Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Star Three on the way)

[Kwyjibo]

Don't understand why there is a dvd and a blue-ray in the package. When I don't have a br player I don't need the blue-ray, when I have one, the dvd is obsolete.

But anyway, forgot this is released now, will have to decide which format I need.

[ProfessorPeart]

Was undecided between the Earbook and separate releases. I can get the Blu and the CD's for $26 total from Amazon. The Earbook is double that. In the end, I couldn't justify double the price for bigger pictures and a DVD that I will never use.

I ordered the Blu and CD sets today. Should have them on Friday.

[The Letter M]

Don't understand why there is a dvd and a blue-ray in the package. When I don't have a br player I don't need the blue-ray, when I have one, the dvd is obsolete.

But anyway, forgot this is released now, will have to decide which format I need.

I think having a BD and DVD is for folks who perhaps only have a blu-ray player on one tv in their house, but a DVD player on another, so having the option to view it in either room is nice? Or perhaps you bring it to a friend's place and they have one player but not the other, so then you've got options!

Either way, it's nice to have it all in one package so fans can get one video release with the CDs, and they won't have to worry about making two different sets - a CD and DVD set, and a separate CD and BD set.

Also, I got a shipping confirmation email from Mascot earlier, too, so I can't wait to get my earbook next week!

-Marc.

[countoftuscany42]

Help me decide if I should get the earbook. I’m really interested but the US store seems to be sold out, and from EU it ends up $80+ 
Is it worth it?

https://www.lasercd.com/cd/ayreon-universe-2cd2dvdblu-ray-deluxe-edition

Here you go.

Thank you good sir! Any idea if their stock is signed as well? Or was that only offered through Mascot

[goo-goo]

Help me decide if I should get the earbook. I’m really interested but the US store seems to be sold out, and from EU it ends up $80+ 
Is it worth it?

https://www.lasercd.com/cd/ayreon-universe-2cd2dvdblu-ray-deluxe-edition

Here you go.

Thank you good sir! Any idea if their stock is signed as well? Or was that only offered through Mascot

No problem.  Their stock is not signed.

[Nick]

Help me decide if I should get the earbook. I’m really interested but the US store seems to be sold out, and from EU it ends up $80+ 
Is it worth it?

https://www.lasercd.com/cd/ayreon-universe-2cd2dvdblu-ray-deluxe-edition

Here you go.

Thank you good sir! Any idea if their stock is signed as well? Or was that only offered through Mascot

No signed as goo-goo said, however I've placed a lot of rather large orders through LaserCD. They are a great retailer so if you decide to order from there be sure to at least check out any new releases and sales.

[ProfessorPeart]

No signed as goo-goo said, however I've placed a lot of rather large orders through LaserCD. They are a great retailer so if you decide to order from there be sure to at least check out any new releases and sales.

Absolutely! Anytime I order from them I always look over the Sales and Bargain Bin. I have picked up a bunch of things for less than $5 that I never would've purchased otherwise.

Ken runs a great site and everything is always very well packaged for shipment.

[goo-goo]

No signed as goo-goo said, however I've placed a lot of rather large orders through LaserCD. They are a great retailer so if you decide to order from there be sure to at least check out any new releases and sales.

Absolutely! Anytime I order from them I always look over the Sales and Bargain Bin. I have picked up a bunch of things for less than $5 that I never would've purchased otherwise.

Ken runs a great site and everything is always very well packaged for shipment.

I second this and Nick's comments as well.

[Nick]

Out for delivery... I AM READY.

[The Letter M]

Out for delivery... I AM READY.

SAME!!! I've got my weekend ready to watch this!!!

-Marc.

[kaos2900]

The blu-ray is only $13 on Amazon. Ordered!

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

It's now also available online: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ayreonuniverse

[cramx3]

The blu-ray is only $13 on Amazon. Ordered!

Same 

[The Letter M]

Out for delivery... I AM READY.

SAME!!! I've got my weekend ready to watch this!!!

-Marc.

My set was delivered to my doorstep about 40 minutes ago...but I'm stuck at work til 8ish, then going out afterwards and won't be home til after midnight. Well, at least I know (by tracking) it made it there. Cannot wait to watch it this weekend and be in utter awe of the amazing performances!

-Marc.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Damn what a show! I'm now even more annoyed I didn't get my lazy ass down there and witness this thing live, must have been an amazing experience.

Anyway some many highlights to mention but I think my favourites so far are:

Abbey of Synn, such a cool opener and Robert nails it.
Merlin's Will
Star of Sirrah
And The Druids Turn To Stone, Damian
Loser
Computer Eyes
Everybody Dies
The Eye of Ra

[countoftuscany42]

Turns out the US store did still have signed copies of the earbook in stock, so ordered! 
Not sure why it didn’t work the other day, but MLGs website isn’t exactly known to be functional I take it 

[The Letter M]

Turns out the US store did still have signed copies of the earbook in stock, so ordered! 
Not sure why it didn’t work the other day, but MLGs website isn’t exactly known to be functional I take it 

  That's awesome! Glad you were able to get one! I opened up my package last night and was surprised at how the earbook was wrapped! I don't remember if it was explicitly stated, but the surprise inside was a really nice and fun way to wrap the earbook!

Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but the photos inside the book are REALLY stunning! The whole package looks gorgeous!

-Marc.

