Way back in 2012 Arjen Anthony Lucassen, aka Ayreon, released his third solo album called Lost In The New Real (see review) and I absolutely loved that album. Now, in 2025, Mister Lucassen releases his new solo album called Songs No One Will Hear, another concept album dealing with the end of the world, as Arjen asks the listeners the question "what would you do if you knew the world was ending in five months?" Lucassen's new album features nine tracks and right from the start the music sounds so familiar: guitar-driven prog rock with "obvious" influences from notorious bands like Pink Floyd and The Beatles. Musical guests, like Koen Herfst (drums), Floor Jansen (vocals), Marcela Bovio (vocals), Joost van den Broek (keyboards) are of course omnipresent here, but it is Lucassen himself who "steals the show," with his guitar playing and singing. The Clock Ticks Down is packed with synthesizer walls, heavy guitar riffs and emotional vocals by Floor Jansen and Lucassen, while Goddamn Conspiracy stands out due to the beautiful flute passages. Dr. Slumber's Blue Bus is a rather heavy track with classic rock influences in the veins of the late Ozzy Osbourne, while Just Not Today is a quiet acoustic track. But Lucassen saves the best for last, as Our Final Song is the absolute highlight of this album. Our Final Song is a fourteen-minute prog rock rollercoaster, filled with catchy riffs, wonderful guitar melodies, riffs and solos, sensational vocals and last but not least lots of musical diversity and tempo changes; so, a true almost immaculate musical epos indeed. Need I say more.... No, just hurry to the record store to get your copy of Songs No One Will Hear and enjoy this masterpiece! ****+ Martien Koolen (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
