Ayreon To Release 'Transitus' in September Narrated by Doctor Who's Tom Baker

Ayreon have announced a  "sprawling and epic studio album" for September 25th titled Transitus which is going to be available in the following formats:

2CD, 2LP gatefold red transparent vinyl and a 48-page Earbook which includes 5 discs; 2CD album, 1CD instrumental versions, 1CD guide vocal versions, and a DVD with bonus footage which includes a behind the scenes video, a videoclip, trailer and a 5.1 audio and hi-def stereo mix of the album.

The release will also be accompanied by a 28-page graphic novel which will be included in the Earbook as well as the 2LP.

In 2017 Ayreon released The Source, which revisited the ‘Forever/Planet Y’ saga, but now, three years later, they say that it's is time for something completely different…"The year is 1884, these are dark, troubled times, fraught with greed, envy and prejudice…”

Transitus is built around an entirely new story, not connected to the Ayreon universe, although it does have some "subtle links". Now we're in for a "gothic ghost story" set (partly) in the 19th century with elements of horror and the supernatural.

From the mind of Dutch multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen, Transitus is inspired by supernatural movies such as The Others, The Changeling and Ghost along with the music of soundtrack composers John Carpenter (Halloween), Ennio Morricone (Once upon a Time in the West) and Jerry Goldsmith (Omen).

Transitus is also narrated by one of the most iconic and recognizable voices in sci-fi history, Doctor Who's Tom Baker.

Arjen Lucassen says:

“I was looking for a real storyteller with a mature, deep, warm voice. As a kid, I was a huge Doctor Who fan and my favorite doctor was Tom Baker. I couldn’t believe my luck when he agreed to do it! We went to the UK to record him, and it was one of those unforgettable experiences.”

As with every Ayreon album, this one also features Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) as Daniel and Cammie Gilbert (Oceans of Slumber) as Abby.

The all-star cast also features Simone Simons (Epica), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, Johanne James (Threshold), Noa Gruman (Scardust), Marcela Bovio (MaYan), Caroline Westendorp (The Charm the Fury), Paul Manzi (Arena), Michael Mills (Toehider) and Amanda Somerville (Avantasia, Trilium) and many others.