Arjen A. Lucassen's Ayreon

Martijn Balsters
Date: 06-02-2000

The second person I interviewed was Ian Parry. He and Arjen go back a long way, as Ian sang with the old Vengeance before they split up. He was present at "The Final Experiment" and will be making his second appearance on the upcoming Ayreon albums this year. Besides that, Ian had his own Consortium Project lately, which shows some similarities in the way of working with Ayreon.

Profile

Name: Ian Parry
Date of birth: September 22, 1960
Nationality: British
Residence: Netherlands
Married: No.
Children: None.
Hobbies: Many but no time to do any.
Favourite 4 albums:
1. "Images & Words" by Dream Theater
2. "Awake" by Dream Theater
3. "Promised Land" by Queensryche
4. "Empire" by Queensryche
Favourite 2 books:
1. Bury my heart at wounded knee
2. The plot to kill the president by Jim Marrs
Favourite 3 movies:
1. JFK
2. Star Trek
3. Star Wars

Could you tell what you have done in your musical career so far?

My career started more than 2 decades ago and I have tried to develop a more creative style not only as a singer, but also as a lyricist/songwriter. My debut on album began in 1985, in the hard rock band Hammerhead, signing exclusively to EMI Records. The band also featured David Rosenthal (Rainbow) and drummer Joe Franco (Twisted Sister & Widow maker).

Having worked in various British bands as Mono Pacific with Zak Starkey in 1981 (son of the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr) and Airrace in 1986 (formerly with Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer), my initial break came with the hard rock band Vengeance. After working & touring throughout Europe for more than 2 years, Vengeance decided to stop after releasing a farewell compilation CD on Sony Records, "The Last Teardrop". Their final complete album featuring songs I recorded was released in 1994 by Alfa Records, Japan, and entitled "The Last of the Fallen Heroes". The CD. contains 12 co-written songs by guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) and me.

In 1993 I started my own independent record label called Non-Stop Productions and I released my first solo c.d. "Symphony of Dreams ". Initially an A.O.R./Rock album, I tried different styles other than Hard rock and this album was released in over 15 countries and received very positive reviews. I also performed and recorded live in England for MTV Headbangers' Ball".

"Artistic License" was my 2nd solo album release. It contains powerful performances from; René Merkelbach (Gorefest) on keyboards, & drummer Ernst van Ee (Helloise). The broad style varies from hard rock, with such songs as "Bad Business" & an historical ballad, "Turn back the Tide" depicting a mining disaster in Abervan, Wales.
Consequently both solo albums were released under license in Japan by Zero Corporation, and due to their initial success, I was invited to Tokyo for a radio/press promotion visit. This coincided with the release of "Evolution II" the 2nd album from guitarist Misha Calvin, with whom I recorded and co-wrote songs also on Misha's 1st c.d. "Evolution", together with Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin. I performed a number of live shows in Europe, including The Marquee Club, London in September '95.

My 3rd solo album "Thru' the Looking-Glass", is undoubtedly my best solo achievement to date, not including the Consortium Project album. Incorporating some memorable vocals and classic Metal/hard rock songs, it features a guest performance from Vengeance/Ayreon guitarist Arjen Lucassen. "Thru' the Looking-Glass" contains co-written contributions from Arjen & Misha Calvin, plus some of my strongest material combining hard rock / Progressive styles with a with strong vocal melodies. Released in both Europe and with Zero Japan, I also filmed a video clip. The track chosen was "Wildhearts".
Shot in and around the old docklands area of Rotterdam, the video had it's premier on the Wet & Wild show, from T.M.F. Holland, and was broadcast on a cable music T.V. show in Cincinnati, USA called Audio Vision, and on MTV Europe.

Other activities:
Includes a guest appearances on the Valensia No.2 hit "Gaia" on Phonogram records, and an additional guest appearance singing and co-writing with guitarist Arjen Lucassen on his very successful rock opera "Ayreon". More recently, I recorded a live album in Budapest, with Hungarian Guitarist Tamas Szekeres, which was released in Japan September '98, via Marquee records.

