Ayreon ({{Audio|Pronunciation-Ayreon.ogg|pronunciation) is a project by Netherlands|Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.
Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from Heavy metal (Music)|heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like Folk music|folk, European classical music|classical and electronica to form what some call a completely new style of music. The majority of Ayreon's albums are dubbed Rock opera|"rock operas" due to the fact that the albums contain complex storylines featuring a host of characters, each represented by a unique vocalist.
Ayreon's music is characterized by the use of traditional instruments in rock music (guitars, bass guitar, drum kit|drums, synthesizers, electronic organ|electric organs) mixed with instruments more native to folk and classical music (i.e. mandolins, violins, violas, cello|celli, flutes, sitars and didgeridoo). Lucassen writes the music and the lyrics, sings and plays instruments on all of the Ayreon albums, alongside many guest musicians. Arjen has said he will keep making Ayreon music until the day he loses love for music or until the day he dies.<ref>[http://www.arjenlucassen.com/ayreon/ay_interview_14.html Ask Arjen]</ref>
History
The first Ayreon CD, released in 1995 in music|1995, is ''The Final Experiment'', with a mixture of science fiction and medieval t... read all
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