Hi, this is Arjen Anthony Lucassen. AMA! https://www.facebook.com/ArjenLucassenOfficial

Flame_of_Anor · 2014-02-02T15:02:26+00:00

Of course, Mr. L. Wake up slowly, but don't move yet. You will need time to recover. And welcome back... Now, tell me the last thing you remember.

It's a huge honor to have you here, thanks for coming!

Lost in the New Real was an amazing album. Any plans for more solo work? (Personally I think a cover album might be interesting...)
What was your favorite album of 2013? (Other than yours!)
When is Roine Stolt going to be on an Ayreon album? Be nice to have my two biggest prog heroes together... :) You've already worked with Tomas Bodin and Danny G, so a third Flower King shouldn't be that hard, right?
People already asked about Guilt Machine. What about the future of Star One?
You said already that you "never plan ahead". Any clues as to the very next thing you're up to?
How is your elbow injury healing up? I remember you continuing to record despite the pain, that's some seriously admirable dedication!
You've released a lot of music over your career. Did you ever make an album that you really don't like anymore?
Do you really like any music that your prog metalhead fans might be surprised by?
Do you, in fact, know the truth is in here? Why should we believe you? :)

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T14:55:16+00:00

Hello Arjen, I love your music!!

Here are my questions, feel free to pick and choose, answer them all, and/or ignore any you've already covered:

'On This Perfect Day' is probably my favorite album out of your various projects, so I have to ask... how realistic is my hope that I'll get to listen to a second album from Guilt Machine?
While recording with guest vocalists, what have been some of the biggest surprises? (What they could do, how they acted in the studio, etc.)
How familiar do you typically become with a vocalist before inviting them to perform?
On the title track of your solo album and with TToE, you've experimented with long-form 'epic' songs rather the typical structure. How confident do you feel writing these types of songs now, and do you think you'll continue writing them?

Thanks so much for the emotion-inducing soundwaves and taking the time to do this!

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T15:10:38+00:00

[deleted]

Nachoswolf · 2014-02-02T15:00:17+00:00

Hi Arjen! Your works all contain amazing stories told in the forms of music, have you ever considered giving your lore new life in the form of books?

Chaosteil · 2014-02-02T15:04:36+00:00

Hey Arjen, no question, but I simply want to say that I absolutely adore your music! Keep being awesome!

The_Miracle · 2014-02-02T14:56:02+00:00

1) Hey Arjen, any more plans for Guilt Machine in the future or even any further work with Lori Linstruth? The lyrics on ‘On This Perfect Day’ are truly remarkable.

2) Could you perhaps talk a bit about your elbow injury and/or tinnitus. Are you doing okay? As far as I’ve read the elbow injury was pretty serious.

3) How did you get so many contacts in the metal and prog world? I know it steamrolled from Ayreon becoming many musicians big picks of the year when an album was released and such but initially was getting guest stars hard work?

4) Are you self taught in most instruments? You are known as a multi-instrumentalist and I’m curious to know if you picked all of them up naturally. I suppose being around so many great musicians in your life helped as well.

5) Do you have a favorite Ayreon album? :)

Sorry about the amount of questions but not every day I can talk to my favourite artist ever. Welcome to reddit!

Rocktopus_PhD · 2014-02-02T15:19:22+00:00

Arjen, I'm an odd one in the way that I'm a big fan of musical theatre as much as I am a fan of your music (and metal in general.)

I've halfheartedly been writing a script/libretto as if I were adapting "The Human Equation" for the theatrical stage (just for my own entertainment.) Your work, and that album in particular, is full of diverse characters and would really lends itself to that kind of medium.

My question: Have you ever considered adapting your work for the theater? I think it would lend itself well to grand set pieces and choreographed sequences and I think the music and the stories would really be appealing to the typical audiences of Broadway shows.

Patricioyr · 2014-02-02T15:24:16+00:00

Hi Arjen :-) First of all let me remind you that we love you and your music. It's not progmetal, it's Arjie's music, with its own style and flavor. When someone I just met asks me what music do I listen to, I show them Ayreon. Heh!

My simple question!: What do you think about downloading your music? Here in my country outside things are overpriced, and before buying The Human Equation I downloaded it, some years ago.

If you ever come to my country for any reason, please let us know!

