Classical Composer Reacts to The Day That The World Breaks Down (Ayreon) | The Daily Doug (Ep. 102)

[@ArjenALucassen]

Thanks so much for your interesting and positive comments, Doug, much appreciated! You sure know your business, hats off. Many of my listeners referred me to your reaction video. And... you certainly know how to give a compliment... better than Andrew Lloyd Webber, wow! JC Superstar is my biggest inspiration... so I'm not worthy. And yes, Lennon is never far :-) Thanks again and please keep up the good work!

[@Doug.Helvering]

I’m pleased to meet you. Congrats on your music success!

[@talaniel]

Hehe, yes, I knew that Arjen will like that compliment and that he will not consider himself worthy! Mr. Lucassen, you're a great musician!

[@Metal_Auditor]

@@Doug.Helvering you should pin this comment.

[@avarast]

@@talaniel Arjen sees everything !

[@TheDondoran]

Today, my brother recommended a song for me. "Leland Street" by Guilt Machine. And I was SO disappointed because I've gotten him to listen to Ayreon on many occasions, and he loves the theatricality and composition. And he didn't think I knew about Guilt Machine. I am so sad. Once I pointed it out, he immediately understood. But it is too late. He is not my brother anymore. Love you, friends!

[@adamclark6756]

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal - NWOBHM

[@jimmyggs91]

Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Diamond Head, Saxon, Mötorhead, Venom, just to mention a few examples of NWOBHM bands.

[@RealRuler2112]

LOL - just hit that part of the video & came to the comments to define NWOBHM for him. =) Pronounced nu-eh-bum.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Poor Doug.... he has a lot of catching-up to do. ;-)

[@iceddevil2005]

I recommend documentary " headbanger journey" - very good stuff describing heavy metal music

[@adamclark6756]

@@iceddevil2005 Metal Evolution is another good documentary too, it traces the origins and then goes into all the sub-divisions of metal.

[@KelbenArunsun]

James LaBrie (Dream Theater) Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) Tommy Rogers (Between the Buried and Me) Simone Simons (Epica) Nils K. Rue (Pagans Mind) Tobias Sammet (Edguy and Avantasia) Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian, also know as the Masters of the Crowds) Mike Mills (Toehider) Russell Allen (Symphony X) Michael Eriksen (Circus Maximus) Floor Jansen (Nightwish) Next Ayreon Song could be either The eye of Ra or Everybody Dies Both awesome songs, with lots of cool stuff to talk about

[@ruudkeijzer9106]

Live performance of everybody dies is a great idea!

[@picolete]

Hansi also from Demons & Wizards

[@KelbenArunsun]

@@picolete Demons and Wizards is a Colabproject with John Schaffer from Iced Earth... but that guy stormed the capital.. so i wouldnt reccommend them ^^

[@gnupungo]

Tommy Karevik is also the singer for Seventh Wonder :)

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

The Eye of Ra is a Star One album, not Ayreon.

[@michanowak7060]

Welcome aboard, fellow Ayreonaut! Almost all albums by Ayreon are concept albums, basically rock operas, as you mentioned Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals, Arjen is a huge fan of his work, he mentioned Jesus Christ Superstar as a great inspiration, Pilate's Dream in particular. His last album, Transitus is more on musical side. It was made with being a movie in mind, but you know, Pandemic, plans changed but it will be a full musical one day! On rock side you got Into The Electric Castle, whole rock opera was played live 2 years ago, Amazing Flight is a great example, and guess what? Whole concert was narrated on stage by John de Lancie aka Q from Star Trek! People from all over the world (myself included) traveled to Netherlands to witness it. For 3 days Tilburg was the Ayreon capital with Ayreon beer for sale and Ayreon burgers in restaurants ;p The Human Equation is amazing album too. It's about a man in coma, with all different singers representing different emotion, story is told in 20 songs, each one is one day of the coma. This was also played live as a Theater Equation shows. The Theory of Everything is odd one. Again very personal story, but whole album consists of only 4 songs... 20 minutes each! Reactions to whole albums at once, this is what we need, just beware not to be blown away by too much awesomeness at once :)

[@pahema472]

Thank you for this comment. I was going to attempt the same, but you did it better, I think. Cheers from Downundah. ;D

[@roblaw4554]

Yep, quite the body of work! Over 25 years he masterminded 10 Ayreon albums, 7 of which (and 1 of his solo discs) all occur in the same shared universe as TDTTWBD. Plus a couple other band projects. And finally in the last several years a few live shows. Was super fortunate to get to see Electric Castle Live! I regret very little in my life but missing out on the chance to see Universe and Theater just sucks. Thankfully there are super well-done DVDs! And even video of the Star One show...

