Audio samples from "Elected" EP ? a collaboration between Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) and Tobias Sammet (Avantasia) ? are available at this location.
More information about this EP was previously reported here.
"Elected" EP will be release by InsideOut Music/SPV (April 25 for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, April 28 for the rest of Europe).

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Source:	arjenlucassen.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Ayreon official website have published a press-release about a new Ayreon EP to be released at the end of April 2008 called "Elected."

On January 25, 2008 the rock operas of Arjen Lucassen and Tobias Sammet, respectively Ayreon's "01011001" and Avantasia's "The Scarecrow," were released simultaneously. The music press, always eager for a story, called this event the "Clash of the Titans," gleefully portraying the two musicians as bitter rivals and urging each to comment on the other in countless interviews. There was much speculation about which album would be more successful, but upon release both albums immediately charted in several countries around the world. When asked about the so-called rivalry, Arjen explains: "I'd not yet even heard Tobias's album, but when I found out he'd managed to get my all-time favourite artist Alice Cooper to guest on The Scarecrow, I totally freaked out and sent a hate-mail to Tobias's MySpace. Fortunately, he never received it."

Coincidentally however, Tobias, who was fed up with having to talk about Arjen in interviews, grudgingly decided it was time to get acquainted. He emailed Arjen, and in the stream of email and insults that followed "it turned out that Tobias hated me just as much for having got Bruce Dickinson to guest on an Ayreon album, haha!" Arjen explains. Despite their mutual hatred, the two musicians eventually hatched a plan to put some fuel on the fire created by the press by doing the unthinkable: recording a song together. The result is a mind-blowing over-the-top cover version of Elected, the original version of which was a big hit for Alice Cooper back in 1973.

The song "Elected" will be featured on a 4-track EP released by Inside Out Music/SPV (release dates: 25 April for Germany/Austria/Switzerland; 28 April for Europe). The 3 other tracks featured on the EP are an acoustic live radio session of the "01011001" track "E=mc2" with Marjan Welman on vocals, "Ride the Comet" taken from the album "01011001," and a touching piano-only version of "The Human Equation" track "Day Six: Childhood" featuring Joost van den Broek and Marjan Welman.

The cover can be viewed here.

In other news. The latest Ayreon album "01011001" will be released on vinyl.

As reported in the Arjen Lucassen newsletter #82, the new Ayreon album "0011001" is to be released on vinyl. It will be a triple-album set on clear vinyl. However, the mid-March release date has been postponed. The new (but still tentative!) release dates are as follows: Germany, Austria, Switzerland: 11 April; Europe: 14 April; USA: 22 April.

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

A four minute preview of the upcoming Ayreon album called 01011001 has been posted on Arjen A. Lucassen's MySpace and features a glimpse into the studio and previews of the songs.

The preview, created by D'iMages, also features all singers (like Jonas Renkse - Katatonia, Hansi Kursch - Blind Guardian, Floor Jansen - After Forever, Jorn Lande, Anneke van Giersbergen, Tom Englund - Evergrey, Daniel Gildenlow - Pain Of Salvation) and instrumentalists and album art.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Ayreon's official web site (here) is currently premiering "Beneath The Waves", a stunning CGI film produced by Simon van Vegten. The film was made to accompany the song of the same name from the upcoming Ayreon album, "01011001", which is scheduled for release on January 28 via InsideOut Music. The "Beneath The Waves" movie with 5.1 mix will be included as one of many bonus DVD features on "01011001".

"01011001"will be available in three editions:

- a regular two-CD edition with a 28 page booklet.
- a special edition: a box containing the regular 2CD edition and a bonus DVD.
- a deluxe limited edition, a DVD size fold-out case with embossed silver lettering on the slipcase. This edition contains the 2 CDs and a bonus DVD plus a 36 page booklet with additional artwork.

The bonus DVD contains:
- Behind the Scenes - Making of 01011001
- Beneath the Waves - CGI Movie (5.1/2.0)
- Guide Demos (audio) - feat. Arjen on vocals
- Ed Warby's Session - Recording drums
- Bloopers (audio)

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Here is the official teaser trailer for the upcoming Ayreon release "01011001". Featuring vocalists from Katatonia, Evergrey, Pain Of Salvation, Magnum, Blind Guardian, Gotthard, Dial, Gathering, Epica, King's X, After Forever, Jorn Lande and more.

"01011001" release dates:
- January 23rd: Asia
- January 25th: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
- January 28th: Europe
- January 29th: U.S and Canada

UPDATED on 2 Dec. (thanks to White Winter Sun):

A new song from the upcoming album has been put online. Click here to check it out. The song is called "The Fifth Extinction" and is the same track that was put online as a demo last July (then without the vocals). Check the blog about the demo here.