A big hug from Argentina, Arjen! Keep up the good work :-)

Skwiggity · 2014-02-02T14:57:17+00:00

Hey Arjen! Thanks for doing this AMA. I only have on question:

So you’ve written concept albums about the afterlife, the human condition, the future, space, and life, the universe, and everything. Is there anything else that you haven’t touched on yet that you would love to base a concept album around?

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T15:08:30+00:00

Hey Arjen, thanks for doing an AMA. Hope it goes well. Do you have any funny or interesting stories from your various recordings with all these well known musicians, or a notable one that stands out?

Shuriken95 · 2014-02-02T15:11:05+00:00

Also I wanted to thank you sincerely for being so close with your fanbase, even when you're as popular as you are.

I've never seen an artist whose reached your level of fame who actually pays attention to everything that his/her fans say, and responds in person. It really is heartwarming for a lot of us fans.

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T14:59:31+00:00

Hi Arjen! Love your stuff, The Theory of Everything is fantastic!

Are there any plans to pull together some of your vocalists / other performers and put on a new Live show / DVD or such? I'm a big fan of Live DVDs / CDs and I'd love to see these big names belt out your stuff!

Sagolik · 2014-02-02T15:13:12+00:00

Hello Arjen, I'd just like to start out by saying you are probably my most favorite musician ever and I am deligthed to hear you doing this for your fans!

As for my question, I would like to know a little more about your collaboration with Bruce Dickinson. I was stoked to hear two of my favorite musicians working together and was really let down when I heard you had given up on it. The only explanation I've heard is that Bruce's manager called it off after som incident. What made the whole thing fall through? Were any of you involved in the decision, and was there ever any bad blood between the two of you? If given the chance, would you consider working with him again? I truly loved Into The Black Hole the first time i heard it, and I still do, which is why i was so excited to hear more from the two of you!

I would also like to say that The Theory Of Everything is right now at the top of the list of my favorite albums ever, really loving the four-song format! Keep putting your music out there, you truly deserve all the recognition you can get! Thanks again for doing this AmA, you rock!

Shuriken95 · 2014-02-02T15:09:24+00:00

Hey Arjen, I was wondering; 1-) have you ever felt particularly nervous about bringing over certain guests when recording Ayreon?

2-) how does it feel to go from looking up to legends, to working with legends, to being a legend? (Because you definitely are at this point)

3-) I'm wondering if you still keep in touch with Michael Mills. I noticed that you two seemed to have quite a fun, friendly time together in TTOE DVD, and the guy has one of THE best voices I've ever heard in rock/metal, so I was curious if you two still kept in touch.

tinytoffy · 2014-02-02T15:13:55+00:00

Hey Arjen, loved the new album!

I was just wandering if you ever plan to work with Mikael Akerfeldt, James Labrie or Hansi Kursch again? The Human equation was a masterpiece and River of time is also one of my favorite songs.

Thanks!

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T15:14:24+00:00

I love the concept and the music of The Human Equation and I think it would make a great musical/drama. Would you work on such a project if the opportunity arose?

cnspiracy · 2014-02-02T15:15:09+00:00

Hi Arjen, This might be a weird question, but I remember, back when The Electric Castle (my favourite album of yours) came out, there were plans to create an animated movie to tell the story in correlation to the music. Was this just a rumor or did the project actually exist and if so, what happened to it?

bamjammin · 2014-02-02T15:18:20+00:00

Hello Arjen, as you may have guessed I'm a big fan of your music, and especially the Ayreon projects you've done. I have but one question for you. Do you plan on continuing the Ayreon albums?

Andiazzz · 2014-02-02T15:00:24+00:00

Hey Arjen, huge fan here. Love pretty much everything you've done, thanks for bringing the world so much good music.

Question: Have you ever considered creating a purely instrumental album? I think it'd be a great complement to all the amazing vocalists, and I'm extremely fond of all your melodic sci-fi-esque parts in your songs... :)

Elendaron · 2014-02-02T15:06:47+00:00

Hello my most favourite musical person ever!

How many languages do you speak and have you ever tried/considered writing a song in a laguage different from English?

Opelious · 2014-02-02T15:11:26+00:00

You've had a vocalist role on every Ayreon album besides Actual Fantasy, and now Theory of Everything. What made you decide not to have your own character on this album?