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

I love Transitus but apparently not a lot of people do. I've heard it said that it doesn't sound like Ayreon but I disagree. Get out! Now! is awesome.

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

I thought the Theory of Everything had like 30 songs or more? Nothing is longer than 4 minutes or so.

[@michanowak7060]

@@scorpiusbalthazar4327 Theory of Everything has 4 'phases' which are meant to be listened as whole songs. I believe Arjen sent it to his friends for feedback and when they told him 4 epics are too much to take he just cut songs into pieces without rearranging it. tbh I think it wasn't his best idea. I'd cut this album a bit differently :P As of Transitus, Dumb Piece of Rock is one of my favorite Ayreon songs! But album as a whole got too much repetition near the end for me.

[@spikeysnack]

I Still consider "Into The Electric Castle" as a definitive Masterpiece.

[@Barthzord]

Definitely my favorite Ayreon album. Would love to see Doug react to Amazing Flight!

[@TheCyberMantis]

That is about the time I discovered them. Over 20 years ago.

[@md1476]

Absolutely their best album to listen to as am album. Live concert is phenomenal too.

[@Visionoir]

Agreed. In the years after he has been repeating himself all over, with same chord progressions and formulas

[@Metalton95]

Theory of Everything (pure art, a modern symphony in 4 parts, with synths - masterpiece) 01011001 (absolute hit parade, and a handful of 8+ min songs!) Into the Electric Castle (classic, the definitive Ayreon sound & album) The Human Equation (the lyrical & conceptual masterpiece) The Source (great recap of everything Ayreon has to offer)

[@davguev]

Next Ayreon song could be Everybody Dies. It's awesome!

[@kiwitron]

Yes! Live version from Ayreon Universe!!!

[@jaeoskyldig]

And Into the Black Hole

[@willowb518]

Please not, its always these two Ayreon Songs they react to. Garden of Emotions Twisted Coil Amazing Flight Druids turn to stone

[@someonesusingmyname]

Was going to suggest this.

[@deeduffjr]

AMAZING live performance!

[@GAIS414]

Fun fact, the binary part sung by Michael Mills translated into text says: trustTH1

[@randalljones4370]

Lols !! gonna dereference a null pointer if he makes that word wider.

[@69Tiburoncito]

True

[@Brunillion]

The name TH1 is a “tribute” to Mike’s band ToeHider

[@69Tiburoncito]

@@Brunillion In Toehider we trust. Mike/Michael Mills is also an amazing multi instrumentalist (very very good guitar player and a good Keyboard Player).

[@572Btriode]

It's in the good, old fashioned ASCII.

[@dontanton7775]

If you like epic long songs with lots of different parts, check out "And Then There Was Silence" by "Blind Guardian". (It's the band from the vocalist at 11:39 in this video). Though not the live version, it lacks a lot of layers.

[@myewgul]

I can't stress this enough. And then There Was Silence by Blind Guardian, please. What a journey of a song!

[@imokin86]

Yes, a true epic.

[@preludePT]

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Doug. Now that you're becoming a metalhead you have to familiarise yourself with the acronyms 😁

[@paveldronov9944]

Did you mean Dutch?

[@preludePT]

@@paveldronov9944you have to see the whole video to understand 😊

[@alyssacrnkovic2691]

The singer Tommy Karevik is phenomenal. He deserves to be listened to in his own band(s). He's currently the lead singer of Kamelot which is a much more well known band, however his lesser known but older band is Seventh Wonder, and THIS is where you need to hear him. Seventh Wonder gives him a lot more space to play with his voice, and he can do some crazy things with it. I would suggest Welcome to Mercy Falls as the song to start with.

[@ConfessorRahl]

Seventh Wonder is hands down one of the most under appreciated bands around. Just beauty all around. When Tommy joined Kamelot it was the only choice that was able to take the sting out of losing Khan.