In February '96, I joined the Dutch Symphonic Metal Band Elegy. The band with worldwide sales in excess of 150,000 from Elegy's previous 3 albums, on the request from J.V.C. Japan, I made my debut with Elegy Singing on their acoustic mini-cd. "Primal Instinct". Having sold over 10,000 copies, Modern Music/T&T released it in Europe.

In 1997, Elegy released the "State of Mind" album, including their debut in USA & Canada, which received rave reviews the world over, & went on to sell more than 35,000 copies, resulting in a successful 30 date Tour of Europe, performing to more than 30,000 people. In addition Elegy filmed it's debut Video clip " Visual Vortex ", which was broadcast by a.o. Viva T.V. Germany, T.M.F. Holland, M-Sat Hungary and Captain Wada's popular Tokyo cable T.V. show in Japan.

Shortly after Elegy played additional shows in Japan, where I was nominated in the Burrn Magazine readers' poll for the best singers of 1997 As a result of this success in Japan, Marquee records released an 18-track compilation c.d. from my previous band Perfect Strangers. The songs were recorded during the band's brief time together between '88 & '89, and features ex-Vandenberg drummer Jos Zoomer, Vengeance bassist Barend Courbois, and Hammerhead guitarist Wilko van Beek.

In 1998 Elegy recorded their 6th album " Manifestation of fear " at Area 51 studio's, which was produced by Tommy Newton, and this was the 1st time I wrote a lyrical concept for an album. The worldwide release was in August ' 98, followed by a co- Head Liner tour of Europe with American metal act Kamelot.

I started work on the Consortium album in August '98 originally as a 4th solo album, in a Symfo progressive metal style, and I invited various musicians/ guitarists such as Stephan Lill - Vandenplas, Tamas Szekeres, Thomas Youngblood - Kamelot, Patrick Rondat & Elegy Drummer Dirk Bruinenberg.

The album entitled " Ian Parry's Consortium Project " was released first in Japan September '99, (together with Ian's previous 3 solo albums, by Nippon Crown), then in France via Olivier Garnier's new label N.T.S. & throughout Europe via the popular progressive German label, Inside Out in October. This followed a release in the USA & Canada 'Nov '99 by the newly formed label from ex-Dream Theater manager Jim Pitulski called Inside out America and in Brazil, Argentina & Chile via Mega hard/Progressive Ltda in 'Dec '99.

In addition to the Consortium Project, Meteorcity records, based in New Mexico USA, asked me to record a track for their upcoming Iron Maiden tribute c.d.
I immediately invited members of US Metal giants Kamelot, to appear on this classic track and the recording was made at the new studios from drummer Casey Grillo in Tampa, Florida called 'Above the C studios'.

The released for this fantastic Iron Maiden tribute CD, is scheduled for early 2000, to celebrate their reunion, including singer Bruce Dickinson, and will feature many more incredible singers & musicians from around the world i.e. John West ( Royal Hunt ), Sebastian Bach ( Skid Row ), Chris Caffery ( Savatage ) plus others.

More recently I wrote lyrics for a co-written song with Arjen, which I will appear on his next 'Ayreon' CD, and I have more plans to collaborate with other artists writing & recording as a special guests on the Consortium II album later in 2000.