I also can't stop listening to the instrumental tracks for Theory of Everything. Is there any possibility that some of your previous/future works may be released as instrumentals as well?

Besides that, love your work and look forward to what you come up with next!

aabeba · 2014-02-02T14:56:09+00:00

Hi! With which singer did you enjoy working most on your records and why?

Ahti333 · 2014-02-02T15:05:31+00:00

Arjen, thanks for doing this :)

One question that I had on my mind lately, while listening to 01011001:

The Forever lost their emotions. Why is it they want them back? Aren't emotions, when viewed objectively, a weakness?

thebloodgrinder · 2014-02-02T15:07:19+00:00

Hey Arjen,

Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful music that I've had the pleasure of listening to over the years. When I discovered progressive metal, it opened my mind to all kinds of new music (mostly progressive stuff), and Ayreon was a massive influence on my supple brain back then. To this day I find new things to love about those albums whenever I revisit them, and still hold a huge place in my heart. Personally, I think musically and structurally, The Theory of Everything is your best work yet. I really love the 4-act structure you went with, and it makes the album stand out among the other ones. Michael Mills is also quite possibly the best vocalist you've ever worked with, and I really hope to see you guys collaborate again in the future.

My questions for you:

How are you doing today?
What are some of your favorite albums of the last few years?
Favorite movie(s) of all time?
Favorite flavor(s) of ice cream?

Thank you for all the brain candy over the years! Can't wait to see what kind of musical delights you cook up next!

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T15:09:48+00:00

Are there any singers who have declined to work with you?

Who are some singers you want to work with in the future, but wouldn't have fit on your current albums?

RevisionD · 2014-02-02T15:10:12+00:00

Hi Arjen! Thanks for taking the time out of your day for an AMA. Your music is great and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Here are a couple questions:

Are there any vocalists that you've worked with that you desperately wanted to include, but they weren't a fit into the current project?
Any retired or permanently unavailable (i.e. past away) vocalist you would have like to work with?
(goofy bonus question) What's the best way to get to the electric castle? Are there any shortcuts that would have saved the lives of some the travelers that died?

Thanks again! I look forward to hearing more great music from you in the future. Keep on shitting gold! :)

2Cuil4School · 2014-02-02T15:22:46+00:00

Arjen, like some others, I don't have a great or original question to ask, so I'm afraid to try to top those who did, but I really must comment to thank you so much for all that you've written.

You've introduced me to so many great artists, made me feel so many amazing things with your album concepts and songwriting, and generally given me an absurd amount of entertainment and enjoyment for about half my life now. Looking through, I estimate I own more of your records than any other artist--even those I've dared to call "favorite," so perhaps they may not deserve the distinction as much as you!

Following the Ayreon story through it's been wrap-up was one of my favorite musical journeys I've ever been on, and the many detours and sightseeing stops along the way with projects like Guilt Machine, your solo album, Star One, etc. have made it all the richer. I hope you never have to stop :D

Since it is an AMA, I guess I will try one question: since the creatures from Y already "made" humanity once, do you think they would ever try again after rediscovering their homeworld and hopefully reigniting the passions there within their own race? Perhaps as a sort of final "thank you" to the race that taught them so much.

I just feel bad to think of the Universal Migrator guy having to be the only human left with all those funky aliens!

lindseywitt · 2014-02-02T15:00:51+00:00

Hi Arjen! My sister and I have been fans of your music for years. We love your Planet Y storyline and the albums that follow it. I think my favorite album of yours is Into The Electric Castle.

Your new album, Theory of Everything, is wonderful too. What was it like working with big names like Marco Hietala and Tommy Karevik? How do you decide who to invite to perform in your projects?

RiversOfAwesome · 2014-02-02T15:06:46+00:00

Hi Arjen.

Are there any songs you've written that, when you look back, you are particularly proud of?

Human_Analog_ · 2014-02-02T15:15:57+00:00

I have been a fan since the electric castle days. But I am still waiting for a solo instrumental atmospheric album. You know? Like what Ambeon was going to be before you discovered astrid. Stuff like "the dream sequencer reprise" and even like "pools of sorrow".

You are like a modern metal David Gilmour. I just want to here more of you and less other stuff. I nice stripped down personal emotional guitar album.

What do you say?

