Ambeon
| Ambeon | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Genres | Progressive metal |
| Years active | 2000-2001 |
| Labels | Transmission Records |
| Associated acts | Ayreon |
| Website | Ambeon.com |
| Past members |
Arjen Anthony Lucassen Astrid van der Veen |
Ambeon is a Dutch progressive metal act, a project consisting mainly of multi-instrumentalist composer Arjen Anthony Lucassen and vocalist Astrid van der Veen. The act's first and only album to date, Fate of a Dreamer, was recorded in 2001, when van der Veen was just 14 years old. Ambeon's atmospheric sound draws from a wide variety of influences, including Celtic, gothic and progressive music. The songs on Fate of a Dreamer are mostly composed of different remixed pieces of songs from Ayreon albums, whereas the lyrics are original, written by van der Veen.
Etymology
The name Ambeon is a play on the words Ambient and Ayreon. As the music - sans vocals - is based on previous Ayreon songs, it could be said this act is Ambient Ayreon. Ambeon can be said to be progressive metal with elements of dark ambient music.
Future
When asked on the "Ask Arjen Anything" channel of communication about the possibility of a new Ambeon album, Lucassen simply stated "Possibly". However, he has said that he would like to release more Ambeon albums:
| “ | I'm not really satisfied with [Fate of a Dreamer]. I think it could have been better because it's a bit cold for me. It's too electronic, a bit too much computers... And I didn't know how well Astrid could sing for I didn't know her and she didn't know me. So one day definitely I'd like to make another one and make a better one. It was a good start, quite OK, but it could have been better because I didn't have that feeling like on Ayreon albums like "Yes, this is right! It feels good and this is what I want!" And I haven't got that at 100 percent on the Ambeon album although it's a good album and has some good songs.[1] | ” |
In 2011, Lucassen said that there'd most likely be no future Ambeon albums as Astrid van der Veen had quit the music industry.
In 2012, Astrid van der Veen released a new record for herself after a long battle with depression and addiction.[2] She is not completely gone from the world of music, but does not seem to intend on performing actively anymore.
Ambeon's debut album Fate of a Dreamer is out of print, but it was rereleased in December 2011, with the addition of a bonus CD containing previously unreleased tracks.[3]
Discography
Albums
- Fate of a Dreamer (2001, Expanded Edition in 2011)
Singles
- "Cold Metal" (2001)
References
- ↑ "Arjen Anthony Lucassen interview". MetalKings. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ↑ http://www.astridvanderveen.com/biography.html
- ↑ "Ambeon news". Ayreon Productions. Retrieved 24 July 2012.