But a single month after the release of Arjen Anthony Lucassen‘s first solo album in thirteen years with his soundtrack to humanity’s final days with the apocalyptic Songs No One Will Hear, comes the announcement of the subsequent release of a digital deluxe version that includes narration, instrumentals, and bonus tracks.
“What would people do if they only had five months left to live because of an asteroid impact?” asks the rock impressario. “In the first song of the album, ‘The Clock Ticks Down’, we meet people reacting in very different ways. One woman locks herself in her room and refuses to face it. An old man tries to reach out to his son after years of silence. The world is slowly falling apart as reality sets in. So, get ready for a mix of emotions and musical styles!”
Aptly, ‘The Clock Ticks Down’ was Lucassen’s latest single, prior to the physical album’s release via InsideOutMusic, with a video that you can check out here at RAMzine.
The album itself offers an eclectic blend of tracks, moving seamlessly from powerful, epic songs to lighter, more playful ones. At its core, Songs No One Will Hear is bound by a profound concept: what would people do if they only had five months left to live because of an asteroid impact? Expect an emotional rollercoaster, delving into both the light and dark aspects of human nature.
Guiding the album is narration from Mike Mills (Toehider) along with ccollaborators like Irene and Floor Jansen, Robert Soeterboek, Marcela Bovio, and Patty Gurdy, adding depth to the album’s diverse sound.
The physical album is available via InsideOutMusic as a deluxe 36-page artbook (including 3 CDs and Blu-ray 5.1 surround mix), CD digipak, 2 LP gatefold vinyl (including bonus tracks & cover track), offering fans the ultimate immersive experience and a digital album. It can ordered here.
Tracks featured on the CD are: ‘End Of The World Show’, ‘The Clock Ticks Down’, ‘Goddamn Conspiracy’, ‘The Universe Has Other Plans’, ‘Shaggathon’, ‘We’ll Never Know’, ‘Dr. Slumber’s Blue Bus’, ‘Just Not Today’ and ‘Our Final Song’ – But there’s more avaiable on the Digital Deluxe Version that’s available here.
Earlier this summer, the epic ‘Our Final Song’ was released, both aptly the last track on the record, but ironically the first single released from it.
“’Our Final Song’ is the 15-minute epic finale of the album, blending an eclectic mix of musical styles and shifting seamlessly between powerful, dramatic sections and lighter, more introspective moments,” said Lucassen. “As the end draws near, people facing their final hours experience a wide range of emotions like anger, regret, and peace. Many gather on Sanctuary Island to sing one last song together. And in true Ayreon fashion… there’s a sneaky little epilogue. You’ll have to figure that part out yourself!”
You can watch the 15-minute mini-movie for ‘Our Final Song’ made by Arjen Lucassen, Elan Lopez, Dave Letelier and Lori Linstruth here at RAMzine.