[@alyssacrnkovic2691]

@@ConfessorRahl ugh right?! Every time a reactor does this song, I urge them to listen to SW to hear Tommy instead of Kamelot, and every time I’ve been ignored. No one has reacted to them yet! And they deserve to be heard!

[@TheDoctorIWho]

Thinking about Seventh wonder: "The Great Escape" will be a great pick for you.

[@DonCarnage42]

@@TheDoctorIWho Would love to hear Doug do a reaction to the song The Great Escape!

[@imokin86]

SW is a better choice for Doug, because their composing style is more advanced than Kamelot, especially the latest Kamelot albums (I do like the newer Kamelot, but it is what it is, more straightforward music, almost pop).

[@KhordLizardMage]

Arjen has been doing this Ayreon project for a LONG time. He generally uses new musicians and singers on each album. This was one of the first that had singers come back into the project from previous albums. He very seldom plays live, especially since getting SOO many singers to your together is a logistical nightmare. He has performed a few select shows, look up Ayreon Universe. It was after this album and he had some of the singers on stage (Hansi, Mike Mills etc). Fantastic performance all around.

[@talaniel]

@@allie9452 Hm, I do not think he's running out of names, I think he just uses these great people again just because they are great.

[@chessbrainiac]

He had singers coming back already on Actual Fantasy and Into the Electric Castle . Several of the singers on his debut album The Final Experiment sang on his first 3 albums. Only when you got to The Human Equation did he start using mostly new singers on his albums.

[@icaroprado2720]

Next: Blind Guardian - And Then There Was Silence (he has to know Hansi a bit more haha)

[@jimz6850]

Hansi can read the ingredients on a cereal box and the fans would sing along with him!

[@nettocap]

Oh! It would be fun to watch Doug react to ATTWS!

[@nathanadam4666]

OH my god yes. Cannot state this enough

[@bravenewozzy]

I Vote this! Amazing song. Over 200 tracks mixed into this, Blind Guardian's Magnum Opus!

[@bravenewozzy]

I Vote this! Amazing song. Over 200 tracks mixed into this, Blind Guardian's Magnum Opus!

[@anastasisanastasia1436]

You need to review Into the Black Hole by Ayreon with Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden singing. Epic track. Don't worry you're not going to hell it just sounds like you are.

[@gabolujan]

Bruce's best performance of his career, imo.

[@harrygorrod4463]

I second this, such an epic song and one of Bruce's strongest, yet most underrated, vocal performances.

[@69Tiburoncito]

@@gabolujan Bruce Dickinson was so impressed by Arjen Anthony Lucassen hé wanted to make a whole Album with him. Lucassen was so happy and exited about the idea he told it to some journalist and Dickinson became very angry because it was leaked so the project got canceled.

[@anastasisanastasia1436]

@@69Tiburoncito always wondered why that record never happened. It still needs to happen though.

[@MrEddison84]

A vote for this! That track is a pure celebration of Bruce's awesomeness! Belt singing at its finest.

[@pdutchie4924]

The Floor bomb at the end always works 😁 They did a live concert called ‘Universe’, the whole concert is Epic! I advice you to just do everything 😄🙋🏼‍♀️

[@robertorazevedo]

Arjen is such a amazing musician. This is the first Ayreon song i have heard. The "Ayreon Universe" and "Electric Castle live and Other Tales" are incredible to watch in a home theater system.

[@rikvanommen9564]

I totally agree. I love those live albums/DVD's over the studio albums of Ayreon.

[@fnglert]

Floor is a common collaborator on Ayreon projects. As someone else once put it, Arjen loves setting her off like a bomb in the finale.

[@CBadger]

Just to add to your comment. Floor and her sister Irene have been in Ayreon since long before her fame, pre-2000/2001 and were originally backing vocalists called Ayreon's Angels. They were also both backing vocalists for Star One, Arjen's other sci-fi prog project.

[@fnglert]

@@CBadger First time I heard Floor was her backing vocals on My House On Mars.

[@CBadger]

@@fnglert Yeah. Universal Migrator part 1 from 2000. Those two albums (Universal Migrator 1 and 2), in my opinion, are Arjen's most solid and best work. Part 2 particularly.

