New Ayreon release January 25

[Spudman]

For those of you that have yet to experience the brilliance that comes from the mind of Arjen Lucassen let me say that he has an incredibly fertile imagination and a ton of friends and fans from within the music business that help out on his albums.

The new Ayreon (http://www.ayreon.com/ayreon/ay_news.html)album titled "01011001" is schedule for release on January 25, 2008. A video featuring the musicians on the album is found at his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/ayreonauts). It is the first video on the right when you scroll down.

This is another "who's who (http://www.ayreon.com/ayreon/ay_artists.html)" of modern music as is virtually every Ayreon album including his highly acclaimed last album "The Human Equation."

Sonically his albums are a delight to listen to, the musicianship is world class, the vocalists are top of the field and the songs are incredibly thought provoking and well written. While individual Ayreon songs have charted in Europe I find his material is best when absorbed as a complete album. The albums are all themed, tell a story and relate to the human experience. He is one of the best producers of today. The artwork is always incredible too.:AOK:

[sunvalleylaw]

I have liked the other stuff I have heard from that group and will check it out. Myspace kicked me off the internet tonight, as it sometimes does around this time of night.

[Robert]

Cool. I'm listening to this - sounds like something Spudman would love! I can hear the Flower Kings influences here.

[Spudman]

Cool. I'm listening to this - sounds like something Spudman would love! I can hear the Flower Kings influences here.
Actually Tomas Bodin from The Flower Kings is playing on the album along with Derek Sherinian ex Dream Theater and Ty Tabor from Kings X, and the list goes on and on....

[Spudman]

A new interview with Ayreon creator Arjen Lucassen.
http://www.dprp.net/specials/2008_ayreon/

[oldguy]

Great thread, Spudman. These artists have achieved a level of competence in their craft most of us will never know...... and they are having fun doing it.:beer:

[Spudman]

Here is another insightful interview where Arjen explains a bit of the creative process.
http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=414

[Spudman]

Here is a new review by the good folks at the Dutch Progressive Rock Pages DPRP.

http://www.dprp.net/reviews/200804.php

Seems to be pretty well liked. After listening to it myself it feels as if it takes up where "Into The Electric Castle" left off. The reviewers echo that observation too.