James Labrie is playing 'Me' in The Theater Equation

[Tim van Duijn]

As many of you know, James Labrie participated in Ayreon's the Human Equation. He played the role of 'Me' in this rock opera.

This album will be played 3 times in its entirety september next year in a theater in the Netherlands and will feature many musicians who played on the album.

Minutes ago, it was announced that James Labrie will perform as 'Me' (his original role) in The Theater Equation , as it is called. As a dutch guy i am very excited and i managed to get a chance to buy tickets early so i won't have to miss any of this.

More info here: www.thetheaterequation.com

[Zook]

Who?

[wasteland]

Wow!!!! This is indeed great and unexpected news!

[The Letter M]

Holy crap! He was the one vocalist I didn't think they would get for the performance!!! Now there's definitely a chance this thing will get recorded and released professionally. I cannot wait!

-Marc.

[Zook]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

[Evermind]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

I think it was spot on. Not overbloated, just the right amount of high notes and a lot of his calm and warm singing. And the mix is awesome as well.

Then again, THE is probably in my top 10 albums of all time, so I tend to grade every performance on it as "perfect".

[Madman Shepherd]

Thats pretty awesome.  I was underwhelmed by the album but I would totally travel to see this if I got the chance (and it were in the states). 

[Tomislav95]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

I think it was spot on. Not overbloated, just the right amount of high notes and a lot of his calm and warm singing. And the mix is awesome as well.

Then again, THE is probably in my top 10 albums of all time, so I tend to grade every performance on it as "perfect".

I agree with you. He was good on that album, especially when he was singing in his middle range.

Great news, is there anything on filming performances? It's been a while since I listened to The Human Equation, I have to remind myself of that glorious album (it's among my favorites)

[lithium112]

Yeah James was pretty awesome on THE. That's also by far my favourite Ayreon album. I will sadly not be in the Netherlands but would love for this to be recorded!

[EdenHazard]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

I think he really nailed that one. Not over the top, just did what fitted the respective songs and delivered every line perfectly. In my opinion it is part of his strongest output.

[goo-goo]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

I think it was spot on. Not overbloated, just the right amount of high notes and a lot of his calm and warm singing. And the mix is awesome as well.

Then again, THE is probably in my top 10 albums of all time, so I tend to grade every performance on it as "perfect".

+1

Wow. I hope they capture this on film for a future DVD release. Is Mikael going to participate?

[Tim van Duijn]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

I think it was spot on. Not overbloated, just the right amount of high notes and a lot of his calm and warm singing. And the mix is awesome as well.

Then again, THE is probably in my top 10 albums of all time, so I tend to grade every performance on it as "perfect".

+1

Wow. I hope they capture this on film for a future DVD release. Is Mikael going to participate?

Well, if they can manage to get James Labrie (imo the biggest name of them all) they can also get Akerfeldt for his role. But i guess it's a matter of schedules. If Devin Townsend could do his job then the whole thing is complete:)

About the DVD release, they are working on that to make that happen.

[robwebster]

...Whoa!!

I was not expecting that!

[Zook]

Am I the only one who thought James' performance on THE was kinda.... Average? I'm not a fan of that album anyway, but the few songs I did like didn't have James on them. He sounds way better on the other 2 albums released that year.

I think he really nailed that one. Not over the top, just did what fitted the respective songs and delivered every line perfectly. In my opinion it is part of his strongest output.

He didn't sound that good to me. Maybe it was the way he was mixed. I don't know.

[robwebster]

He sounds bloody glorious - thoroughly rich and warm.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

He sounds bloody glorious - thoroughly rich and warm.

This. He sounds better in THE than in a good number of DT albums actually.

This is pretty great news and really looking forward to it. A DVD release would be awesome.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

He sounds bloody glorious - thoroughly rich and warm.

This. He sounds better in THE than in a good number of DT albums actually.

This is pretty great news and really looking forward to it. A DVD release would be awesome.

It's funny because I can say the same thing for Bruce Dickinson. Have no idea what kind of magic Arjen do but he sure knows how to push his guests to the maximum. Both BD and JLB have never  sounded better imo.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

He sounds bloody glorious - thoroughly rich and warm.

This. He sounds better in THE than in a good number of DT albums actually.

This is pretty great news and really looking forward to it. A DVD release would be awesome.

It's funny because I can say the same thing for Bruce Dickinson. Have no idea what kind of magic Arjen do but he sure knows how to push his guests to the maximum. Both BD and JLB have never  sounded better imo.

The Chemical Wedding is pretty close to being a perfect metal record. Bruce sounds amazing and better in that album than in many IM albums. Not all, but many. Same goes for JLB imo.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

He sounds bloody glorious - thoroughly rich and warm.

This. He sounds better in THE than in a good number of DT albums actually.

This is pretty great news and really looking forward to it. A DVD release would be awesome.

It's funny because I can say the same thing for Bruce Dickinson. Have no idea what kind of magic Arjen do but he sure knows how to push his guests to the maximum. Both BD and JLB have never  sounded better imo.

The Chemical Wedding is pretty close to being a perfect metal record. Bruce sounds amazing and better in that album than in many IM albums. Not all, but many. Same goes for JLB imo.

Totally agree, love TCW!

[nattmorker]

Wow! This is super good news! I wish I could see this live. It's gonna be awesome, "The Human Equation" is one of my favorite albums of all time (one of my Top 5).

[nikatapi]

This sounds amazing, hopefully there will be a live release.

[ErHaO]

Well, I forgot about the pre-registration and missed it, damnit!  I am a Dutch guy, so I really, really hope to get still get a chance to buy tickets. Now with Labrie in I think the chances are smaller (was not worried about it before). Lets hope for a proper live release, too.

[Rodni Demental]

Well I've always heard about the guest role on the Ayreon album from a few people, so I guess I better get around to actually listening to it...

[snapple]

Wish I could go.

[hefdaddy42]

Interesting news.  Definitely my favorite of the Ayreon projects by a long shot.

[mikemangioy]

When I found out I was like 
THE is one of the best things in the history of things, so I'm pretty excited about this.

[?]

Not an Ayreon fan, but it's cool that they got James to do this!

[billybobjoe1881]

Thanks to this thread I now have another new band to check out.

[Milzinga]

I may have to travel for this. Wow that would be incredible to see live. I've been a fan of Aryeon nearly as long as DT.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Man there are so many people here that I never see in the general section or GMD of the forum. Come over guys, enjoy the diversity of DTF! 

Anyway I shouldn't say to much though because I probably spend 90% of my weekly time on the non-DT sections of the forum. Still a DT fan if you wonder! 

[robwebster]

Man there are so many people here that I never see in the general section or GMD of the forum. Come over guys, enjoy the diversity of DTF! 

Equally, there are a lot of people in GMD and the General section that I never see in the DT section!

We should set up an exchange programme.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

I approve your solution.

[Tomislav95]

Wow, this is epic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4ydPQIF6D0

[kirksnosehair]

I'm a huge Ayreon fan, but was never able to connect too strongly with "The Human Equation"




That said, I'd probably buy a DVD of this if they film it.  Ayreon is one of the few remaining bands that I collect everything he puts out.

[Skeever]

I don't think the vocals for ME are any better than the vocals in DT, but the melodies themselves are much better than the typical DT vocal melody. For me, DT vocals have always been the most unimportant part, and obviously not the main strength of the band, but to be honest it's pretty amazing that people can come up with something to sing over those crazy parts at all.