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Source:	vids.myspace.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

The full tracklist for the new Ayreon double disc release "01011001" has been announced. It is as follows:

CD1 - Y:

01. Age Of Shadows (incl. "We Are Forever')
02. Comatose
03. Liquid Eternity
04. Connect The Dots
05. Beneath The Waves
(a) Beneath The Waves
(b) Face The Facts
(c) But A Memory...
(d) World Without Walls
(e) Reality Bleeds
06. Newborn Race
(a) The Incentive
(b) The Vision
(c) The Procedure
(d) Another Life
(e) Newborn Race
(f) The Conclusion
07. Ride The Comet
08. Web Of Lies

Disc 2 - Earth:

01. The Fifth Extinction
(a) Glimmer of Hope
(b) World of Tomorrow Dreams
(c) Collision Course
(d) From the Ashes
(e) Glimmer of Hope (reprise)
02. Waking Dreams
03. The Truth Is In Here
04. Unnatural Selection
05. River of Time
06. E=MC2
07. The Sixth Extinction
(a) Echoes On The Wind
(b) Radioactive Grave
(c) 2085
(d) To The Planet Of Red
(e) Spirit On The Wind
(f) Complete The Circle

The album is now finished and will be in stores end of January 2008. More information (including soundclips, complete list of musicians, different release dates) is available at this location.

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

The following message was posted on Ayreon's official website:

"We're now able to reveal the title for the new Ayreon album due out in January 2008. It is called "01011001". You can check all official information such as sound clips and future downloads by visiting the special 01011001 page at this location."

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

According to the Ayreon's Official Website, you can find here the list of the new "guest singers" of the upcoming album? No doubt that it will be one of the most incredible line-up ever seen.

Arjen Lucassen, has recently posted new audio samples of the next three guest singers who will appear upcoming album:

Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain Of Salvation) Sample

Wudstik (from a Dutch hip hop band) Sample

Marjan Welman (Elister) Sample

The names of the other vocalist already confirmed are: Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Steve Lee (Gotthard), Bob Catley (Magnum), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering), Jonas P. Renske (Katatonia), Jorn Lande (Jorn Lande), Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Ty Tabor (King's X), Magali Luyten (Virus IV), Simone Simons (Epica), Liselotte Hegt (Dial), Phideaux Xavier and Floor Jansen (After Forever).

More new names should be posted soon!

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

A 10 minutes demo was posted on Ayreon's official MySpace page here, this piece will appear on the next album of the group. The vocal parts were not recorded yet.

Three vocalists are now confirmed for the new, as of yet untitled, Ayreon album: Magali Luyten (Virus IV and Beautiful Sin) Simone Simons (Epica) and Ty Tabor (King's X).

To be complete the following message was posted on Ayreon's official website:
"Members of the messageboard spent nearly a year already organizing a fan-meet for Ayreon (Arjen Lucassen) fans. What started out as an informal get-together for forumers at a zoo, turned into a little bit of an event where 250 people can attend. It takes place September 15th, 2007 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It starts 13:00 and ends aproximately 19:00.

Among the highlights of the day are a cover band called Ayreonotes, who will play a set of Arjen Lucassen tracks, an exclusive sneak preview of the new Ayreon album, hanging out with fans from around the world and perhaps even some special guests.

You can now order tickets via the website here - remember, tickets are limited! For more information please check this thread on the messageboard - relevant information starts at page 36. For questions please contact: fanmeet@live.nl and use 'fanmeet' as topic."

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

The following message was posted on Ayeron's official website:

"There were some good guesses as to who the vocalist was on the sound sample that we put up a while ago (here). A few even got it right: the first vocalist who will star on the new Ayreon is Magali Luyten (Virus IV and Beautiful Sin). You can check myspace pages here:

Magali Luyten
Virus IV
Beautiful Sin

Twelve vocalists have been confirmed so far, with a number of vocalists still to be added over the next few weeks.

A few more recording dates have been set, so keep tuned".

Also you can see Magali Luyten's picture here.

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

The following message was posted on Ayreon's official website:

"The very first vocalist for the seventh Ayreon album was recorded in the Electric Castle Studio last week. We're not revealing the name of the vocalist just yet, but you can listen to a sample of the voice (without instruments) here.

During the time leading up to the official announcement of each of the vocalists participating on the new Ayreon album, we'll be giving acapella previews of every vocalist. Currently 12 vocalists have been confirmed, and a few more will be added.

Discuss the sample, and all things Ayreon, on our messageboard or on Arjen's official MySpace site".

