Author Topic: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Star Three on the way)  (Read 385165 times)

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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #420 on: June 03, 2013, 08:43:25 AM »
Ska-bump!

No news.......anyone?  :'(
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Offline Shadow Ninja 2.0

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #421 on: June 03, 2013, 08:45:21 AM »
I checked Arjen's website last night. Nothing so far. I did read that he's only working with vocalists he hasn't used before, so that could be interesting.

Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #422 on: June 03, 2013, 08:52:46 AM »
Yea I heard that. Maybe Ross Jennings or Michael Eriksen would be interesting!
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Offline abydos

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #423 on: June 03, 2013, 09:11:45 AM »
But... I want Anneke in another Ayreon album!

Offline Nick

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #424 on: June 03, 2013, 09:13:58 AM »
I've been meaning to get into this band/project for a while, but the huge cast of special guests on the albums kind of turns me off. I've noticed that they've used some of my favorite singers, like Anneke van Giersbergen, but it sounds kind of gimmicky to be honest. I'm not sure if this will make any sense but are all the vocalists used well, like on Devin Townsend's Deconstruction where they all blend in with the music as if they're band members, or does it sound like they're just there for the sake of having an all-star cast?

Well, I'm probably a bit of an Arjen fanboy, but I've always thought that the vocalists were utilized very well. If you're new to Ayreon, I'd recommend you check out The Human Equation first, as most people consider it his best.

I really like 01011001 as well, but there are so many singers on that one, none of them have space.

That's my (slightly) educated opinion. Hope it helps.

I would say, with the exception of 01, one of Arjen's greatest talents has been getting the most out of vocalists and making them shine. And Anneke is fantastic with Ayreon.
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Offline Perpetual Change

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #425 on: June 03, 2013, 10:09:14 AM »
The Human Equation hasn't aged well with me. It IS the best vocalist utilization/line-up on any Ayreon album, but instrumentally it just isn't as good as the others. For that, I have to turn to Electric Castle.

Though, yeah, I don't turn to Ayreon very much at all, and barely listened to Ajren's solo record.

Offline ColdFireYYZ

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #426 on: June 03, 2013, 10:15:49 AM »
I've been meaning to get into this band/project for a while, but the huge cast of special guests on the albums kind of turns me off. I've noticed that they've used some of my favorite singers, like Anneke van Giersbergen, but it sounds kind of gimmicky to be honest. I'm not sure if this will make any sense but are all the vocalists used well, like on Devin Townsend's Deconstruction where they all blend in with the music as if they're band members, or does it sound like they're just there for the sake of having an all-star cast?

Well, I'm probably a bit of an Arjen fanboy, but I've always thought that the vocalists were utilized very well. If you're new to Ayreon, I'd recommend you check out The Human Equation first, as most people consider it his best.

I really like 01011001 as well, but there are so many singers on that one, none of them have space.

That's my (slightly) educated opinion. Hope it helps.
I didn't see this until today, but I still haven't checked ou Ayreon. I'll add THE to my wish list. Thanks!


(edited for spelling)
« Last Edit: June 03, 2013, 01:27:40 PM by ColdFireYYZ »

Offline Shadow Ninja 2.0

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #427 on: June 03, 2013, 10:55:46 AM »
No problem, man.

Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #428 on: June 03, 2013, 11:08:50 AM »
Ed Warby, drummer for Ayreon, posted this on his facebook yesterday.



Setting up for Ayreon recordings at Sandlane Recording Facilities — met Maarten de Peijper.

Knowing Ed, drums for the new Ayreon are being recorded as we speak!  :metal :hefdaddy
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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #429 on: June 03, 2013, 11:59:10 AM »
^^That was exactly what i needed, thanks!  :tup
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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #430 on: June 03, 2013, 12:05:26 PM »
Back to the vocalist thing-I prefer when albums have guest singers performing the vocals that you get, at most, two in a song. It was kind of getting to the point with Aryeon in particular where every song was being sung by so many people you needed charts to keep track of them, and I think that's one of the reasons I kind of soured on Arjen Lucassen's music, it became, for lack of a better word, gimmicky. There's also the problem where he plays damn near every instrument, uses the same drummer over and over, and the albums are all produced identically. It's like, why buy a new one when I got the Universal Migrator Pt 2 right there?
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Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #431 on: June 04, 2013, 07:16:12 AM »
Mmmm....things are moving fast.....



Finished song #2 which puts us... halfway  :-X
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Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #432 on: June 04, 2013, 07:18:34 AM »
Back to the vocalist thing-I prefer when albums have guest singers performing the vocals that you get, at most, two in a song. It was kind of getting to the point with Aryeon in particular where every song was being sung by so many people you needed charts to keep track of them, and I think that's one of the reasons I kind of soured on Arjen Lucassen's music, it became, for lack of a better word, gimmicky. There's also the problem where he plays damn near every instrument, uses the same drummer over and over, and the albums are all produced identically. It's like, why buy a new one when I got the Universal Migrator Pt 2 right there?

Yeah, he´s practically professed to this himself in several interviews. As for the working with the same drummer thing...that´s just a luxury problem, Ed´s one of best, diverse rock-prog-metaldrummers in the country. So why change?
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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #433 on: June 04, 2013, 01:24:25 PM »
Mmmm....things are moving fast.....



