Arjen Lucasson -Songs No One Will Hear PV077

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ARJEN ANTHONY LUCASSEN - 'SONGS NO ONE WILL HEAR'

The Hague's Arjen Anthony Lucassen is no stranger to the modern progressive rock scene. Though he found his passion for music at a young age through a love of bands that are not generally considered progressive such as The Beatles, Alice Cooper and David Bowie, as he matured musically he began to expand his genre pallate and his increasingly intricate musical ideas to progressive rock territory.

And what an expansion it has been.

Lucassen has, in his career, given us the likes of power prog conglomerates Areyon and Star ,One as well as the heavy progosity of Guilt Machine. His particular strength lies in the "concept album".... he is exceedingly adpet at writing what I would consider "mini prog operas" that tell a story from the front to the back of the record. And, while the somewhat theatrical nature of his craft can be off-putting for some, for those of us that DO love a story-telling bent to our prog fare, Lucassen's output is pure GOLD.

And in 2025, Lucassen is back with another concept record which asks, in essense: "How would you live on a planet that knows it's destruction is imminent?" Set on Earth at a time when humanity has been informed that a planet-ending asteroid/metiorite (whatever you want to call it... as though it would really matter) will be obiliterating civilization in 5-month's time, the record explores all manner of what emotions humankind would be feeling... from outright panic and the ensuing despair at the announcement, to a careless "let's everyone shag our brains out" free-for-all, to a cult-like madness that might ensue when a leader insists to his followers that they all travel together.... directly to the asterid's impact site. It's a fun, poignant, dark, funny and sad romp through a battlefield of human feeling, narrated by a character named Mike Mills who has created an "End of the World Show" to guide the listener throught to the bitter end. A fascinating idea, to be sure.

So... join me, won't you? Let us watch as the clock ticks down, attened an all-star shaggathon, ride Dr. Slumber's Blue Bus, and carry through to the bitter finale with the "End of the World Show" as we traipse through Lucassen's latest progressive concept effort.

'End of the World Show' - the title says it all, as we begin with an introduction to Mike Mills and his radio show, which aims to keep people informed as the world faces its inevitable demise.

'The Clock Ticks Down' - The first "song proper" on the record is a hard rock prog feast that establishes the state of humankind upon hearing the news of the world's unfathomable end. As with most of this record, the music, while very good, is not really the focus here; this is an album where the focus truly lies on the story iteslf. The lyrics clearly establish the true human feelings we would all be going through; panic, denial, worry, fear, mistrust, a misplaced resolve from the powers that be to "do something about it" when there is nothing to be done.... the song is great at conveying ALL of those emotions lyrically; surrounded by progressive bombast that never really relents.

'Goddamn Conspiracy' - this track, which hilights some supremely excellent flute work by Jeroen Goossens, is the anthem of the "deniers"; the groups of people who would state that the asteroid isn't real... nothing is going to happen.... this entire disaster is a made up farce meant to establish control over people. The counterpoint, made clearly in the narration, is the huge ball of fire in the sky that can clearly be seen. an interesting juxtaposition, made amongst some of the heaviest and best prog rock (musically speaking) on the record.

'The Universe Has Other Plans' - a marvelous series of musical snapshots, fronted by several simply superb violin solos (courtesy of Ben Mathot) played over pensive, thoughtful verses and choruses, which spotlight a menagerie of people who seemingly had their lives all figured out, their futures laid out before them.... only to realize that the universe has other plans... for all of them. A dark and brooding piece, this....and the mood of the music fits the despair and hopelessness perfectly. One of the better tracks on the record, in my opinion.

'Shaggathon' - humor is indeed an emotion that people would dearly attempt to use to escape an inevitable death, and it is handled here with the narrator's invitation to join him in an end of the world shaggathon. The music is upbeat/swing/jazz-style and contemplates the fact that a shaggathon makes perfect sense; letting your inhibitions go.... running wild and just "going for it." It's a funny but ridculous premise (or is it?) but it smartly doesn't overstay its welcome.... it's just short enough to break the tension for a bit and inject some humorous light into the dark.

'We'll Never Know' - we return to the dark brood in a very ponderous and Floydian-like fashion. Musical brilliance is on display here as we get to one of the most heart-breaking stuations that anyone would face.... the realization that some children won't be born, won't grow up, and we will never know who or what they would have grown into. Again, the music sets the tone wonderfully here; it is emotional and anthemic, and will crush your soul with the weight of those helpless thoughts that parents-to-be would doubtless be experiencing. Utterly brilliant.

'Dr. Slumber's Blue Bus' - an interesting turn here, as we are introduced to the "cult-like" followings that would in all likelihood be occuring in a scenario such as this. In this case, it's a man who is taking a bus (and his followers) to "Sanctuary Island".... the supposed direct impact spot for the asteroid. Musically, there is nothing all that new, different or exceptional here, but the story of a bus that would carry people directly TO their death; a "front seat ticket to the end of the world"; is fascinatingly told,with excellent vocal harmonies, to boot.

'Just Not Today' - the last vestige of hope lies in this balladesque, Kansas-influenced piece that insists that, while the end might be near and inevitable.... we're STILL HERE TODAY.... we are NOT DYING TODAY. It is a sad but determined plea to the world to try to get out and live what is left of life while you can. Really heartfelt and beautifully played....and if you're invested in the story.... this track will tug at your heartstrings. The last breath of life before the end.

'Our Final Song' - the chaos has arrived, as has the final track on the album.... the masterpiece 14:34 epic conclusion, where the people have begun to panic, and the astroid is now filling the sky with its red fire as it streaks toward Earth. This track is stunningly good... Lucassen at his prog best. With its "progressive rock epic" length, it hearkens and pays homage to a legion of progressive sub-genres: operatic-theatre style prog, neo-prog, and classic prog are all represented. Varied instrumentation and sonic twists and turns aplenty abound and keep you engaged and interested in how the tragedy will conclude. You can FEEL the asteroid getting closer; the frenzy of humanity's despair getting worse as death careens toward the planet. It's all here.... the entire emotional spectrum: regret; anger; acceptance; all gloriously (and terribly) played out through masterful songcraft from Lucassen and company; the songmaster "writing songs that no one will hear" as humanity ends. The weight of "THE END" works extremely well here.... the narration, the lyrics, the vocal performances, the music that carries all of this.... is extraordinaly effective at setting the moods and feelings that Lucassen was striving for. And the final sounds of the throngs of people suffering as their existence burns to ash will haunt you long after the album has ended.

Arjen Anthony Lucassen has done it once again. As he has accomplished time and again in his storied career, Lucassen has gifted to the prog rock masses another gem of a concept record, one in which he has nailed the weight and seriousness of the tough subject-matter he has chosen to address. His construction of the album has crafted a world for the listener in which you really can lose yourself in the mood and emotion of it all. There is sadness... pain.... acceptance of an eventuality.... the accompanying inevitable craziness and conspiracy.... all wrapped into one grandiose progressive package. Expertly played and produced, and with his usual arsenal of extremely talented musicians to help him along.... there is very little not to love here. I'd highly recommed this album, especially for fans of theme-based, theatre-style progressive rock with both classic and neo-progressive musical sensibilities.

For more information, visit https://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/

Written By Christopher M. Clark