[@fnglert]

@@CBadger I'm more partial to The Human Equation, but UM is also a favorite.

[@damienmaynard8892]

Have you seen Arjen standing next to Floor? He is SO tall!!!!

[@crabuki1273]

Yay! Was hoping you'd get around to this! I adore all of Arjen's projects. He's the man. Arjen didn't want to play this live for years because of how hard it is to get all the people together, in addition to his own stage fright. But he did it in 2018 and a few times thereafter, and it's AWESOME. Check out the live version of "Everybody Dies" for a wonderful example. Thank you so much for doing Ayreon, Arjen deserves a lot more attention. Almost all of Arjen's Ayreon albums are concept albums. He also has other projects, like Star One, the Gentle Storm, and Stream of Passion (among others) which are all pretty good. There's an Ayreon album called The Human Equation which, similar to The Source (the album this track came from), has multiple roles, both people and individual emotions (one of whom is played by Devon Townsend). I'm fanboying a little, but it's also a great album. I mean I say that like all his work isn't worth getting into. He's just a wonderful, inspiring composer and I like to think he must be a pretty good guy or else all these people wouldn't keep working with him. Floor and Irene have worked with him for ages.

[@Mr88Shadows]

Amazing, I love Ayreon! So now, you gotta do Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy. It has LOTS of classical influences.

[@stewartterry7090]

Ayreon generally doesn't do live shows, but they have on a couple rare occasions. With proper recording, thankfully! Highly recommend you check out the live performances of Everybody Dies and Intergalactic Space Crusaders

[@AJ_NL_1963]

Great choices. And indeed live performances are brilliant

[@RobCaldera]

Check out Avantasia. It's a similar project like Ayreon where each album is a story with multiple characters. It's a bit less progressive but still really good. Try the song "The Seven Angels". For Ayreon, you just have to dive into entire albums like The Source, The Human Equation or Into the Electric Castle...all as incredible as what you just watched.

[@gsresener]

Funny thing, i suggested the same song before seeing your comment

[@markhoward2811]

There are clips from his live shows on KZbin. Everybody dies from this same album is recommended. Others are from Ayreon and his other project albums like The Eye of Ra, Valley of the Queens, Age of Shadows, Isis and Osiris, Day 11:Love, Intergalactic Space Crusaders and Another time, Another Space.

[@darkiee69]

Don't forget And the Druids turned to stone. It's a masterpiece.

[@josephbloomquist6850]

Haha, been waiting for this one! I wish every reactor did this one sooner in their journey.

[@adrienambroise333]

Defintely should go for a Haken song😁 Crystallised would blow your mind I'm pretty sure😊

[@davguev]

That song makes me happy.

[@TheCpEric]

Yes!!!

[@talaniel]

YES!! Crystallised is my favorite. Also Pareidolia, The Architect, Puzzle box,...

[@jedinxf7]

The Cockroach King Muppet video would be my favorite thing to see reactions to but I wish they hadn't cut the jazz part of the song for no obvious reason

[@jedinxf7]

well I'm glad that happened!

[@joaopaulohanke]

You know one great album from Ayreon I would like to see you reacting? The Human Equation. It's a very long album (1h40m total), but it is a true masterpiece! If I need to pick two songs from it, I would recommend "Day Eleven: Love" and "Day Sixteen: Loser"

[@JasonTaylorRocks]

Stop messing around and react to Unleash the Archers.

[@andrewjaman4697]

I don't hear music like this so much nowadays. This is so cool! Doug - thanks for turning me onto them!

[@KhordLizardMage]

Ar-yen by the way, lol. Ayreon is freaking AMAZING! Such a humble human being as well.

[@lisbelbarzaga8238]

By the way, you should listen to AVANTASIA with TOBIAS SAMMET......you can do a reaction video of the song THE SCARECROW (The Flying Opera)

[@fnito500]

Every reaction to The Day that the World Breaks Down: "Oh, wow I love this This is epic ... Floor!"