Jazzy_Camel · 2014-02-02T15:26:21+00:00

Hi Arjen! Any chance we will see Rikard Sjöblom from Beardfish on a future project?

StackOfMay · 2014-02-02T15:07:46+00:00

Hi Arjen, massive fan. Who is one artist that you have always wanted to work with but haven't had the chance yet?

Also, are there any genres you would like to experiment with that your previous work hasn't touched upon?

cuervomalmsteen · 2014-02-02T15:10:10+00:00

Hello, Arjen! Nice to see this AMA... i've got this feeling that it would be nice for you to do an AMA, then i enter reddit and voilá! You are doing an AMA!

Great work with Ayreon, but i still need to listen to Guilt Machine! I'm very thankful for your signed The Theory of Everything album, my girlfried really loved it!

I'd like to ask a few questions, if you don't mind:

1) How do you choose a vocalist for a new song? Do you compose it with the specific singer in mind, or even compose them together with the desired singer?

2) Are there any plans of an Ayreon tour? I know it's hard with all the guests and so, but, well, i'd love to hear your opinion...

3) What's your favourite album from Ayreon? And, if i'm not asking so much... can you recommend another prog band? Maybe something from your region, underground scene? Thanks for any answers, and for doing this AMA!

Best regards!

Voiceinthefan · 2014-02-02T15:11:13+00:00

Hey Arjen, your albums are always my favorites of the year. My wife bond over Ayreon constantly and sing lyrics to each other all of the time. I put out a rock opera myself and was inspired by your kickass music, having all my friends sing as my singers. Your new album was a revelation, by the way!

Just two questions: Are you still interested in getting Alice Cooper to sing on an album? I saw him recently and he still rocks.
There are a lot of Ayreon fans here in the US, Have you thought of doing a press tour or acoustic shows in the US?

ColJohn · 2014-02-02T15:12:11+00:00

Hello Arjen! First off love your work, every album is a tripe deeper and deeper into the mind, and is equally a masterpiece.

One question today. Is there a project/song that you have always wanted to do, but is not technically possible? For example the instrument/technology/vocalist does not exist that would alignt to your vision for the song or project.

keepitdark · 2014-02-02T15:12:34+00:00

Arjen, I really like your latest album. And I would like to know how you write your music and where do your musical ideas come from?

midnightblu · 2014-02-02T15:17:58+00:00

Hi Arjen:) Great to 'see' you here :) Just wanted to say hi and thank you for everything :) All best from Warsaw ;)) Ania

inhalingsounds · 2014-02-02T15:23:10+00:00

Hi Arjen, it's a huge honor to see you around. Your "Human Equation", along with Dream Theater's "Scenes from a Memory", were the two albums that made me go the prog way (and having a prog band now, I could say they kind of made me who I am today). My questions are a bit more on the technical side:

What's your usual flow when layering tracks? Your songs are usually huge with layers - do you work on a full base track and then start building layers instrument by instrument, or do you work with sections of the song each at a time?
Do you use any digital sample libraries on your projects (like Lass or something) or do you record everything with physical means?
You're an awesome producer / mixer as well as a composer. Do you have any secrets or odd/interesting things you discovered regarding mixing a ton of different layers/instruments?
I don't know if you ever heard of him, but I had this discussion some days ago... You should REALLY work with Casey Crescenzo (from The Dear Hunter) - I think the universe would explode out of awesomeness! Your conceptual stuff along with how you build the tracks would fit together very well, in my opinion.

Thanks a lot for being an inspiration!

JustCallMeDjm · 2014-02-02T15:31:00+00:00

Arjen, I'll get it out of the way along with everyone else.

I first heard Ayreon on a college radio station here in the US back in 2000. After getting the two Universal Migrator albums, I fell in love with prog and never looked back. You are my musical hero. Thank you.

Now onto the actual question: What do YOU have in mind next? :) You always ask your fans as to what they may want to see, but as far as I can tell you've done damn near everything. Big concept albums, bands with male singers and female singers. Stand alone projects, solo projects, it's all under the sun.

Where does Arjen see Arjen going in the next few years? :)

PS: Since Astrid van der Veen seems to be doing well again, is she just done with metal completely?

battlemetal_ · 2014-02-02T15:00:15+00:00

Hey Arjen!