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

An new interview with Arjen Lucassen has been posted on the official Ayreon website. Lucassen mainly talks about what happened to him the past few months, his departure from Stream Of Passion and his work on the upcoming Ayreon album.
A couple of relevant excerpts follow, the entire interview can be found here:

* First off, a lot has happened in the past few months, we all are curious to know how you are doing.

- I'm sad to say that I've been through a personal hell the last couple of months. I worked non-stop for many years and due to living on my own after the divorce with Jolanda, I have had a new (at first completely different) lifestyle. It has taken its toll, I guess.

On top of everything else, I lost my sense of taste and smell (Anosmia) two months ago and sunk into a deep depression. With medical help and, most of all, the help of my closest friends (including Jolanda) I'm slowly climbing out of the black hole now. Last week I kicked my own butt back into the studio and fortunately the inspiration is slowly beginning to flow again.

* What are your plans concerning Stream of Passion at this moment?

- Because I will be fully concentrating on the new Ayreon for at least the next year, I have no more time for SoP, so I quit the band. It would be unfair to have them wait until I'm ready, especially now things are going so well for SoP.

* Does this mean the end of Stream of Passion?

- Fortunately not, the band will continue without me. They will write their own songs and I'm sure there's enough talent in the band to make a great new album and undertake successful tours without me pulling the strings.

* Now onto the new Ayreon:

When did you actually start recording?

- Basically I started recording a few months ago but due to my depression and the SoP tour I hadn't been in the studio until a week ago.

* Can you give us a tiny hint of what we can expect musically?

- Because of my frame of mind the material so far is quite dark. There are some pretty heavy passages and the soft parts are quite mysterious. Though, to even it out, I will probably record some folky and happier stuff in the coming months when I feel better. I do think I will succeed in having it sound different from my previous albums again. I'm also thinking of releasing a single album this time, and using the remaining tracks as bonustracks for those who are interested. As some know, I hate to repeat myself and do the expected! Don't know if I will succeed though, things often turned out differently than the way I planned them...

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Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Ayreon the brainchild of Dutch guitarist Arjen Lucassen, has posted the following message on its official web site:

Finally, we are able to bring you some news about Arjen's next recording project. At the end of September 2006, Arjen's new studio was finished and ready to use. The very next day, Arjen went in with his trusted little tape recorder, and papers with dozens of song ideas that he'd been working on for the past year.

He has been in his studio nearly every day (and night) since then, getting the ideas translated into songs. The musical ideas are so extremely varied that only one project could possibly hold them all: Ayreon.

Arjen has already been in contact with some very interesting and talented people to help create a new dimension of the Ayreon Universe. Of course, we'll keep you informed on Arjen's progress over the next months!

Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Ayreon newsletter arrived today earlier with some great news.

Firstly. New Ayreon single! The third single taken from the Ayreon album 'The Human Equation' will be released June 16th, 2005. It is called 'Come Back to Me', and is a slightly extended and newly mixed version of the song 'Day 7: Hope'. Other tracks include: 'August Fire' featuring Mostly Autumn's Heather Findlay; 'When I'm 64', a Beatles cover song; and 'Back 2 Me', a special remix. A video clip was shot during the summer of 2004 and is included on the single together with a 'making of' video. For more information and artwork, visit the site.

Secondly. It's been quiet for a while now... Consider it the calm before the storm, because the last few months have been extremely hectic in the Electric Castle. Arjen has been hard at work; inside his studio recording a new album, and outside his studio doing photoshoots and videoshoots, all for his latest musical endeavour: a band! The newsletter says that they have to keep us in suspense a little while longer before they can reveal details of this exciting new development.

Thirdly. Shadow Gallery's Gary Wehrkamp and Mike Baker have been good friends with Arjen for years now. Gary and Mike performed on various Arjen Lucassen projects and when Shadow Gallery began work on their new album, they asked for Arjen to perform a solo on one of their songs. He was only too happy and thrilled to play on the album called 'Room V' to be released at the end of May, 2005 through InsideOut. Arjen also sang and played guitar on a very interesting bonus track featured on the special edition of Room V. For more information on this album please check: http://www.shadowgallery.com

And lastly. For all those who would like to get their hands on the ProgAid project single, it is now available for ordering. Arjen contributed two guitar solos to this project that has many artists from the prog community participating to raise money for the Asian Tsunami Relief Fund. Arjen's solo spots are featured in the 'Definitive Mix'. More information on the project at http://www.ProgAID.com

Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon

Arjen Lucassen had posts 2 songs from the upcoming bonus disc of the Final Experiment 10 years anniversary. You can download them at http://www.ayreon.com/anniversary/ .

Source:	ayreon.com
Band profile:	Ayreon