[@andystrange7405]

I was truly excited about watching this a s you didn’t disappoint. Keep up the good work Doug, loving the reactions so far. New Wave of British Heavy Metal - NWOBHM, a term referring to a clutch of bands emerging in the ‘80s and having an impact on the metal genres. Arjen is a great musician and there is so much to listen to. Most are rock operas and without a shadow of a doubt he always works with great talent. He has also been doing the remote recording since 2007 when he worked with a singer from an Ayreon album to start a band. The band was called Stream of Passion. Stream to refer to the remote recording and working of the different members and Passion as that’s who Marcela Bovio played on his Human Equation album. She is also worthy of checking out. For the next songs I’d pick Amazing Flight In Space from Ayreon Universe, Garden of Emotions from Into The Electric Castle Live, Twisted Coil from the same live show, Starchild from Star One Live and Songs of the Ocean from Ayreon Universe. But in reality pick a song and you shouldn’t be disappointed, they vary in technicality, catchiness and length but that diversity is also a mark of the man, who is a top bloke by the way. Had a chance to meet him and the Stream Of Passion band (plus Damian Wilson, amazing vocalist and ex-Valjean) after a gig in London, all were down to Earth and as friendly as they come.

[@gsresener]

If you are into metal opera, you should give a go at Avantasia. It's somewhat like Ayreon, but put together by Tobias Sammet (yes, captain in this song), and their first two albums are actually called "the metal opera", pt 1 and 2. I really dig Farewell, such amazing vocals. And the seven angels is really epic

[@darkiee69]

"In quest for" from mo pt 2 is my go to song.

[@geopoliticsweekly]

Rhapsody’s “Sacred Power of Raging Winds” and/or Rhapsody of Fire’s “Son of Pain.” Two names but same band.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Arjen isn't just out to write epic works, he's also determined to have a lot of fun while doing it. 🙂

[@HeviRane]

I thought Helloween - Keeper of the seven keys would be a mindblower, but ok Ayreon is next level

[@robertvarga5788]

Helloween is the next level :)

[@Momo-rv6en]

He does play live, but mostly other artists are singing and are playing the instruments. Arjen has stage freight.

[@martindoorn9638]

But not always! On Ayreon Universe he is in three songs and in Into The Electric Castle he is in almost all songs

[@TheCyberMantis]

@suspicionofdeceit "stage freight"! LoL! Freight train!

[@talaniel]

@@TheCyberMantis well, could be a typo :-) Not nice to laugh, just correct :-)

[@rxhx]

The whole song gives me multiple goosebumps! One of the favorite moments is Hansi Kürsch' vocals!

[@paulkasiola4041]

This is my favorite quarantine new artist. I heard a reaction and found myself humming the song the next day. I went right out and purchased the album. Glad you got to see and react to this. There is a full album lyric video that give you the story of the source. You might like checking out Everybody Dies live.

[@bigg2988]

Btw, who else thought Everybody Dies Live is such a boss pun! \m/\m/

[@macarenamarissi2785]

Finally Ayreon! Yo need to try Therion

[@anastasisanastasia1436]

Enter Vril-Ya :-)

[@SulacoNY]

You had me at "better than anything ALW could ever write". "Lloyd Webber's awful stuff runs for years and years and years" - Roger Waters (it's a miracle)

[@talaniel]

Actually, It's a bit funny cos I think Webber did Jesus Christ Superstar, right? That is a rock opera Arjen Lucassen likes a lot and it is one of the sources of inspiration for Ayreon project, if I am not mistaken.

[@georgiatsetsonivocals]

Arjen is a genious!!Amazing composer,i love him

[@maxmaidment96]

This makes me so happy. Not my choice of the vast catalogue of Arjen, but undeniably an exciting showcase of a bunch of singers. My personal fav is Twisted Coil by his side project called Guilt Machine.

[@talaniel]

Yes, that one is great! Both the original version with Jasper and live version with Damien.

[@maxmaidment96]

@@talaniel I loved the original so much before I found out about the live version with Damien, and he absolutely nails it. So powerful.

[@karolienharbrinknuman7820]

I loved your reaction! NWOBHM stands for new wave of British heavy metal. The binary part played by Mike Mills as TH1, the computer, means 'trust TH1'. Arjen does play live, but seldom. He has a terrible case of stage fright. To continue your Ayreon journey, I reccommend 'the eye of ra', 'everybody dies', 'Age of shadows' and 'the valley of the queens'. Stay healthy!