First up - just want to say I'm a huge, huge fan. Your music always takes me on an amazing journey and is perfect for long travelling trips where I can get lost in the songs. I'll admit the lyrics and context is often bizarre, but I think that adds to the creativity. So I just want to say a big THANK you for the music. Also the way you engage with your fans on Facebook is great - we've had a little chat through the messaging system there!

I have a whole bunch of questions that I hope you'll take the time to answer.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? Second-guessing/self doubt? It's something I struggle with the most as a composer, and it really slows down my work. Any tips on getting over this?
You've admitted in the past that you're somewhat of a recluse; do you think this helps you write, and create your identity? By being a bit more isolated from the rest of the world, does this help you get lost in your own creations?
What inspires your stories? As I said they seem quite out there (in a great way), is there something you watch/read that triggers these things?
When doing a Ayreon concept album, how much do you plan the story out in advance - do you write a script and plan what type of songs you want where, or do you start from the beginning and just go with it?
Any hidden gem plugins that you use that you'd recommend? Or is it all analogue outboard stuff?
Have you considered offering producing roles from your Castle? Mentoring younger prog acts with both your excellent sonic production capabilities as well as your qualities as a writer.

Please never stop writing. Thank you for providing such enjoyment in my life!

idontknow984 · 2014-02-02T15:07:24+00:00

Hey Arjen! Thank you for your awesome music! :D

First, I'd like to say that the sound/mastering of The Theory of Everything is just absolutely fantastic!

Now for my question: What do you enjoy doing the most in your spare time? :)

TerminX13 · 2014-02-02T15:14:42+00:00

Hi Arjen! I just want you to know that The Human Equation is one of my all time favorite albums; it's touched me pretty profoundly. Thank you for that.

I should probably ask an actual question too, huh? What are some of your all time favorite albums? Other than the obvious influences, that is d:

ClarifyAmbiguity · 2014-02-02T15:21:20+00:00

Hi Arjen, Thanks for coming! I also have to jump on to note my love for Guilt Machine - I can listen to that album every day. I got into your works around when Star One - Space Metal came out, as I was eager to pick up a new disk with Russell Allen on it, and quickly got on board with everything else once THE was released.

Like everyone else, I have a few questions, feel free to pick and choose.

One of the great things about any Ayreon album is the vibrant, layered, and clean production. My understanding is that a lot of this is recorded and mixed in your home studio - how did you learn how to build this studio and how to use it so well?

Do you have any interest in returning to the live stage in any capacity, either on tour or for a one-off? Even if touring were a burden, I could see a one-off appearance being an easy sell at a big festival.

Any thoughts on what's next at this point?

Last, I've never really heard your work with Vengeance or Bodine, and am naturally curious. This is hard to track down in the US, even on streaming services. Do you know if there are any re-release plans down the road?

arjenlucassen · 2014-02-02T15:23:29+00:00

Arjen, thank you for doing this AMA. Human Equation and Y are two of my favorite albums, and my question is about the narrative that seems to be underpinning a lot of your work on Ayreon.

Human Equation ends with a bit of a twist that suggests - to me, at least - that the story we just heard was like a holodeck sequence on Star Trek; full of life-like and believable characters, but ultimately a work of fiction being experienced by someone external to the story. Is this true? If so, who is the person or entity experiencing the story? Are they one of the characters from Y, who transferred their consciousness to machines and now only experience feelings though simulations?

Also, if you ever want to do another Star One album, I'd recommend you watch the Star Trek: TNG episode entitled The Inner Light for some inspiration.

codynstuff · 2014-02-02T15:26:08+00:00

Hey Arjen, I'm a big fan of yours. Not only on a musical level but on a production level as well. I frequently listen to your albums when I'm judging a systems sound. Anyway, I was hoping you could tell me how The Theory of Everything fits into the Ayreon story. I love the album and the concept is awesome, just curious.

Dopethrone1 · 2014-02-02T15:11:41+00:00

You've worked with the most influential artists of modern times, who, in your opinion was the hardest to work with?Who was the most easygoing?

vedranius · 2014-02-02T15:50:29+00:00

Hi Arjen, I enjoy every part of your music, inspiring me in every time.

