Unlike Ayreon, the band did not follow one storyline; instead, each song was a different story with a sci-fi concept, most of the tracks based on existing movies and series. The band takes its name from the second season finale of Blake's 7.
Star One was born out of the remnants of an abandoned collaboration between Lucassen and Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson in 2002. Dickinson proposed the idea and the two exchanged ideas and put together four songs, Lucassen writing the music and Dickinson writing the lyrics. The project was abandoned however after Lucassen mentioned the project on the internet and Dickinson's manager called off negotiations. Instead of completely abandoning the material that had already been produced, Lucassen decided to put his own lyrics to the music and created Star One.
When asked on the "Ask Arjen Anything" channel of communication if there would be another Star One album, Lucassen simply stated "Probably". However, he has since stated that he does not want to make another Star One album: "Space Metal was really magic. I am afraid that I will fail to capture the same atmosphere and actually ruin it! I am actually against sequels; you cannot repeat the same atmosphere and feeling like you had with the first album."
In an interview conducted by Ragnarok Radio in October 2009 Arjen stated Star One is "definitely not dead."
In October 2009 in another interview, with Lebmetal.com, Arjen said he was working on what might become another Star One album: "In the meantime I will be working on a new, heavier album. Possible a new Star One album, but then again things never work out the way I plan them", and in a November 2009 interview with Lagrossradio.com, Arjen stated that he was definitely working on a new Star One album and that he had already written and recorded a song.
In March 2010, a "demo listening party" was held where several members of the arjenlucassen.com message board were allowed to listen to the first (only instrumental) demos for the new Star One album. In August of the same year, Arjen revealed the title of this second album, Victims of the Modern Age, and announced that it was ready. The album was released in October 2010.
Beginning 9 February 2021 on his Facebook page, Lucassen began teasing a new Star One album, On 6 October 2021 he revealed that it would be titled 'Revel in Time'. The album is due to release in 2022 under Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Star One.
24 Hours
Star One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a crime-ridden city
confined within these walls
a place without pity
a place of sin...
no rules apply here
among this desperate crowd
you are never coming out
Russel:
you've got 24 hours to change the course of history
just 24 hours, your time is running out!
you've got 24 hours to trace our man and set him free
our very last chance, our fate is in your hands!
Damian:
you're trapped on this island
your life is ticking away
this hotbed of violence
could be your grave...
you're on your own here
no one to save your skin
you better give up
coz there is no way you can win
Dan:
too many died for an empty cause
too many died all in vain
too many died for your senseless laws
count me out, I will never be a part of this game
Floor:
too many died for an empty cause
too many died all in vain
too many died for your senseless laws
count me out, I will never be a part of this game
The lyrics of Star One's song "24 Hours" set up a dark and dystopian world where a crime-ridden city is enclosed within walls and lacking in pity. Damian sings of the violent and lawless nature of this place and how once you enter, there's no way out. Russell's part suggests that the listener has a mission to accomplish in this city and they only have 24 hours to make a difference. It's a race against time to save someone and change the course of history. However, Damian's verse warns of the danger that's lurking and how easy it is to end up losing your life in this city. The bleak environment where you're on your own and no one can help you adds to the urgency of the mission. Dan and Floor's parts speak to the senselessness of the violence and the hopelessness of the situation. They refuse to participate in these games and are calling for change.
Line by Line Meaning
a crime-ridden city
The city is filled with crime and lawlessness.
confined within these walls
The inhabitants of the city are trapped and cannot escape.
a place without pity
The city is cruel and unforgiving.
a place of sin...
The city is morally corrupt and sinful.
no rules apply here
There are no laws or regulations in the city.
among this desperate crowd
The people living in the city are hopeless and desperate.
once you go in
Once someone enters the city, they are trapped and cannot leave.
you are never coming out
There is no way to escape the city once someone enters.
you've got 24 hours to change the course of history
The artist has a limited amount of time to make a significant impact.
just 24 hours, your time is running out!
The artist must act quickly before it is too late.
you've got 24 hours to trace our man and set him free
The singer must locate and release a captive within the allotted time frame.
our very last chance, our fate is in your hands!
The success of the mission is crucial and the outcome will determine the future.
you're trapped on this island
The singer is stranded and cannot escape.
your life is ticking away
The singer is running out of time and may not survive.
this hotbed of violence
The city is a breeding ground for violence and aggression.
could be your grave...
The city poses a serious threat to the artist's survival.
you're on your own here
The artist must rely solely on themselves for survival.
no one to save your skin
The singer cannot count on anyone else to protect them.
you better give up
The situation is hopeless and the singer might as well surrender.
coz there is no way you can win
The odds are not in the artist's favor and victory seems impossible.
too many died for an empty cause
People have died for a reason that turned out to be meaningless.
count me out, I will never be a part of this game
The artist refuses to participate in the violence and chaos of the city.
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.