ARJEN ANTHONY LUCASSEN: Video Portrait Posted Online

June 5, 2012

FaceCulture has uploaded a video portrait of the Dutch composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and AYREON mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen. The seven-minute clip, which was shot in and around his home in the Netherlands, can be seen below. In the video, Lucassen speaks freely about his love for science fiction and running, his music obsession (and the accompanying rituals and routines),and the depression that deprived him of his desire to make new music.

Lucassen's new concept solo album, "Lost In The New Real", entered the official chart in his home country at position No. 16 and the Dutch alternative chart at #No. 2.

The story of "Lost In The New Real" follows Mr. L, a 21st-Century man who was cryopreserved at the moment of clinical death from a terminal disease. The album begins as Mr. L is being revived at a point in the distant future, when technology has advanced enough to cure his disease. Mr L finds himself in a world that has drastically changed — to the point that the line between what's real and what's not is no longer clear.

Mr. L's appointed psychological advisor (played by legendary screen actor Rutger Hauer) is tasked with helping him emotionally adapt to this strange new world. The songs on CD1 follow the main character Mr. L's emotional journey as he is confronted with both serious and comical aspects of the "New Real", and desperately tries to decide if he can find a meaningful place within it.

CD2 is a mix of songs that are part of the concept but didn't fit on CD1, and cover songs that are (more or less) related to the concept. As Arjen's fans have come to expect, informative and humorous "behind-the-scenes" videos are added to both CDs as CD-ROM tracks. This beautiful two-CD limited-edition mediabook is illustrated by the striking artwork of Claudio Bergamin.

Lucassen recently enlisted the talents of legendary screen actor Rutger Hauer as the narrator on "Lost In The New Real".

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