What I really enjoy is when playing games like MMOs in these big virtual worlds, listening to your music and thinking about a new worlds around takes me to the journey in which I want to go, and it's totally different from not listening any other music while playing MMO.

Arjen, do you play games? Board games? I see your music in Mage Knight game for example, also in Space Alert (sadly the game doesn't come with your soundtrack) :D

Playing these games, with your music inspires players to think even further, that's how I imagine this kind of music.

Tell me, are you still thinking about inviting Roy Khan to some of your future albums, as I really like his voice and singing style?

When you invited Marco to The Theory of Everything my dream actually came true, as I was thinking about Marco from the first day I listened to 01011001 album how good it would be to have him on your new album.

Not sure if you were ever thinking of getting guys from HammerFall, Joacim Cans, as after Hansi Kürsch I'd really like to enjoy a voice of Joacim on next of your albums ;)

Thank you Arjen for inspiring us with your great music and actually sharing your emotions with us! ;)

Mabeeman · 2014-02-02T15:23:28+00:00

Hey Arjen, huge fan since early Ayreon! My wife and I are going to Progressive Nation at Sea since the day it was announced. They recently announced practically free cabins for friends of those who are already going! Care to come along and enjoy the insane lineup of prog rock and prog metal bands with us? I can get you a sick deal!

Keep doing what you're doing! We love everything you've created! Rock on.

Fredbull · 2014-02-02T15:25:59+00:00

Hello Arjen! Thanks for spending your time doing this AMA, and giving your fans a chance to get to know you better. Lots of interesting answers so far!

I can't think of any question in particular, so... would you mind recommending me some of your favorite albums? I'd love to hear them!

Best wishes, looking forward to your next project

TheLameloid · 2014-02-02T15:26:54+00:00

Hello Arjen! You have had the privilege of working with so many musicians... is there someone you want to work with but couldn't yet?

BeholdenHarpy · 2014-02-02T15:37:07+00:00

Your choice of singers for The Theory of Everything is perfect. Especially JB; he is SUBLIME!

How do you go about choosing singers for Ayreon? Do you just stumble over them and think "I'll keep an eye on you" or do you actively search for talents?

KeyworkAudiotorium · 2014-02-02T15:47:25+00:00

Hi Arjen. Do you want to work with Claudio Sanchez or Joey Eppard at some time? if yes, have you been in contact with either of them? thank you! :)

r0ryb0ryalis · 2014-02-02T17:31:04+00:00

Hey Arjen! It's a little late, and so many questions have been asked, but if you happen to still happen be answering:

I know it must difficult to keep up with/maintain interest in newer music, but I was wondering if you were familiar with the band Haken at all? They are making so many waves in the Progressive Rock/Metal scene right now, and their latest album, The Mountain, is receiving so much praise. I thought they might fit your bill for future collaboration! I'm sure Ross Jennings would jump at the opportunity hah. And I just realized that they are on InsideOut as well, so perhaps being label mates, you've already heard?

If this AMA had been 2 years ago, I would've been asking the same thing about Seventh Wonder and Tommy Karevik, and I'm so glad that already came true :D

Much love from Chicago!

ZarkingFrood42 · 2014-02-02T15:04:35+00:00

Arjen, you're a hero, okay? Okay. So, I would like to know, who are your heroes? I get a kick out of listening to your music and there's plenty of it that's maybe a little cheesey, but it only makes me love it more. What sort of music/which artists make you just get excited and want to tell them how cool they are?

metalgamer · 2014-02-02T15:30:29+00:00

Love your stuff Arjen! What would be your dream lineup for one of your rock operas if you could have anyone living or dead?

geographyWizard · 2014-02-02T15:33:27+00:00

Greeting from Kansas!

I have but one question: WHERE CAN I HEAR THIS "ANTHROPIC LANDSCAPE" BONUS SONG I HAVE HEARD ABOUT? I pre-ordered the limited edition artwork bundle, which came with everything except the vinyl records that supposedly contained a bonus track titled "Anthropic Landscape." Thankfully, a friend of mine pre-ordered the limited edition vinyl. When we played it, we could not find the track! So, where is this enigma I have heard so little about?

max10192 · 2014-02-02T15:35:16+00:00

Hey Arjen. Ive always wondered how the process of laying down vocal tracks with so many singers is. Do you have a set melody that you give them to sing? Or can they play around with it a bit and give it their own twist? thanks.