[@Leo-zt7fo]

If you're going to listen to more Ayreon, there is no way around "Isis And Osiris" (1998)

[@talaniel]

Yes, that one is stunning. One of my Ayreon favorites. The Fifth Extinction is also interesting.

[@MountainMetal]

Amazing stuff. So much extraordinary talent and creativity packed into one song. Inspired, I am.

[@mattsdpell5029]

I love the way you listen, Doug. When you find out that there was Russell Allen from Symphony X I cried a little. So beautiful watching a man like you. Thanks

[@valentin_din_romania]

react to '' Swarm '' by Thank You Scientist

[@RD-wg2nt]

I’m with you Doug. First time hearing this myself. Magnificent, such an eclectic musical landscape. Will check out more for sure. 👏

[@cbh440]

The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal started in 1979 and ran roughly up to 1984. It was a rather fun time to be a metalhead!

[@atriplexa2462]

So glad you discover Ayreon. Arjan is a genius composer, Just like Tuomas. I would love to see you react tot Wintersun🤘🥰

[@MazeMouse]

For Ayreon you should do streams and get the entire albums in an single sitting. Get the full stories because they are so worth it.

[@LongandWeirdName]

Seconded. Ayreon should be heard as full concept albums for full appreciation. While Arjen is a great composer, it's a storyteller that he truly shines as. Two of the albums are actually life changing.

[@branlopgar]

@@LongandWeirdName "Two of the albums"? Let me guess. Into the Electric Castle and The Human Equation? Because, if so, I totally agree

[@edwardmalthouse973]

Another one of Lucassen's projects is called the Gentle Storm, which features Anneke van Giersbergen, who is also great! I'd start with the song Amsterdam.

[@chickenoncheese]

Really glad you're now finding Ayreon. He has some very cool/different stuff. Big time talented writer! Thanks for the videos!!

[@davidputterman2719]

Great song, great reaction. One of the singers, Simone Simons is the lead singer of Epica (which you definitely need to listen to). Epica's song, Sancta Terra has Floor and Simone singing together with a full orchestra and chorus behind the symphonic metal band.

[@gandyhyoga6942]

Wait for Arjen to show up in the comments!

[@CharlesSook]

React to The amazing flight!!

[@talaniel]

Now which version? Studio? Live from Ayreon Universe? Live from Electric Castle? I would go with a live version, but which one?

[@ConfessorRahl]

Ayreon is truly one of the most consistently exciting projects out there. Album after album he delivers, and this song is one of the most epic. Great video as always Doug! I’m going to recommend Meshuggah’s Clockworks (live) or Bleed (Live). Pay close attention to the drums, Tomas Haake is a legend

[@BidonRacing]

Aeryon is rfeally awesome ! It's pretty hard to find the Aeryon Universe live BD but i recommand you to have it your colletion !!! Nice job as usual :)

[@sVieira151]

Great reaction! I think you should give The Human Equation a listen in full at some point. Has quite a few singers you'd recognise (Mikael Akerfeldt, Devin Townsend, James La Brie among them) and I think it's Ayreon's best album to date.

[@Luzarioth]

I can not overstate how awesome the entire album is ! Do yourself a Favor and just listen to it, you will NOT regret it :)

[@ArinmarDeKaldenoc]

Great reaction again..Arjen is such a master in composition..and hes worth every complimet :) Im not sure how far it goes for u with harsh vocals, but interm of composition you rly should react to Wintersun "Time", official video from live rehearsels in Sonic Pump Studios. Jari, the lead singer/Guitarist creates all instruments/backing tracks/lyrics by himself besides the drums, which are made by Hai Hahto (since u´ve listened to Nightwish i guess i know him, cuz he plays with them atm). Its heavy, but its awesome musicianship and arrangement composing. Thumps up and keep going Doug

[@josemvfranco]

I didn't know this project! Incredible! These are unique opportunities to bring great musicians together in well-crafted music. Please Doug, bring Avantasia - Sign Of The Cross (R.I.P André Mattos), and Rainbow - Stargazer .... =)

[@Klavinoid]

Isis and Osiris - Ayreon, next!

