Arjen Anthony Lucassen – Songs No One Will Hear (2025)
A Conceptual Triumph from One of Progressive Rock’s Most Visionary Storytellers
Hi, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine, and this time I’m diving into an album that has absolutely floored me. Songs No One Will Hear, the new concept epic by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, is not only one of the most ambitious releases of 2025—it’s already shaping up to be one of my albums of the year.
Before getting into the details of this remarkable new record, it’s worth pausing to look at the artist behind it.
A Quick Background: Who Is Arjen Anthony Lucassen?
If you’re a fan of progressive rock or metal, you’ll already know Arjen as the mastermind behind the Ayreon universe—a sprawling, multi-album science-fiction saga that blends prog, metal, classical, folk, electronics, and cinematic storytelling in ways few others have ever attempted.
Across projects like Ayreon, Star One, The Gentle Storm, Ambeon, and Stream of Passion, Arjen has earned a reputation as:
A fearlessly imaginative composer
A multi-instrumentalist who plays guitars, bass, keyboards, and more
A studio perfectionist
A curator of world-class talent, often assembling huge casts of guest musicians and vocalists
However, Songs No One Will Hear is different. It’s deeply personal, remarkably focused, and one of the most emotionally rich projects Arjen has ever created.
The Packaging & Pressing
This review is based on the Inside Out double-vinyl edition, and as I always say—if it’s on Inside Out, the pressings will be excellent. Once again, they haven’t let me down:
Heavyweight gatefold sleeve
Poly-lined inner sleeves (thank you!)
Beautiful artwork that fits the apocalyptic concept
Vinyl pressing with clarity and punch equal to many high-end CDs
You can feel the love and care that’s gone into the physical product. Multi-format man approved!
The Concept: The End of the World – Told Through Songs No One Will Hear
This is a concept album in the truest sense. A comet is on a direct collision course with Earth. Humanity has a few months left. And woven throughout the album is a radio DJ—initially cheesy and cliché, but intentionally so—who becomes gradually more reflective, sombre, and almost philosophical as the narrative unfolds.
What makes the concept so powerful is how starkly it mirrors our own world:
Conspiracy theorists insisting the comet is fake
Media spin and misinformation
People clinging to hope or hedonism
Last moments of intimacy and reflection
A growing awareness of fragility and humanity
It’s clever, it’s poignant, and it’s full of dark humour—until it isn’t.
The Music: Cinematic, Heavy, Emotional, and Utterly Immersive
Musically, this album is vintage Arjen—but also something new.
Production
The production is astonishing. I had been listening to another album at high volume beforehand, enjoying some active listening. Then I dropped the needle on this—and it absolutely blew the room apart. The dynamics, the depth, the detail… immaculate.
Arjen Himself
Arjen handles:
Lead vocals
Guitars
Bass
Keyboards
A huge amount of the arrangement and sonic world-building
He is, as always, a one-man orchestra of creativity.
A Standout Performer: Irene Jansen
I must stop and talk about Irene Jansen. Her vocals are simply sensational—passionate, powerful, emotional, and perfectly married to this story. Every time she enters a track, the emotional temperature rises.
Other Musical Highlights
“Universes of the Plans” – breathtaking violin by Ben Matthot, soaring melodies, and a stunning sense of scale.
“Shagathon” – musically brilliant and laced with Arjen’s cheeky humour, with female backing vocals reminiscent of The Tubes.
Guitar/violin battles that evoke classic 70s prog but with modern muscle.
Huge metal riffs crashing in and out of cinematic passages.
A side-long epic, filled with twists, melancholy, hope, and explosive finality.
This long-form piece is masterful storytelling—not prog for the sake of showing off, but prog that serves the narrative.
The Bonus Tracks
And then… the bonus tracks. Two are particularly inspired:
“Listen to Sabbath”
A witty, utterly relatable ode to finding comfort in music as the world collapses. One lyric says it all:
“Headphones on, locked in my room, listen to Sabbath.”
Who among us wouldn’t do the same?
“Die Young” (Black Sabbath cover)
Yes—the Dio-era classic from Heaven and Hell.
But slowed down.
Rearranged.
Reimagined.
Not a ballad, but deeply atmospheric and haunting.
It works far better than it has any right to. A beautiful tribute to one of metal’s finest eras.
Conclusion: A Top Album of 2025 – Without Question
Songs No One Will Hear is:
One of Arjen’s best works
One of the best concept albums of recent years
A showcase of impeccable musicianship
A heartfelt, moving, funny, tragic, cinematic journey
A masterclass in vinyl production
This will be very high on my 2025 year-end list.
Inside Out have done a superb job. Arjen has created a modern progressive rock masterpiece. And emotionally, it stays with you long after the final acoustic guitar fades out.
Music is the healer and the doctor—and this album proves it.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
