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

[ariich]

Yeah I do find it weird that people in this thread are so much more interested in the keyboardists than the vocalists, as it's the singers who contribute more to the Ayreon albums than the instrumental soloists.

Then again, I guess the level of legendary keyboardists probably contributes to that. I think the vocalists are great choices though, I don't know that second guy, but Marco and Christina are both really good.

[Lolzeez]

Speaking of which, Nicky S is sure to be on this album!

If he's not repeating, and can't have James again, might as well do the next best thing!

[Onno]

JR just retweeted a guy saying that JR will be playing on the next Ayreon album.

[The Letter M]

The only thing that would put this OVER the top is if he had Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett on here too!!!

I'm more psyched for this album now, and I'm glad we're getting it this fall and not next year! It could very well give DT12 big competition for AOTY!

-Marc.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

JR just retweeted a guy saying that JR will be playing on the next Ayreon album.

That's really awesome! 

[Lolzeez]

The only thing that would put this OVER the top is if he had Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett on here too!!!

I'm more psyched for this album now, and I'm glad we're getting it this fall and not next year! It could very well give DT12 big competition for AOTY!

-Marc.

[wasteland]

JR on Ayreon is amazing news, and the solo in the snippet is extremely promising stuff!

On other news, a post on Arjen's FB status announcing Jordan's involvement:

"Spirit Cerries On,,, JR INDONESIAN FAMILY LIKE YOU \m/ 666"

[Onno]

 

[YtseJamittaja]

 








Really?!

[wasteland]

@YJJ: go check yourself

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

JR on Ayreon is amazing news, and the solo in the snippet is extremely promising stuff!

On other news, a post on Arjen's FB status announcing Jordan's involvement:

"Spirit Cerries On,,, JR INDONESIAN FAMILY LIKE YOU \m/ 666"

Bloody brilliant.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

New day and a new secret vocalist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIP74WyBFYc

[Metabog]

New day and a new secret vocalist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIP74WyBFYc

It was Michael Mills from Toehider. Never heard of them but the guy has an amazing voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zi0uSw2pn8&list=TLaO5LtxaGw0k

[Zook]

Toehider?

Toe Hider?

TOE HIDER?!

[Cyclopssss]

It´s.....Steve Hackett!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rex5nEinjb4

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Man Arjen means big business with this album...he might aswell resurrect Phil Lynott at this point. 

[Lolzeez]

It´s.....Steve Hackett!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rex5nEinjb4

Wow. Favorite guitarist and favorite keyboard player(s) in one album. I like the way this is going. Now get Steven Wilson.

[Lolzeez]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdI3cLWN7AA

Guess the vocalist!

Well,It's 100% John Wetton. Now that's awesome. But come on. PG. PLEASE. PG.

[Nick]

It´s.....Steve Hackett!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rex5nEinjb4

Wow. Favorite guitarist and favorite keyboard player(s) in one album. I like the way this is going. Now get Steven Wilson.

The way Arjen and Steven Wilson approach music... I just can never see it happening. It's funny, they are my number 1 and 2 individual song-writers, but they are worlds apart. I wouldn't see Wilson doing it even as a simple guest vocalist.

[Nekov]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdI3cLWN7AA

Guess the vocalist!

Well,It's 100% John Wetton. Now that's awesome. But come on. PG. PLEASE. PG.

Yup. Seems Arjen went old school for this one.

[Perpetual Change]

It´s.....Steve Hackett!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rex5nEinjb4

Wow. Favorite guitarist and favorite keyboard player(s) in one album. I like the way this is going. Now get Steven Wilson.

The way Arjen and Steven Wilson approach music... I just can never see it happening. It's funny, they are my number 1 and 2 individual song-writers, but they are worlds apart. I wouldn't see Wilson doing it even as a simple guest vocalist.

There's a note in the Into the Electric Castle booklet about just that. Which is odd, I don't think SW is really all that different than many of the artists Arjen does work with, but I guess acting like you're unaffiliated with your closet peers is just another face of the prog tradition.

[abydos]

What's the note you speak of? What does it say?

