“I'm sad to say that I've been through a personal hell the last couple of months”, zegt Lucassen. “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.” Stream Of Passion Ayreon
Arjen Anthony Lucassen heeft een pittige tijd achter de rug en heeft enkele belangrijke beslissingen genomen. Dat blijkt uit een interview op zijn officiële website. In het kort gaat het om het volgende:
“Because I will be fully concentrating on the new Ayreon for at least the next year, I have no more time for Stream Of Passion, 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 Stream Of Passion.” Hoewel Lucassen de grootste rol binnen de band had betekent dit echter niet dat de band nu uit elkaar ligt. “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."
"Basically I started recording a few months ago but due to my depression and the Stream Of Passion tour I hadn't been in the studio until a week ago. 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…"
"I do have a wish list of singers. But I will only decide on the guest musicians once the music is finished so I have a better view on what kind of voices I will need. Of course Ed (Warby) will drum and as usual I will play most instruments myself. Singers are of course welcome to send me stuff, but I get so many recordings that I can't guarantee a reply."
Het volledige interview is hier te lezen.
Lees ook:Live passie Stream Of Passion
Lees ook:De waslijst van Ayreon
Lees ook:Nieuwe Dimmu Borgir in zijn geheel te streamen
Lees ook:Nasum merchandise te koop
Lees ook:Anneke spreekt