Composer and multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen has firmly established himself worldwide as driving force in progressive rock. While best known for his rock opera project Ayreon, the multi-talented Dutchman also regularly embarks on musical side projects, which explore different aspects of Lucassen's musical personality. As his previous project (Guilt Machine's On This Perfect Day 2009) was a relatively relaxed and subtle affair, Lucassen's muses responded by urging him to record something loud, heavy and anything but subtle for this new release. Thus it was a perfect opportunity to launch his musical spacecraft towards the galaxy of bombastic sci-fi rock by revisiting his Star One project.
The result is the album Victims of the Modern Age, the follow-up to the Star One debut album, Space Metal (2002). Compared to Space Metal, the overall sound of Victims of the Modern Age is darker, heavier, more guitar-oriented, and slightly less "spacey". Arjen has also raised the bar significantly when it comes to the album's sound: "I think it's my best sounding album to date; it's a huge difference compared to the first Star One. For the guitars I spent weeks experimenting with different amps and settings in every combination imaginable -- and it was worth it. The drums sound fantastic, and the vocalists all outdid themselves, putting in even stronger performances than they did the first time around."
Victims of the Modern Age will be released on InsideOut Music in North America on October 26th . With its stellar musicianship, strong melodies, meticulous production and compelling concept, Star One's Victims of the Modern Age is yet another exciting project from one of rock's great visionaries. Please check Arjen's video message presenting cast of lead vocalists and the concept of Victims of the Modern Age featuring
Russell Allen (Symphony X)
Damian Wilson (Headspace, Threshold)
Floor Jansen (ReVamp, ex-After Forever)
Dan Swanö (Nightingale, Second Sky, ex-Edge Of Sanity)
For more information please visit:
www.arjenlucassen.com
www.myspace.com/ayreonauts
www.insideout.de
www.myspace.com/insideoutlabel
13 February, 2009 Bejing, China MG Live House
15 February, 2009 Shanghai, China Wanping Theater
17 February, 2009 Kowloon, Hong Kong HITEC Auditorium
20 February, 2009 Bangkok, Thailand AUA Auditorium
22 February, 2009 Taipei, Taiwan Sword Lake Youth Activity Center
As a semi-reminder, I will be writing up a piece on the new Paradise Lost special edition release. I've been living with the album the past few days, and...well, I don't have any other SymX albums to compare it to, so I can't say how it rests among previous releases like V or Divine Wings of Tragedy or anything else, but...I like it quite a bit. I'm not much into progressive metalthese days, having pretty much overdosed on it, but I'd say SymX may have a bit more in common with the European power metal bands in many ways.
And yes, Russell Allen is probably THE voice in prog metal as far as I am concerned.
Anyway, expect a more in depth review in the next day or so, once I get Karmakanic's review up on the blog (later today, I'd wager).