[The Letter M]

The only thing that would put this OVER the top is if he had Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett on here too!!!

I'm more psyched for this album now, and I'm glad we're getting it this fall and not next year! It could very well give DT12 big competition for AOTY!

-Marc.

It´s.....Steve Hackett!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rex5nEinjb4

TOTALLY called it on Steve four days ago 

And yes, Arjen needs PG on this, too, now! Oh...and maybe Jon Anderson? He hasn't worked with him yet, either, has he?!

-Marc.

[Lolzeez]

Even if PG death growled for like 10 seconds,I'd love it.

[jingle.boy]

How about Greg Lake?

[Nefarius]

Top notch stuff so far. Wetton's and Hietila's clips sounded great. Cristina sounded a bit thin compared to what I'm used to but that's probably the way it is engineered to fit the personality of the character she's singing. Hackett's solo tone was extra yummy and obviously JR is a more than welcome choice too. Where can I preorder the deluxe version?

Greetings...
Nef

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Vocalist nr 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-NSTJafPDs

[MoraWintersoul]

What did I tell you about Tommy Karevik

[wasteland]

What did I tell you about Tommy Karevik

Yet another reason I should trust your instinct every fucking time.

And this make me want to listen to some Kamelot. 

[Elite]

Noticed it the instant he posted it. TOMMY KAREVIK

[Zook]

It would be cool if he got PelleK too, although he and Tommy sound similar.

[senecadawg2]

What did I tell you about Tommy Karevik

Yet another reason I should trust your instinct every fucking time.

And this make me want to listen to some Kamelot. 

Better yet, Seventh Wonder 

TOMMY KAREVIK

[Cyclopssss]

From Arjens's Website:

Hey Ayreonauts! Most of the Ayreon-related internet action is now to be found on Arjen's Facebook page, but below you'll find the basic info on the new Ayreon album "The Theory of Everything."
Arjen Lucassen soon to release new Ayreon album, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Arjen Lucassen soon to release new Ayreon album, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
It features a stellar cast of guests, with members past and present of Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Kamelot, Genesis, Yes, ELP, Asia, Toehider, Grand Magus, and Ancient Bards (see below)
It will be a double album
It begins a completely new story line for the Ayreon universe
It is divided into 4 long tracks
It's a true Rock Opera with a dramatic, real-world story
It will be released in 4 editions, including an exclusive limited edition and vinyl (details TBA)
The DVD for the special and limited editions features over 2 hours of behind the scenes content
Release date is late October, 2013 
Pre-orders in Arjen's webshop will start sometime in September (details TBA)
Arjen has been running "guess the musician" contests via Facebook. You can see all of the videos on his Youtube channel.

GUEST MUSICIANS
VOCALISTS

(in order of appearance)
JB (Grand Magus) as The Teacher
Sara Squadrani (Ancient Bards) as The Girl
Michael Mills (Toehider) as The Father
Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil) as The Mother
Tommy Karevik (Kamelot, Seventh Wonder) as The Prodigy
Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot) as The Rival
John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson) as The Psychiatrist
INSTRUMENTALISTS

Ed Warby (Hail of Bullets, Gorefest) – drums
Rick Wakeman (Yes) – keyboards
Keith Emerson (Emerson Lake and Palmer) – keyboards
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) – keyboards
Steve Hackett (Genesis) – lead guitar
Troy Donockley (Nightwish) – Whistles, Uilleann pipes
Ben Mathot (Dis) –violin
Maaike Peterse (Kingfisher Sky) – cello
Jeroen Goossens (Flairck) – flute , bass flute, piccolo, bamboo flute and contrabass flute
Siddharta Barnhoorn – orchestrations
Michael Mills (Toehider) – Irish Bouzouki
Wilmer Waarbroek – backing vocals
Arjen Anthony Lucassen – electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, analog synthesizers,
Hammond, Solina Strings
This is all the news that's fit to print today, we'll add updates as more details are confirmed.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

It is divided into 4 long tracks
Release date is late October, 2013 

 
Holy shit that's less than two months from now!

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Huh. I was wrong. I didn't think he'd do tracks that long.

Really pumped for this now.