[countoftuscany42]

All I’m hoping is that it’s packaged better than the signed vinyl of The Source. The signature looked great, but the sticker indicating the color/limited number was stuck on the sleeve itself, not the shrink wrap. So once I was able to get the sticker off it left a sticky residue that was tough to get rid of, left a little damage in the sleeve but luckily not too bad. Either way, can’t wait to get this 

[Cool Chris]

Mid-level Ayreom fan here, saw some clip son youtube. Looks pretty cool, though some of the camera shots and angles weren't as appealing as I've seen in other recent concert vids.

Question... why isn't Arjen playing on stage except for a song or two at the end?

[Nick]

Question... why isn't Arjen playing on stage except for a song or two at the end?

He plays for four songs, from Castle Hall through the end.

And he hates playing live, and I think quite believes both guitarists and keyboard player are far better than he is in that setting. I'd say the only reason he played at all was because he was expected to, but I'm sure he would have been just as happy directing everything and staying off camera.

Edit: Also worth noting the songs he played live. Castle Hall and Day 11 were both played during the Star One and Stream of Passion tours, while Eye of Ra and Amazing Flight were played on the Star One tour. He kept to things he knew and has done before.

[Adami]

I am loving this blu ray.


And whoever this guy who is singing Dawn of a Million Souls is seriously crushing it. Hard to replace Russell Allen but this guy is coming damn close.

[Nick]

I am loving this blu ray.


And whoever this guy who is singing Dawn of a Million Souls is seriously crushing it. Hard to replace Russell Allen but this guy is coming damn close.

Said it in the interview, but it should be repeated. I was there, pretty much everyone I talked to was sad Russell Allen wasn't there. But I don't think anyone got through that song and was still missing him. Jaycee brought the pipes and the presence, it was phenomenal.

[ChuckSteak]

Don't understand why there is a dvd and a blue-ray in the package. When I don't have a br player I don't need the blue-ray, when I have one, the dvd is obsolete.

But anyway, forgot this is released now, will have to decide which format I need.

[Ben_Jamin]

Still waiting for this....tracking said should be here on the 3rd. Sadly I'll be in Denver for Nightwish then. Was hoping to have it so I can jam the cd on the drive.

[Cool Chris]

Question... why isn't Arjen playing on stage except for a song or two at the end?

And he hates playing live, and I think quite believes both guitarists and keyboard player are far better than he is in that setting. I'd say the only reason he played at all was because he was expected to, but I'm sure he would have been just as happy directing everything and staying off camera.

Interesting, thanks Nick. Again, not a huge Ayreon fan here but I would have thought some of the appeal of the show would be to see him playing, even if there are other musicians who would be considered "better."

[SwedishGoose]

Question... why isn't Arjen playing on stage except for a song or two at the end?

And he hates playing live, and I think quite believes both guitarists and keyboard player are far better than he is in that setting. I'd say the only reason he played at all was because he was expected to, but I'm sure he would have been just as happy directing everything and staying off camera.

Interesting, thanks Nick. Again, not a huge Ayreon fan here but I would have thought some of the appeal of the show would be to see him playing, even if there are other musicians who would be considered "better."

It is definitely part of the appeal of this BR.... he did not play anything on The Theater Equation.

[Cyclopssss]

Question... why isn't Arjen playing on stage except for a song or two at the end?

If you want to see some serious Arjen playing, I'd suggest you check out the live dvd of Star One 'Live on Earth' from 2003. (if you can get it)  The image quality is a lot less then this new one is, though. Also, Russel Allen is on that one as well.

[jingle.boy]

Question... why isn't Arjen playing on stage except for a song or two at the end?

If you want to see some serious Arjen playing, I'd suggest you check out the live dvd of Star One 'Live on Earth' from 2003. (if you can get it)  The image quality is a lot less then this new one is, though. Also, Russel Allen is on that one as well.

It was damned hard for me to find ... 7 years ago!  Not sure how expensive it might be to get now.

[Cyclopssss]

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/star-one-on-earth/1000004011659414/?promo=creator-carousel_12095423_bestsold_1000004011659414_pos2

[Nick]

Damn, time to sell!

[jingle.boy]

That's actually a pretty decent price.  I assume it's in euros + shipping.  I think I dropped about $40 USD.  They didn't ship to Canada, so I shipped it to a team-mate of mine in the US, and picked it up from him on my next trip down there.

[Kwyjibo]

Yeah it's in euros and shipping is included so it's not that expensive. For comparison the Ayreon Universe package sells for 47 euros (but that's the earbook and it has an additional blueray)

[ProfessorPeart]

$17 for the Star One Live On Earth CD/DVD combo at Laser CD.

https://www.lasercd.com/dvd/live-earth-limited-edition-2cddvd

Arjen also performed on the live DVD from the first Stream Of Passion tour. It was him and Lori on guitar. Johan was also on bass as well.

[ErHaO]

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/star-one-on-earth/1000004011659414/?promo=creator-carousel_12095423_bestsold_1000004011659414_pos2

Dutch people should order from Germany, it seems to be much cheaper there and shipping is not that much.

Anyways, Live in the Real World (Stream of Passion) and Live on Earth (Star One) are both awesome, especially the latter.

[Adami]

This dvd is amazing. I really love it.

My only real complaint is that they did a very edited version of Eye of Ra which seemed sad, but with the gigantic setlist, I understand. Though I wouldn't mind having a song like Merlin's Will cut to allow for the full version. Ah well.

Also I thought it was so cool that Irene Jansen got to take the stage and introduce everyone during The Two Gates. She was insanely charming.