Star One
| Star One | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Genres | Space rock Progressive metal |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | InsideOut Music |
| Associated acts | Ayreon |
| Website | starone.com |
| Members | |
| Arjen Anthony Lucassen Ed Warby Joost van den Broek Peter Vink Russell Allen Damian Wilson Dan Swanö Floor Jansen |
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Star One is a Dutch progressive metal supergroup/side-project of Arjen Anthony Lucassen of Ayreon fame. Unlike Ayreon, the band did not follow one storyline; instead, each song was a different story with a sci-fi concept, most of the tracks based on existing movies and series.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Origins and first album: 2002-2003
Star One was born out of the remnants of an abandoned collaboration between Lucassen and Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson. Dickinson proposed the idea and the two exchanged ideas and put together four songs, Lucassen writing the music and Dickinson writing the lyrics. The project was abandoned however after Lucassen mentioned the project on the internet and Dickinson's manager called off negotiations. Instead of completely abandoning the material that had already been produced, Lucassen decided to put his own lyrics to the music and created Star One.[1]
When asked on the "Ask Arjen Anything" channel of communication if there would be another Star One album, Lucassen simply stated "Probably". However, he has since stated that he does not want to make another Star One album:
"Space Metal was really magic. I am afraid that I will fail to capture the same atmosphere and actually ruin it! I am actually against sequels; you cannot repeat the same atmosphere and feeling like you had with the first album."[2]
[edit] Second album: (2009-present)
In an interview conducted by Ragnarok Radio in October 2009 Arjen stated Star One is "definitely not dead."[3]
In October 2009 in another interview, with Lebmetal.com, Arjen said he was working on what might become another Star One album: "In the meantime I will be working on a new, heavier album. Possible a new Star One album, but then again things never work out the way I plan them",[4] and in a November 2009 interview with Lagrossradio.com, Arjen stated that he was definitely working on a new Star One album and that he had already written and recorded a song.[5]
In March 2010, a "demo listening party" was held where several members of the arjenlucassen.com messageboard were allowed to listen to the first (only instrumental) demos for the new Star One album.[6] In August of the same year, Arjen revealed the title of this second album, Victims of the Modern Age, and announced that it was ready.[7] The album was released in October 2010.
[edit] Music
The music of Star One is heavier than that of Lucassen's progressive rock/metal opera project Ayreon, drawing influences from seventies space rock and blending them with modern progressive metal. Lucassen explained that the songwriting was different in that Star One songs are built on guitar riffs whereas Ayreon songs stem primarily off chord arrangements. However, similarities still exist mainly in the song arrangements, the multi-layered vocals, and the use of synthesizers and Hammond organs as part of the main instrumentation.
[edit] Members
[edit] Current members
- Arjen Anthony Lucassen - guitars, keyboards, hammond organ (2002-present)
- Ed Warby (Gorefest) - drums (2002-present)
- Joost van den Broek (After Forever) - keyboards (2002-present)
- Peter Vink - Bass (2002-present)
- Russell Allen (Symphony X) - vocals (2002-present)
- Damian Wilson - vocals (2002-present)
- Dan Swanö (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale) - vocals (2002-present)
- Floor Jansen (After Forever, ReVamp) - vocals (2002-present)
[edit] Live members
(The band toured in 2003 only. The only member of the studio line-up who wasn't present was Dan Swanö.
- Robert Soeterboek - Vocals (Dan Swanö vocal parts)
- Irene Jansen - Vocals (only sang her sister's backing vocals part along her)
- Ewa Albering (a.k.a. Ewa Smarzyńska) - Flute
[edit] Guest musicians
- Jens Johansson (Stratovarius) - keyboards
- Erik Norlander (Rocket Scientists) - keyboards
- Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery) - guitar
- Robert Soeterboek (Cotton Soeterboek Band) - backing vocals
- Dave Brock (Hawkwind) - lead and backing vocals ("Hawkwind Medley" only)
- Tony Martin - vocals
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- Space Metal (2002)
- Victims of the Modern Age (2010)
[edit] Live albums
- Live on Earth (2003)
[edit] References
- ^ "Ragnarök Radio Interview Part Two". http://www.ragnarokradio.co.uk/2008/05/episode-19-into-the-electric-castle.html. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=414
- ^ "Ragnarök Radio Interview with Arjen Lucassen and Lori Linstruth". http://www.ragnarokradio.co.uk/2009/10/episode-43-lori-linstruth-and-arjen-lucassen-of-guilt-machine.html. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ "Interview with Arjen Lucassen Ayeron". http://www.lebmetal.com/2009/10/22/interview-with-arjen-lucassen/.
- ^ "[INTERVIEW Arjen Lucassen, créateur de Guilt Machine"]. http://www.lagrosseradio.com/blogs/blog_post.php?id=2238. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
- ^ "Star One Demo listening party @ ArjenLucassen.com Messageboard". http://www.arjenlucassen.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=4343. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
- ^ "Arjen Lucassen reveals new Star One album title and cover @ Arjen Lucassen official Youtube channel". http://www.youtube.com/user/ArjenALucassen#p/u/0/IvvPI6Mh-xw. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
[edit] External links
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