AYREON Mastermind ARJEN LUCASSEN Wins Virtuoso Award At 2014 Progressive Music Awards In London
September 13, 2014, 10 years ago
Ayreon mastermind and prog rock legend Arjen Lucassen has checked in with the following update:
"This terrified social recluse had to leave the safe haven of the Electric Castle and head to London for the Prog Awards, which were attended by intimidating prog gods like Peter Gabriel and Rick Wakeman. But I had a good reason... I won the Virtuoso Award! I accepted it, even though I’m soooo not a virtuoso (feel free to contradict me *cough cough wink wink*)."The 2014 Progressive Music Awards took place on Thursday, September 11th at Underglobe in London, England. Watch for a full recap, coming soon.
Lucassen recently announced his next album as a collaboration with vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen (ex-The Gathering) dubbed The Gentle Storm, saying it will be "an epic concept double album, a combination of 'classical meets metal' and 'acoustic folk'."
The official press release for The Gentle Storm courtesy of BraveWords scribe Carl Begai is as follows:
The Gentle Storm double album is an epic production of Ayreon proportions, divided into two parts as a full-on metal assault (CD1) and lighter folk arrangements (CD2). It also heralds Anneke's return to the realms of heavy guitars and soaring vocals reminiscent of The Gathering's breakthrough album, Mandylion.
The album release will be followed by live dates through the spring and summer European festival season. Known for touring extensively year after year, Anneke will take The Gentle Storm on the road backed by well known Dutch talents. Arjen, however, will not be part of the live production.
Check out The Gentle Storm's official Facebook page here.
Stay tuned for more updates.