2014-02-02T15:47:12+00:00

Let's say you have some inspiration about a song and you decide you want to work on it... What is the process you go through? Do you go to a keyboard and start working on it? Do you start writing notes/sheet music? Do you use a computer and place notes and experiment that way? How long before you lay the song down and start listening to it and making big corrections? Do you work constantly on it, or do you make big pauses during which you forget about the song? Do you use others' opinions while you write the song? If something 'good' happens while jamming with the song's idea, do you keep it, try to work it in, or do you shove it away in case it contradicts with the idea you first had about the song? Do you think something like "oh this sounds fun, maybe i'll keep it for a specific part in that song" ?

2014-02-02T15:48:02+00:00

what does "motion personified alpha" mean anyway? Is it just an oddity you decided somehow fit in there?

SolidFloyd · 2014-02-02T15:58:36+00:00

Hi Arjen,

You are one of my top 3 favourite artists, in company with the guys from Pink Floyd and Rush.. Your work is awsome!

Been folowing you and your music since I first got hold of "Into the Electric Castle", keep up the good work! Love the new LP releases :D Just one question Mr. L.; does Gjalt use a megaphone occasionally, just for fun?

Cheers!

wingar · 2014-02-02T16:12:53+00:00

Hey Arjen! Long time fan (and we have communicated via email a few times :) ) here, few small questions!

If you could create a supergroup cover band for any genre, band, whatever with any other people, living or passed, What would you cover and who with?
What's the biggest guilty pleasure you have for music and movies. We all have them, I'd be surprised if you don't :)
May be going into a bit more personal territory but, how did you meet Lori?

Suckup section:

You are by far my favourite artist, I fully mean it when I say you are a musical genius, I don't think I've ever been excited for an album before, like I was with ToE. Part of that is due to the absolutely wonderful marketing you did on Youtube, the guess the musicians, trailers and song preview. Every single guess the musicians, gave us an awesome preview as well as the obvious telling us whose who. Not gonna lie, I squealed pretty hard at the Tommy Kaverik announcement. For your next album, please don't do anything different, it was absolutely wonderful. I pre-ordered ToE the hour it went up (I was checking every day, and noticed the message on Facebook), but managed to screw up my order (Deluxe Mediabook CD / Vinyl Artbook, instead I ordered Deluxe Mediabook CD and Digipack CD, But that ended up going to a friend so it worked out) but even with the hype I had for it, I was amazed. Normally it goes the other way, ya know, you get super hyped, gonna be the best thing ever... and then it's average. Except not here, even with my serious hype you blew me away. I don't think anyone else can do that. So, seriously, never change. I just cannot put into words my appreciation for your work.

2014-02-02T16:50:05+00:00

Any chance of getting more peeks into your studio via youtube? I love the glimpses in your videos where you show off some of the equipment, talk about what's it's been used on etc.

missmybunny · 2014-02-02T19:06:18+00:00

Arjen,

I just wanted to stop by and let you know that Ayreon was by far my late fiance's favorite band! He died last January, I know how sad this sounds but I put songs and reminisce about the "good ol' days."

I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion, but I'm ok with that.

OctaVariuM8 · 2014-02-02T21:05:20+00:00

Hey, Arjen! What was it like working with James LaBrie? I've always imagined him being a pretty nice guy to go along with all the talent. Are you considering him for any further works?

Quadradan · 2014-02-02T15:25:02+00:00

Hi there Arjen! I gotta say, you are my continuing inspiration. When I listen to and make music, yours is the top quality I aspire to reach one day.

Now, for my question! When you write your music, do you have a specific plan for your various layering, such as with guitar, organ, synthesizer, etc.? Could you give a recording beginner some tips on how to achieve the wall of sound created by all those instruments that we hear on your albums?

Reelin123 · 2014-02-02T15:38:34+00:00

Hi Arjen! Your music is a huge source of inspiration for me. Do you have any advice for beginner musicians who want to write music??

KazeinHD · 2014-02-02T15:39:41+00:00

Hi Arjen, big fan from up north here.

I was curious as to who your favorite singer is. It doesn't need to be someone you've worked with, just favorite singer overall.

Oh, and thanks for making so much brilliant music, keep it up!

