Recently, I've gotten into a *really* good but AFAIK very unknown band, by the name of Ayreon.
I'd recommend anyone who can enjoy metal, especially the lighter stuff, to go buy their new album "The Human Equation" and to check out their website, www.Ayreon.com (http://www.Ayreon.com) for free samples of their work, and various miscalenii (sp?)
Anyone else who knows their work, drop a comment...
:borg:

"Buy"? I'm hardly going to go out and "buy" an album from an unknown artist that may well be rubbish. I think I'd like to borrow a copy first to at least find out if I going to like it before I shell out any of hard-earned cash.

Maybe you could sing some of it for us first?

Pure load of ****e, it is no wonder they are unknown.

Heh, Ayreon is fun, if you're into the scene.

If you like Ayreon, you should definetely check out Star One. Same guy, though it's a tad harder than Ayreon. Great music.

Get some real taste. Go and try:

The Secret Machines - Nowhere Now Here

Faragon: yeah, I have that album too... it's also really good, but the new Ayreon album has just come out, Star One may really be hard to come by...
Harbourboy: of course. That's why I added a link to their website, which contains liberal amounts of samples, amongst others from their new album...
And Sarevok: (I assume you have gone to the site, or are otherwise familiar with their music) the reason it's totally unknown because all the music TV and Radio is all about R&B , rap, *****es and guns... music that doesn't have at least 10% *beeps* in it isn't going to be mainstream, so they don't play it, so it doesn't become mainstream.
They are fairly well known in the metal/progmetal scene. Which isn't too big/mainstream.
:borg:

Ayreon Rules and here in Holland a lot of people know them. Arjan Luccasen (SP?) is a very common face in the dutch "Metal" scene...

I loved his work on Ambeon!

This last album of Ayreon will be one of the best albuns of 2004 without doubt.
I also recommend the previous album "The Universal Migrator part II", it's heavier than the Ayreon norm much like Star One. Speaking of Star One, i was a bit disappointed by Dan Swano's vocals, i don't know if it is a production problem but his vocals are very difficult to listen.

For the tag-lovers expect a progressive metal with a lot of Pink Floyd/Jethro Tull vibe.

I have heard of Ayreon, but only because Dan Swano is guest vocalist in Star One. I generally enjoyed his vocals on the Edge of Sanity albums, but they can be hit or miss sometimes. His work on Crimson I and II were supreme. Can't wait for the new Bloodbath album.

Ayreon Rules and here in Holland a lot of people know them. Arjan Luccasen (SP?) is a very common face in the dutch "Metal" scene... I may be Dutch, but the names Ayreon and Arjan Luccasen don't ring a bell. Perhaps that's because I'm not into metal... ;)