you anywhere.
Confident that the person can be recognized despite the changes
You look distant in this light
Observation that the person looks aloof in this light
troubled in the morning air
Observation that the person looks worried in the morning air
Waiting for a chance to live what you've become
Not living the life you've envisioned, waiting for an opportunity
I'd see through you anywhere.
Confident that the person can be recognized despite any attempts to hide
And all the things you are
Reflecting on the person and their characteristics
And all you've lost
Reflecting on what the person has lost
Is perfection what you really want?
Questioning if the person really wants perfection
And all the skies we share
Reflecting on the things shared with the person
The dreams we walked
Reflecting on dreams shared with the person
I'll be waiting here alone
Awaiting the person to come back
the darkness calls you home
The darkness calls the person to come home
You look tragic in this light
Observation that the person looks sad and mournful in this light
shattered in the morning air
Observation that the person looks broken in the morning air
it fell apart the day they learned your name
Things fell apart when people learned the person's name
but still I'd follow anywhere
Confidently stating willingness to follow the person anywhere
You look dangerous in this light
Observation that the person looks menacing in this light
desperate in the morning air
Observation that the person looks very eager or needy in the morning air
waiting for a chance to live what you've become
Waiting for an opportunity to become what one wishes to be
And all the things you are
Reflecting on the person and their characteristics
And all you've lost
Reflecting on what the person has lost
Is perfection what you really want?
Asking if the person really wants perfection
And all the skies we share
Reflecting on the things shared with the person
the dreams we walked
Reflecting on dreams shared with the person
I'll be waiting here alone
Awaiting the person to come back
the darkness calls you home
The darkness calls the person to come home
I was lost in the perfect world they promised me
Feeling lost in a world that promised perfection
I was scarred when they tore the mask away
Feeling wounded when one's true self is revealed
I was amazed at the lies we refused to see
Feeling surprised at the lies overlooked by oneself, and others
I was afraid of the emptiness that you could leave behind
Feeling afraid of the emptiness that the person would leave behind
What's one more year,
Questioning yet another year
a trip around the sun?
Referring to another year's orbit around the sun
Rise up and leave me
Encouraging one to move on
the journey's done.
Acknowledgement that the journey has ended
circling the sky?
Referring to circling the sky for another year
The future's in motion
The future is always changing
You're free to fly
Encouraging one to be free and fly
Can we hear the past?
Asking if we can listen to the echoes of the past
Do we dare to stand alone?
Questioning if one can stand alone
Can we take it back,
Questioning if one can take back what's been lost
make a new life on our own?
Trying to make a new life by ourselves
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.