Finished song #2 which puts us... halfway  :-X
Halfway? what does he mean?....he only plays on 4 tracks?
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Offline SomeoneLikeHim

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #434 on: June 04, 2013, 04:23:17 PM »
Maybe there only is 4 tracks :metal
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Offline Big Hath

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #435 on: June 04, 2013, 07:09:24 PM »
that would really surprise me
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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #436 on: June 05, 2013, 12:47:40 AM »
Well he confirmed that it's a double album so only 4 track is unlikely unless he's gone major prog on us.  :lol
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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #437 on: June 05, 2013, 12:54:53 AM »
Well he confirmed that it's a double album so only 4 track is unlikely unless he's gone major prog on us.  :lol

It's his version of Tales From Topographic Oceans.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he did that - it would be an amazing departure to the usual concept album format he follows. By doing 4 epics of 20-30 minutes in length, he automatically sets up the vinyl release by doing four sides, one for each song. I'd be interested in hearing epics with multiple vocalists in them, rather than single shorter songs with one or two vocalists being featured.

If Arjen has gone 'major prog' on us, you can bet that his album MIGHT have four SONGS, but they may be tracked by their movements to allow for easier digestion and listening. Each epic may have 4-7 parts, so really, the album could have up towards 25-28 tracks, but still only 4 songs.

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #438 on: June 05, 2013, 01:03:58 AM »
Well he confirmed that it's a double album so only 4 track is unlikely unless he's gone major prog on us.  :lol

It's his version of Tales From Topographic Oceans.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he did that - it would be an amazing departure to the usual concept album format he follows. By doing 4 epics of 20-30 minutes in length, he automatically sets up the vinyl release by doing four sides, one for each song. I'd be interested in hearing epics with multiple vocalists in them, rather than single shorter songs with one or two vocalists being featured.

If Arjen has gone 'major prog' on us, you can bet that his album MIGHT have four SONGS, but they may be tracked by their movements to allow for easier digestion and listening. Each epic may have 4-7 parts, so really, the album could have up towards 25-28 tracks, but still only 4 songs.

-Marc.
I fully agree, i would totally accept that!  :metal
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Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #439 on: June 05, 2013, 04:07:19 AM »
If I read the ´between the lines comments´ right, that first song might have been a half hour long, so.....  :omg:
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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #440 on: June 05, 2013, 04:14:16 AM »
Oh man, I'm getting real pumped now :metal (pr0gbanging)
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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #441 on: June 05, 2013, 09:57:55 AM »
...or maybe he's just recording the songs out of order, and by song #2 he means the second song on the album, not the 2nd song he recorded. :P
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Offline Shadow Ninja 2.0

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #442 on: June 05, 2013, 10:30:41 AM »
It'd be unusual for Arjen to do a really long song. He normally doesn't go much past 10-12 minutes.

Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #443 on: June 05, 2013, 11:04:44 AM »
...or maybe he's just recording the songs out of order, and by song #2 he means the second song on the album, not the 2nd song he recorded. :P
Yea but he said "halfway"!
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Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #444 on: June 06, 2013, 05:47:03 AM »
What´s also possible, is that there´s other drummer(s) involved. But who knows...
From the ocean comes the notion that the realise lies in rhythm. The rhythm of vision is dancer, and when you dance you´re always on the one. From the looking comes to see, wondrous realise real eyes....

Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #445 on: June 07, 2013, 03:50:17 AM »
Another quote from Ed:

´People who know me well are no doubt aware that I'm hardly ever satisfied with my own work, but I gotta say I'm quite proud of the Ayreon recordings we did this week. As usual Arjen and I worked out the arrangements together, in that weird semi-telepathic way, and there's lots of cool, inventive stuff going on!

Just thought I'd share that with y'all.´
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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #446 on: June 07, 2013, 03:56:58 AM »
^^Awesome! And also:

Quote from: Arjen
We finished recording drums for the new Ayreon album. As expected Ed Warby did an AMAZING job again!



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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #447 on: June 07, 2013, 03:57:47 AM »



Arjen: We finished recording drums for the new Ayreon album. As expected Ed Warby did an AMAZING job again!
From the ocean comes the notion that the realise lies in rhythm. The rhythm of vision is dancer, and when you dance you´re always on the one. From the looking comes to see, wondrous realise real eyes....

Offline Lolzeez

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #448 on: June 07, 2013, 04:23:00 AM »
Man,this is gonna be good.

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #449 on: June 07, 2013, 07:01:47 AM »
From the ocean comes the notion that the realise lies in rhythm. The rhythm of vision is dancer, and when you dance you´re always on the one. From the looking comes to see, wondrous realise real eyes....

Offline Shadow Ninja 2.0

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #450 on: June 07, 2013, 07:08:33 AM »
All right! Won't be long now.

Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #451 on: June 17, 2013, 05:19:20 AM »


Creation!!!  — met Arjen Anthony Lucassen. (posted by René Luyt (studio-tech)
From the ocean comes the notion that the realise lies in rhythm. The rhythm of vision is dancer, and when you dance you´re always on the one. From the looking comes to see, wondrous realise real eyes....

Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #452 on: June 18, 2013, 03:06:14 AM »
Small studio report from Arjen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1N2_YVCGbA

I felt some Into The Electric Castle vibes over that. Interesting!  :coolio
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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #453 on: June 18, 2013, 03:18:30 AM »
That violin part sounded so sweet!

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Re: Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Theory of Everything in 2013)
« Reply #454 on: June 18, 2013, 03:54:46 AM »
Came to post that. Most of it sounds pretty cool, some of it, a liiittle less cool.