[@juanchibrossa8569]

Ayreon songs to check: ALL OF THEM! :)

[@seanokennedy4348]

This entire concept album is just gold. I would say from this go for the deathcry of our race. It has some nice eatern melodic pieces. Alternatively, from another album of ayreon you could try comatose as a more chilled and legato piece.

[@ourawkfist]

Its almost a throwback to 70s rock with metal... This feels a little like Queen in a way. OK, as a note, i posted this WELL before he brought up 70s, Genesis and Queen, LOL..

[@MAGAMAN]

You should check out the 01011001 and/or the Universal Migrator (disc 1) albums. 01011001 is probably one of my favorites, but the Universal Migrator is also really good, but if you read the lyrics, the story can be pretty depressing.

[@Justin.Danford]

You should do more Ayreon, each album is a concept and he always enlists amazing talent and singers, all are mostly quite well composed.

[@somedutchguy2062]

Nice to see this through the KZbin-eyes of a composer and music lover. Knew the stuff already, for sure. But this perspective and view: worth while! By the way. Floor. She has a sister. She, her name is Irene, is also very talented. And she worked with Arjen too. Fun facts, as they say. Bye.

[@Bolteus]

Ayreon's a bit tricky because a lot of it is an "album thing" IMO. But I'd suggest "Isis and Osiris", "Into the Black Hole" (for more Dickinson), "Dragon On The Sea" ,"The Fifth Extinction", "The Banishment", "Day Twelve: Trauma", "Phase II: Symmetry"

[@pahema472]

G`day, Doug, and thank you for giving me another excuse to listen to Ayreon. Sorry mate, but I have to do something: Are-yen Lucas-en. I did exactly the same thing. At least you got Air-eon right! LOL ... better than I managed the first time. I hope you continue with Ayreon. I'm interested in your take on the rest of their work. Anyway, cheers from Downundah.

[@69Tiburoncito]

The narator with this live Ayreon concert is John de Lancie (he plays Q in Star Trek): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGasmqele72Wbac There are a lot more epic Ayreon songs (Sea of Machines is a very good Song). And on the Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s KZbin channel there is also a very nice Video of Valley of the Queens (Floor Jansen with 2 other female vocalists). Sea of Machines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipPIk4Jrd7-cY6s

[@Northern5tar]

Funny you mentioned synthesis. It's a Dutch guy and I've noticed and would say the Dutch are very good at fusing different musical elements, styles, etc. Look at the location of the Netherlands on a map. To the North, Scandinavia with it's unique flavors, from Abba to Night Wish To the East, Germany and mainland Europe, The sentiment and nostalgia and it's opposite rough industrial sound. To the West, the UK and the Anglo word, giving us modern pop, rock and now the revival of the Celtic sound. To the South, the Latin world, the melodic, soft aspects and the edgy almost vulgar as it's polar opposite. And at the center of these different worlds, different peoples with long histories and cultures, sits this tiny country. Culturally, historically it is a nation of synthesis. A bit dramatic but that's my opinion. All peoples have their traits and strengths and I think the Dutch are best at fusion.

[@jasonantbro]

You should give a listen to Savatage- "The Wake of Magellan". Extremely underrated band!

[@merqury5]

So glad you liked this! Remember this is musical theatre, just enjoy it and shut off your calculator.

[@nickman287]

Nwobhm: new wave of british heavy metal, pioneered by bands like iron maiden and saxon. Arjen doesn't play live. He's been on a few exclusive concerts, but he's mostly socially reclusive. Since you like the theatrical stuff, I'm asking again for you to listen to pain of salvation - iter impius / martius nauticus II

[@Eloso3135]

Two more by Ayreon; Castle Hall and Across the Rainbow Bridge

[@Hipp0campus_1]

If you want to see a Rock Opera by Ayreon check out the "Ayreon Universe" live show. It's a best-of tied together into a phenomal show with all our favourite singers! you can find it on youtube.

[@RushAss]

Ay yes, the rabbit hole that is Ayreon. What an amazing project. Simply amazing stuff. I've been a fan for decades and Arjen has yet to let me down.

