05/14/2007 20:57

Ayreon

Ayreon: the new album in the works

Ayreon Demos Finished:
Arjen Anthony Lucassen just finished recording the demos for his seventh Ayreon album. As previously reported, Arjen went through a difficult time last winter. Since then he's been doing a lot better. He discovered that music truly is the best medicine and also drew inspiration from the many encouraging e-mails, letters, and postcards he received from his fans.

Double Album:
Though Arjen initially planned to release a single album, the plan -- as always -- changed as the composing progressed. Like 'The Human Equation' and 'Into the Electric Castle', the new Ayreon will be a double album featuring 15 tracks with a combined length of nearly 100 minutes.

Drum Recordings:
Arjen and Ayreon-veteran Ed Warby (Gorefest) will enter the studio next month to record drums together with producer Gordon Groothedde.

Musicians:
Arjen is currently checking the availability of vocalists and instrumentalists to see who can be scheduled to appear. A number of vocalist have already responded enthusiastically. Arjen has a long wish-list, and it promises to be quite a puzzle to figure out who will be singing where and what.

Release date?
No release date has been set.

(source: Ayreon)

Former news around the subject:

Ayreon mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen has quit Stream Of Passion due to his time consuming work on the next Ayreon album.
Mr. Lucassen's comments about the work: "Because of my frame of mind the material so far is quite dark. There are some pretty heavy passages and the soft parts are quite mysterious... I do know it will be a science fiction theme again, I really missed it :-)"
Ed Warby of Gorefest will play the drums, but no other musicians have been listed as yet.

(source: the official Ayreon website, March 4 2007 interview)