Music: Ayreon

A purpose-built band that kills it in the studio actually takes the show on the road, and WOW

Ayreon is a creation of the Dutch multi-instramentalist — Arjen Anthony Lucassen — that is known for themed operatic projects, and the cast of musicians he brings in to collaborate all build upon the theme, playing cast to the story that Arjen lays down.

And that gives epic albums that are a joy to listen through with or without chemical altered consciousness and good headphones.

But then Arjen takes the show on the road.

• Elaborate staging with props, themes? Check

• Top tier musicians, honed and well-practiced? Check

• Deliver a superior visual as well as audio live experience? Check and Check

I have shared my thoughts about one of his project albums, “The Source” in the past, but 01011001 was a prior work, and when I bought it on CD, many of the titles went into rotation on my main playlist. Sure, I listen to it from the first track to the last many times, and I will do so again.

Aryeon: The Source

So, imagine my surprise when The Fate of Man popped up on my Youtube feed. Apparently, Arjen is reviewing the Blu-ray master from the recent tour, and this was a clip he felt he needed to share pre-release.

In it, you hear amazing sound of the music, and you see that the artists are all top shelf, well-rehearsed, and they are enjoying themselves, and as they say, the sum is greater than the parts.

I hope you enjoy this track and are inspired to dig a bit more into the amazing Arjen Anthony Lucassen.