Arjen Anthony Lucassen: The Theory of Everything

Finally, I've realised an Actual Fantasy today On This Perfect Day by posting a tribute thread to the Dutch multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, who is of course best-known for his epic Progressive Space Metal band, Ayreon. In line with The Theory of Everything, I'll also be journeying Into the Electric Castle by way of Arjen's side-projects too, including his three solo albums and his many other works under the various band-names:- Ambeon; The Gentle Storm; Guilt Machine; Star One & Stream of Passion. That's quite a line-up from a truly prolific composer! In The Human Equation, Ayreon also features an impressive cast of guest singers from the world of Metal, including James LaBrie (Dream Theater); Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)l Simone Simons (Epica); & Floor Jansen (After Forever & Nightwish) to name just four. And so, it's time now to Embrace the Storm of Progressive Metal coming our way as we Transitus back in time aboard the Universal Migrator to The Source of Ayreon and their ironically titled debut album, The Final Experiment. 

Edited by Psychedelic Paul - November 12 2024 at 07:48

I've listened to a lot of Arjen Anthony Lucassen in the past so I'm on this journey with you.

Edited by Hugh Manatee - April 06 2022 at 19:29

^ Floor didn't sing on the original album, I hope you know that, she was probably in high school in 1995.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: Cristi wrote: ^ Floor didn't sing on the original album, I hope you know that, she was probably in high school in 1995.  Ayreon Universe was something done recently, with different musicians.  Here is the full line up. https://metalstorm.net/bands/album.php?album_id=2220&band_id=304&bandname=Ayreon Yes, I did know that, but thanks for pointing it out anyway. I could've just posted a studio track from Ayreon's first album, but then you wouldn't have the pleasure of watching Floor Jansen in action.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: Cristi wrote: Psychedelic Paul wrote: Cristi wrote: ^ Floor didn't sing on the original album, I hope you know that, she was probably in high school in 1995.  Ayreon Universe was something done recently, with different musicians.  Here is the full line up. https://metalstorm.net/bands/album.php?album_id=2220&band_id=304&bandname=Ayreon Yes, I did know that, but thanks for pointing it out anyway. I could've just posted a studio track from Ayreon's first album, but then you wouldn't have the pleasure of watching Floor Jansen in action.  I don't need to listen to anything, I gave up on Ayreon altogether a little while ago and Transitus literally ruined the band for me for good. I cringe these days to anything Ayreon/Star One and so on.  It's usually me that's in the minority here, so it makes a  nice change that you're in a minority in not liking Ayreon.  I was floored by Miss Jansen's performance in the video above, so what is there not to like!?

Psychedelic Paul wrote: ^ I'm hardly "a newbie" to the wonderful world of Ayreon. I was listening to Progressive Metal while you were still at school in short trousers.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: Cristi wrote: Psychedelic Paul wrote: ^ I'm hardly "a newbie" to the wonderful world of Ayreon. I was listening to Progressive Metal while you were still at school in short trousers.  I very much doubt that.  I listened to my first Progressive Metal album thirty years ago in 1992, the same year as it was released, although there's no prizes for guessing which well-known album that was.

I remember when Theory of Everything came out I swooped it up with great excitement because of A) the title/subject (I was hoping Arjen & Co, could do it justice), B) the lineup of collaborators (Emerson, Wakeman, Rudess, Wetton), and C) the quality of Arjen's inputs into his projects. 

I recall when my wife was in hospital for a while and someone gave me a copy of The Human Equation which I played non-stop every time I drove to an from to see her and I loved it. Nothing else Ayreon has done really gelled with me but I still love The Human Equation a lot.

Gentle and Giant wrote: I recall when my wife was in hospital for a while and someone gave me a copy of The Human Equation which I played non-stop every time I drove to an from to see her and I loved it. Nothing else Ayreon has done really gelled with me but I still love The Human Equation a lot.

Edited by Psychedelic Paul - April 07 2022 at 08:04