With his wacky rock musical "Transitus" Arjen Lucassen leaves the Ayreon comfort zone for a moment and sends his renowned ensemble through a ghost story located in the 19th century.
Daniel and Abby, the two main characters of the psychic story, are played by Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) and Cammie Gilbert (Oceans Of Slumber). Other well-known artists in the all-star cast include Simone Simons (Epica), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman and Johanne James (Threshold)
eclipsed: Arjen, first a wistful look back: The big Ayreon show at the NOTP festival has unfortunately fallen victim to Corona.
"Our genre is often described as 'progressive', which for me means always breaking new ground and experimenting musically," says the now 60-year-old Lucassen, looking back on the genesis of "Transitus".
"In the true prog spirit I wanted to try something completely different from a typical Ayreon album, I wanted to do something more theatrical, almost like a musical, and of course I took the opportunity to use my favourite rock operas like 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Tommy', 'War of the Worlds' and 'The Wall' as inspiration
For "Transitus" Lucassen even left his lovingly constructed Sci-Fi universe and transplanted his ensemble to an earthly setting, even though this time it's also quite supernatural. "At some point, of course, I will return to the vastness of space," Lucassen is sure of. "So this album is not a new beginning for Ayreon, but rather a small step aside!"
Arjen Lucassen's project AYREON has been a guarantor for large-scale concept albums revolving around science fiction themes for 25 years. His most important work to date is "Into The Electric Castle" (1998), which he finally brought to the stage last autumn. A recording of this grandiose concert event is now being released under the title "Electric Castle Live And Other Tales" as a 2CD+DVD, Blu-ray and opulent box set, among others
Interviews with Arjen Lucassen are always a pleasure, because the two-meter man is a grateful conversationalist who chats like a waterfall and has various funny anecdotes ready. He talked to eclipsed about the live realisation of "Into The Electric Castle", in which he was joined by guest stars such as Anneke van Giersbergen, Fish and Damian Wilson, just like in the studio
Arjen Lucassen is jittery. Highly nervous. It is the beginning of February, and the slag from the Dutch town of Oudenbosch is currently preparing for some acoustic concerts that will soon take him across Europe together with singer Anneke van Giersbergen. Over eight years have passed since his last gigs with Stream Of Passion, and those who know Lucassen know how unpleasant, almost painful such undertakings are for him. And so it is hardly surprising that the 54-year-old is not part of the recently started tour of the new band The Gentle Storm, put together around front woman Anneke van Giersbergen. Also the performance at the "Night Of The Prog"-Festival will take place without Lucassen.
eclipsed: Although you are known to be reluctant to tour, you are now playing live again. How's that?
GENESIS
The band for all occasions
Genesis is familiar to anyone who owns a radio. So in the end every rock fan has an opinion about the multifaceted formation. Of course not everyone a good one. If Progressive Rock, whose figurehead the band was in its most exciting phase, is not everyone's cup of tea, rock lovers generally agree on the negative assessment of the British pop phase. But the truth is: Genesis are magicians, their music is still enchanting today. eclipsed lets himself fall into the comforting sounds of his old group together with Steve Hackett and presents a shopping list SPECIAL.
eclipsed
check THE 50 LARGEST PINK-FLOYD-SONGS
There are about 130 songs by Pink Floyd. From this pool we have selected the 50 pieces that have the most lasting effect to date. Of course, there are many more highlights among the 80 other songs the English group has written in their career. Definitely know these but you have to know them here: The 50 greatest Pink Floyd songs.
LUNATIC SOUL
Through the other world
