Dutch hard rock innovator Arjen Lucassen has been renowned for thought provoking, groundbreaking and spiritually intriguing rock opera epics for nearly a decade through his immense undertakings with Ayreon. Into the Electric Castle is a re-release of Ayreon’s third album, and deals with eight stereotypical characters from different eras enduring experiments conducted by an alien race. The personalities are blown out of proportion and tongue-in-cheek, though the music itself is taken very seriously.
This reissue is over a hundred minutes of eclectically cinematic soundscapes, punctuated by bouts of genius. Featuring Damian Wilson (ex-Threshold), Clive Nolan (Arena) and Fish (Marillion), it will appeal to both fans of Arjen’s projects, as well as the Prog Rock audience in general. A bonus multimedia track is included containing an interview with Lucassen.