Ayreon

Ayreon
Arjen Anthony Lucassen, the main creative force behind Ayreon
Background information
Origin	Waalwijk, North Brabant, Netherlands
Genres	Progressive rock progressive metal power metal experimental rock
Years active	1995–2008, 2012–present
Labels	Transmission, InsideOut, Century Media, SPV GmbH, Mascot Label Group
Associated acts	Ambeon, Finch, Guilt Machine, Star One, many others
Website	http://www.ayreon.com
Members	Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Past members	Guest performers

Ayreon ⁱ/ˈɛriən/ is a musical project by Dutch songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist musician and record producer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Ayreon's music is described as progressive rock, progressive metal and power metal sometimes combined with genres such as folk, electronica, experimental and classical music. The majority of Ayreon's albums are dubbed "rock operas" (or "metal operas") because the albums contain complex storylines featuring a host of characters, usually with each one being represented by a unique vocalist.

Ayreon's music is characterized by the use of traditional instruments in rock music (guitars, bass guitar, drums, analogue synthesizers, electric organs) mixed with instruments more native to folk and classical music (e.g. mandolins, violins, violas, celli, flutes, sitars and didgeridoo). Lucassen writes the music and the lyrics, sings and plays most of the instruments on all of the Ayreon albums, alongside many guest musicians. His most regular collaborator is drummer Ed Warby. In addition, flute player Jeroen Goossens has featured on every Ayreon-release since 2004's "The Human Equation".