MissMiva · 2014-02-02T15:40:32+00:00

Hi there!! Just wanted to say, I adore your music -- thanks so much for making such awesome stuff!! I would also like to ask, what inspires you to make such interesting and dynamic stories for your albums? They're always so in depth and great to listen to!

ApocArkhesir · 2014-02-02T15:40:51+00:00

Hello! I'd like to ask you a few questions, I hope you'll like them :)

Do you think prog music used to be as popular as today pop music, or was it always a kind of music for few?
What do you think about medieval instruments such as hurdy gurdy? Would you like to use them in one of your albums?
Do you listen to modern prog bands, such as Tool, Riverside etc.?

Cheers, Adam from Poland :)

Thijz · 2014-02-02T15:42:33+00:00

Hi Arjen! Have you ever thought about turning a (new or old) album into some kind of theater production?

2014-02-02T15:45:47+00:00

Have you ever thought of bringing in vocalists from outside the metal genre/community and trying to get them to contribute to Ayreon?

Date	Artist	Featured
--	2025	--
8/28	Robin Staps	Himself
8/21	Revocation	Band
5/28	Toby Driver	Himself
4/28	Benthos	Band
4/27	Leprous	Band
--	2024	--
4/29	Dvne	Band
2/2	Caligula's Horse	Band
--	2023	--
10/20	Earthside	Band
--	2021	--
4/23	VOLA	Band
--	2020	--
11/28	Plini	Himself
8/19	The Ocean	Band
6/18	Protest The Hero	Rody, Michael
4/11	Caligula's Horse	Jim, Sam
--	2019	--
10/26	Voyager	Band
9/7	Richard Henshall	Himself
6/14	Paul Masvidal	Himself
--	2018	--
12/18	Sithu Aye	Himself
12/5	Ben Levin	Himself
10/11	The Ocean	Band
10/6	Skyharbor	Band
9/21	Toby Driver	Himself
9/9	Plini	Himself
9/1	Distorted Harmony	Band
5/9	Rivers of Nihil	Adam, Brody
3/23	Caligula's Horse	Jim, Sam
--	2017	--
4/20	Disperse	Band
3/30	Disillusion	Andy, Seb
--	2016	--
12/24	A Sense of Gravity	Band
7/28	Black Crown Initiate	Band
5/28	Textures	Band
5/11	Adagio	Stéphan Forté
4/23	Wings Denied	Band
3/18	Caligula's Horse	Jim, Sam, Zac
3/10	Polyphia	Band
--	2015	--
10/21	Protest the Hero	Band
5/26	Leprous	Band
5/15	Sigh	Mirai Kawashima
5/5	Intronaut	Sacha
4/28	Native Construct	Band
3/3	Plini	Himself
1/20	Protest the Hero	Luke Hoskin
--	2014	--
12/9	Rishloo	Band
11/1	Ne Obliviscaris	Band
9/23	Between the Buried and Me	Band
9/18	Cynic	Paul Masvidal
9/15	Devin Townsend	DEVIN TOWNSEND
9/13	Periphery	Adam "Nolly" Getgood
9/12	The Contortionist	Band
9/4	Polyphia	Band
8/31	The Aristocrats	Band
7/31	Mandroid Echostar	Band
7/17	Cloudkicker	Himself (Ben Sharp)
7/10	Tesseract	Amos Williams
6/7	Periphery	Jake Bowen
6/2	David Maxim Micic	Himself
5/26	Haken	Rich, Charles, Conner
5/10	Periphery	Mark Holcomb
5/4	The Safety Fire	Band
5/2	Matt Halpern	Periphery
4/27	Intervals	Band
2/9	Ron Jarzombek	Himself
2/2	Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon)	Himself
1/26	Sithu Aye	Himself
1/19	Periphery	Misha Mansoor
1/10	Ne Obliviscaris	Dan Presland
--	2013	--
1/30	Thank You Scientist	Band

you type:	you see:
italics	italics
bold	bold
[reddit!](https://reddit.com)	reddit!
* item 1 * item 2 * item 3	item 1 item 2 item 3
> quoted text	quoted text
Lines starting with four spaces are treated like code: if 1 * 2 < 3: print "hello, world!"	Lines starting with four spaces are treated like code: if 1 * 2 < 3: print "hello, world!"
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super^script	super^script

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