All music written, performed and recorded by Peter Swart.
Peter Swart: keyboards, guitars and vocals.
Mastering: Peter van ‘t Riet, FineTune.nl
Special thanks to Hans van Vuuren of Pseudonym Records for his support.
Artwork: Jan Bexterman
1. Space and Planet
Spaceship The Spyral sets course for ODERAN, one of the four planets of the star Upsilon Andromeda. On board more than 100 persons, most of them civilians. The expedition is led by a scientific staff, made up of 9 members, ranging from astronomist to psychologist to nutrition expert.
It’s to them to lead the colonial mission to the faraway planet, from which is known that is has earthly conditions and considered to be habitable for humans.
The community alas is not as united as hoped for and it’s only after a turbulent period in space that the earthlings set foot on ODERAN.
2. Plains and Valleys
The Spyral lands on RZ-3, one of the vast plains of ODERAN. In the nearby future this plain will be theatre ground of grand battles and silent ceremonies for them who find ODERAN to be their last resort.
The exploration of the planet lead small groups of scientists to lakes and caves. Feeling the wind in your hair and the warmth of Upsilon Andromeda on your face, while calmly hoovering through valleys surrounded by extreme forms of vegetation. Most of them not friendly…
3. Disruption
Men will find out that ODERAN is not the hospitable planet they had expected and hoped for. It turns out to be the home of strange creatures of humanoid, floral and animal origin.
Who is the alien?
The mission certainly disturbs the Oderani balance of power between these lifeforms.
4. The Caves
During missions on ODERAN a vast system of caves is discovered and explored. Here the indigenous live their silent life, full of ceremonies and traditions. The caves are lit by light bearing stones of great attraction.
Some staff members find refuge in this underworld to recover and will become absorbed by the Oderani way of life. Others are captured with the risk of being presented to bestial or floral deities.
5. The Deep
Near plain RZ-3 and the place of the first settlement a lake is found. At first the tensed human beings treat it as a place to relax and swim. But the water pit turns out to be the home of a monstrous creature, worshipped by the Oderani and which will be a source of destruction for unwilling earthlings. In an underwater mission it will be hunted down to its lair.
6. Oderani Forces
Majestic purple beams transform plain RZ-3 into an apocalyptic setting…
The humans encounter many strange lifeforms, both beautiful and hostile. The hierarchy of powers is difficult to comprehend and it feels that an unknown alien force is constantly present, hidden in dense black clouds.
Is it of divine nature or does it has its origin on one of the other planets of Andromeda? Or perhaps even farther away. Are the earthlings not the first visitors that have chosen ODERAN for settlement?
7. Dance of the Three Moons
ODERAN is accompanied by the moons NEER, RAN and DERAN. In diverse constellations they bring formidable views, which can be admired while sitting on a rock beside your lover in the late evening. Or in solitude on a chair near The Spyral on plain RZ-3.
I saw you holding hands with her
in every move her love was sure.
All the moments that she shared with you
there was closeness that we never knew.
Your head was resting on her chest
her eyes they promised you the best.
You didn’t face me, blocked my eye
the moment that we said goodbye.
8. The Tears of Tara
Personal relations are constantly under pressure. Tara Hanson, the biologist, has developed deep feelings for psychologist Martin Black…
Black is torn between his affections for Tara and for Sandra Johansen, one of the medics.
On the day of Black’s return to Earth for Tara it all seems clear.
9. Back Home
The first mission turns out to be an experiment, a simple prelude to a gigantic military colonization force heading for ODERAN. Just before a seemingly final confrontation with the Oderani Might there is the chance of returning to Earth. Some choose to do so, others choose to stay.
Never again signals of the remaining colonists have reached our planet…