Galactic News

Tuesday May 21, 2002
STAR ONE: Space Metal Released

Today Rock Composer Arjen Lucassen released his latest album entitled STAR ONE: Space Metal. There are many innovative songs on this album, but one song, "Master Of Darkness", is about the original Star Wars trilogy. Prepare your senses for an incredible musical journey beyond the stars, as one of hard music's most prolific composers Arjen Anthony Lucassen primes his latest endeavor STAR ONE for May 21st release via InsideOut Music America. Entitled Space Metal, the album emulates some of Arjen's favorite science fiction films, including Star Wars, Star Trek IV, Dune, Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Outland, Stargate, Enemy Mine, Blake's 7, and Dark Star.

Best known for his dramatic, conceptual rock operas with his main project AYREON, Arjen felt it was time to strip the facets down and create something a little more adventurous. "When I make an AYREON album, it's got to have a multitude of styles in it, which then becomes its own limitation, because sometimes I feel like doing an album utilizing just one style; therefore, I cannot call this 'AYREON'," explains Lucassen.  "I wanted to make this album sound more like a band, like a live product - more honest, no samples, no computers, just listening to a band play. After doing the tranquil AMBEON project (which I made with the new ProTools program - sitting in front of a
computer for 6 ˝ months), I really felt like letting off some steam and creating something simpler and really heavy."

Although AYREON releases consist of complex storylines enveloped in cosmic odyssey, STAR ONE's songs are designed to act as a vehicle that takes the listener on a journey through Arjen's mind and memory - a place where they relive those great science fiction films that made such an impact on him. Lucassen elaborates: "I'm a sci-fi freak.  I've been into it since I first saw Star Trek in the 60s.  Seeing a weird guy with pointy ears, standing on a blue planet with a red sky changed everything for me.  I'm also very interested in the 'science' aspect of science fiction, especially Stephen
Hawking's theories.  I'm not really interested in the real world.  I don't really like putting messages into the music.  There's enough misery in the world.  If you listen to music, it SHOULD be an escape tool.  When I read the newspaper or watch the news, it makes me really unhappy.  I can't change it, so I don't feel a part of it…maybe I'm an alien?"

Tracklisting includes:

"High Moon": Outland
"Songs of the Ocean": Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home
"Master of Darkness": 1st Star Wars Trilogy
"Eye of Ra": Stargate
"Sandrider": Dune
"Intergalactic Space Crusaders": Blakes 7
"Perfect Survivor":  Alien
"Starchild":  2001, A Space Odyssey
"Spaced Out": Dark Star
"Inseperable Enemies": Enemy Mine

REAL AUDIO soundclips are available here!

Known for surrounding himself with some of the most resourceful names in hard rock (having worked on AYREON albums with the likes of IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson, former MARILLION vocalist FISH, THE GATHERING's Anneke van Giersbergen, HELLOWEEN's Andi Deris, STRATOVARIUS' Timo Kotipelto, etc.), Space Metal features the vocal talents of Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X), Dan Swanö (ex-EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE, etc.), Damian Wilson (ex-THRESHOLD), Floor Jansen (AFTER FOREVER), and the stellar musicianship accompaniment of Jens Johannson (STRATOVARIUS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-DIO), Erik Norlander, Ed Warby, and Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY).  A special limited-edition 2-CD version of Space Metal also features HAWKWIND vocalist Dave Brock on a Hawkwind Medley, additional bonus tracks & alternate versions, as well as a cover version of "Space Oddity".

Space Metal has already been named 'CD Of The Month' in 2 of Europe's most prestigious metal-friendly publications - Rock Hard & Aardschock Magazines. The outstanding early interest has caused the album to ship Gold in Germany! Like AYREON, it is sure to become a beacon in the vast universe of rock titles.  With its stellar musicianship, visionary production and simple yet far-reaching concept, STAR ONE's Space Metal shines bright as a giant sun in the galaxy of rock.

For more information, visit www.ayreon.com and or www.insideoutmusic.com. Special thanks to Mark Morton for sending us this information!