[@paradiseproductscostarica9160]

If you want to get an idea of what "this guy" is really about hear Pink Beatles on a Purple Zeppelin

[@crisganu0594]

Oh man you got me with this one, I have a weakness for Ayreon, you need to react to some of the into the electric castle live DVD, the production is amazing 💥

[@FlyingAce1016]

great track has hansi from blind guardian (tuns of songs to check out there) and also Tobias from avantasia, Rick Wakeman from yes has also done the keyboards on some tracks in his older albums!

[@LuigiMarchelle]

I like to define Ayreon as the "Metal All-Star". Arjen gathers so many great musicians, creates amazing music and powerful stories. I think you will enjoy the albums "The Human Equation" and "The Theory Of Everything". If you want to do a reaction find something from Ayreon Universe Concert, you won't regret it.

[@liormk7655]

Ayreon is definitely my favorite musician by far. If you want a complex interesting rock opera from him - his best album imo is "the human equation".

[@matheusalmeidair]

Pleaaaase, react to Adagio - Intröitus Solvet Saeclum!!

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Sorry, tried to watch, but talking over the music, while so much is going on was too chaotic for me.

[@rhinni]

Ayreon is amazing, all of his work! Great reaction :)

[@meestercasper9979]

Time for you to tackle WIntersun Son of Winter and Stars live rehearsal video ;)

[@ibd1977]

Do yourself a favour a get a copy of Ayreon's Into The Electric Castle Live. One of his best live productions to date.

[@69Tiburoncito]

And the Ayeron Universe concert ( I have been to 1 of the 3 concerts and it was amazing).

[@md1476]

Best advice ever

[@drizztdourdenfc]

Helloween - Keeper of the seven keys!

[@obi-wannabekennotbi2418]

Helloween - Halloween

[@thanorodd5663]

I have been looking forward to this one eventually coming up. It was inevitable. Thanks for sharing the fun with us! :)

[@NamelessOne22]

Now that you've been introduced to Hansi, you really should do something from Blind Guardian. I suggest "Battlefield" or "Nightfall" or really anything.

[@hansevers8605]

For me, this is composing on the next level. Arjen and Tuomas bin the greatest composers from this era on any level.

[@noneofyourbusiness3288]

I absolutely love this album, it is the closest to a metal opera I have seen so far (only rivaled by "Operation Mindcrime" by "Queensrÿche"). The fact that I know most of the singers from their other bands adds even more flavor. ^^

[@dave-bk6vt]

"oh he's giving away the chord by showing it with his hand" - the sign of a true professional If you like metal and classical being mixed, I'd recommend Epica ft Floor Jansen - Sancta Terra live @ Retrospect

[@rolsen1304]

@Doug Helvering Epica is for sure something you should give a few listens, Sancta Terra, Kingdom of Heaven parts 1-3, Design Your Universe, Consign to Oblivion and so on are all good choices.

[@darkiee69]

How about Stabat mater dolorosa from the same show?

[@jamesodonnell2869]

I hope you find as much enjoyment as I have from this music. Glad you did the reaction. Expanding the fan base one music lover at a time.

[@Eincrou]

18:50 I don't have a much experience with Lucassen's music, but he has a song about _The Matrix_ called "Digital Rain" from his project called Star One. Russell Allen and Floor Jansen sing on that track as well.

[@gorkaanduezamanrique2449]

Star one is amazing. Two great studio albums and best live performance " live on earth"

[@FrancoIslaMassa]

Star One rocks ♥

[@olicorrivo3289]

ALL of Ayreon works are rock operas. I believe his best is The human equation. They recorded a very theater-like performance of the whole album and it definitely worth checking it out, If not for the channel, for yourself. Its a 2h story that is worth most movies and its all musical. Great stuff. Thanks for reaction

[@emigm2155]

If you want more stuff from Ayreon, definitely chek out Amazing Flight and Day Two: Isolation

[@jeffersonchavarria924]

Day Two is such a great song. It's been my Ayreon favorite song from the very first time I listened to it

[@JudaGoethe]

Nice reaction Doug, Ayreon actual ly has 2 live recordings, you should react to some songs such as "Everybody Dies (live)", "The eye of Ra (live)" or other ones from the DVD Ayreon Universe. There are a lot of singers playing in these concert

[@talaniel]

Yes, The Eye of Ra is great live. There was also a Star One DVD (another Lucassen's project from which The Eye of Ra comes), but never seen that.