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New album by the musical genius who singlehandedly brought the rock opera back to life in the mid 90\u2019s.<\/p>\nNew album by the musical genius who singlehandedly brought the rock opera back to life in the mid 90\u2019s.<\/p>\n
THE SOURCE is an exciting new chapter in the Ayreon saga, with contributions from renowned vocalists like James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Simone Simons (Epica), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Hansi K\u00fcrsch (Blind Guardian), Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), and Russell Allen (Symphony X). The Source will be released on April 28 through Ayreon\u2019s new label Mascot Label Group\/Music Theories Recordings.<\/p>\n
While Ayreon\u2019s \u2018Forever\/Planet Y\u2019 saga seemed to have reached its conclusion with the album 01011001, it\u2019s clear that Arjen Lucassen\u2019screative muses had other plans. The new Ayreon album The Source revisits the Forever saga, adding a whole new chapter to Lucassen\u2019s impressive body of work. With its top-flight cast of singers and musicians, compelling songs, overwhelming sound, and intriguing story, The Source offers everything that has gained Lucassen dedicated fans worldwide since he laid the foundations of Ayreon back in the mid-90\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The story of The Source is set six billion years in the past relative to Earth. It begins on Planet Alpha, a world in the Andromeda system where computer intelligence has far surpassed that of humanity. Alpha is facing a massive global crisis, with ecological and political catastrophes threatening all human life. The Alphans (our human ancestors) try to save their planet by entrusting the global computer mainframe\u2014The \u2018Frame\u2014to find a solution. Given total control of the planet, the \u2018Frame reaches the logical conclusion that its creators are the cause of all the trouble. The only way to solve Alpha\u2019s problems is to exterminate humanity. This leaves the Alphans no other option than to try and escape their horrific fate. But their escape comes at a terrible price. It\u2019s the beginning of a story that contains everything that has made the Ayreon epics so endlessly fascinating all these years. <\/p>\n
The international status of Ayreon enables Arjen Lucassen to write his characters with some of the most respected singers in rock in mind: James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Tommy Giles Rogers (Between the Buried And Me), Simone Simons (Epica), Mike Mills(Toehider), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Hansi K\u00fcrsch (Blind Guardian), Michael Eriksen (Circus Maximus), Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), Nils K. Rue (Pagan’s Mind), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), and Russell Allen (Symphony X). Special contributions were offered by guitarists Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats, Asia, Steven Wilson), Marcel Coenen and keyboard player Mark Kelly (Marillion). <\/p>\n
Just as on his previous albums, The Source has Arjen Lucassen playing a wide variety of instruments, while the inimitable Ed Warby (o.a. Elegy, Gorefest, Hail Of Bullets) once again masterfully handles the drums.<\/p>\n
2017 will be a particularly exciting year for Ayreon fans thanks to a unique chance to actually see Ayreon live. Limited to three exclusive performances, \u201cThe Ayreon Universe\u201d will take place in September in the prestigious 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. This unprecedented live event features the best of twenty years of Ayreon music, brought to life by a top cast of musicians such as Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Damian Wilson (Threshold), Hansi K\u00fcrsch (Blind Guardian), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Jonas Renkse(Katatonia), Anneke van Giersbergen, and various others. The reclusive Arjen Lucassen himself is also expected to make a rare appearance on stage. The tickets for all concerts \u2013 9000 in total \u2013 sold out within a day, proving once again that the Ayreon magic is still very much alive and kicking. <\/p>\n
Ayreon \u2013 The Source – Track List
\nCD1
\nChronicle 1: The ‘Frame
\n01. The Day That The World Breaks Down
\n02. Sea Of Machines
\n03. Everybody Dies<\/p>\n
Chronicle 2: The Aligning Of The Ten
\n04. Star Of Sirrah
\n05. All That Was
\n06. Run! Apocalypse! Run!
\n07. Condemned To Live<\/p>\n
CD2
\nChronicle 3: The Transmigration
\n08. Aquatic Race
\n09. The Dream Dissolves
\n10. Deathcry Of A Race
\n11. Into The Ocean<\/p>\n
Chronicle 4: The Rebirth
\n12. Bay Of Dreams
\n13. Planet Y Is Alive!
\n14. The Source Will Flow
\n15. Journey To Forever
\n16. The Human Compulsion
\n17. March Of The Machines<\/p>\n
Release Date
\nApril 28, 2017<\/p>\n
Available Formats
\nEarbook [4CD+DVD], Digibook [2CD+DVD], 2LP+MP3, and Digital.<\/p>\n
Ayreon Online DVD Contents Earbook Specials Ayreon – Everybody Dies (Official Lyric Video):
\nfacebook.com\/ArjenLucassenOfficial<\/a>
\ntwitter.com\/arjenlucassen<\/a>
\nyoutube.com\/user\/ArjenALucassen<\/a><\/p>\n
\n01. The Day that the World Breaks Down (video)
\n02. Everybody Dies (lyric video)
\n03. Star of Sirrah (lyric video)
\n04. Run! Apocalypse! Run! (lyric video)
\n05. Behind The Scenes video
\n06. Interviews
\n07. 5.1 Audio Mix of the whole album<\/p>\n
\n44 page full color book with 4 CD\u2019s (normal tracks and instrumental tracks) plus the DVD.<\/p>\n
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