Here are recordings I have made to Date:
Hammerhead 12"single 'Don't Cry Your Life Away' EMI, 1984
Hammerhead Heart Made Of Steel EMI (Unreleased), 1985
Vengeance The Last Teardrop SONY, 1992
Ian Parry Symphony Of Dreams Non-Stop Productions, 1993
Misha Calvin Evolution Vienna/Zero Corporation, 1993
Valensia Valensia Phonogram, 1993
Ian Parry Artistic Licence Non-Stop Productions/Zero,1994
Vengeance The Last Of The Fallen Heroes Alfa Records, 1994
Misha Calvin Evolution II Zero/Megarock/Hellion, 1995
Ian Parry Thru' The Looking Glass Non-Stop Productions/Zero, 1995
Arjen Lucassen Ayreon, A Rock Opera Transmission/JVC, 1995
Elegy Primal Instinct Modern Music/T&T/JVC, 1996
Elegy State Of Mind Modern Music/T&T/JVC, 1997
Perfect Strangers - Outside lookin' in Marquee/Belle, Japan,1998.
Tamas Szekeres - Live in Budapest Marquee/Belle Japan,1998.
Elegy Manifestation of fear Modern Music/T&T/JVC, 1998
Ian Parry's " Consortium Project " Nippon Crown, Japan, Sept '99 InsideOut Europe & N.T.S. France, Progressive Rock Ltda, Brazil, Argentina, & Chile Oct, '99, InsideOut America, USA, Canada & Central America, Nov '99
Iron Maiden Tribute Meteorcity, USA Dec '99

To be released in 2000:
Hammerhead
Ayreon
Elegy
Consortium II.

When was the moment in your life that you decided to become a singer?

I started singing by chance in 1977. I played drums in a band in the North of England, and one day our singer at the time didn't show-up, so my Brother who was a drummer at the time, jumped behind the drums, and i did the vocals. The next thing I knew, the guitarist who was the bandleader told me I was the new singer, and the original singer would be the rhythm guitarist. The vocalists who have inspired me over the years are Paul Rodgers Free/Bad Company) David Coverdale (Deep Purple/Whitesnake) Lou Gramm (Foreigner) Steve Perry (Journey) Graham Bonnet (Rainbow/Michael Shenker Group) & Geoff Tate (Queensryche). I do have tremendous admiration for Ronny James Dio also.

What are (or have been) your greatest influences throughout your life?

I guess I have to say Music, which gives me the necessary inspiration; to keep focused and keep going strong, no matter obstacles may appear.

You have been the lead singer of Elegy for a couple of years now. How did you come in contact with them?

I joined Elegy after receiving a telephone call from bassist Martin Helmantel. We arranged an audition for Feb '96, and I got the job.

There have been some rumors lately about Elegy splitting up. Is this true?

I am glad people are talking about Elegy. We are now writing & compiling songs for the 7th & final Elegy album for Noise records, who look set to offer Elegy a new contract.

A little about Ayreon now. Your first appearance was on the first Ayreon album 'The Final Experiment'. Now, you'll appear again on the upcoming album(s)? Can you tell us something about your contribution already?

Arjen kindly helped me out by playing bass guitar on my debut Consortium Project c.d., so I have returned the favor by, not only singing on a song for the new Ayreon album, but I also had the opportunity to write the lyrics. The original idea for this song was created together with Arjen as former colleagues & members of Vengeance between 1990 & '92. Arjen always wished to record this song one day & now with a new set of lyrics & heavier approach, we have final made this a reality.

How is it to work with a person like Arjen?

Great, because he is a true professional, and knows exactly what he wants, so it's always a challenge to do something different, but effective.

I remember an interview in which Arjen told that you and he already wanted to make a concept album after the "Arabia"-period when you joined Vengeance. That concept never became reality because it didn't fit with Vengeance's style. After that, Arjen started with his own Ayreon project, as we all know. Now, you came up with the surprising Consortium Project. Did you, like Arjen, always have the wish to make a concept album with various singers/guest musicians on it?

Actually I planned on recording a 4th solo album, but once I started inviting different musicians, before I knew it I had 10 musicians performing on the C.P. album. During a telephone Conversation with Hans van Vuuren from Transmission (the label that releases the Ayreon albums among others), Hans pointed out one very important aspect. Having 10 musicians was more like a Project, so why not simply give the album a Project name instead? I took this suggestion very seriously. The name Consortium is commonly used in the business world, "The bringing together of powerful multinational companies", so I thought why not the bringing together of powerful musicians in a musical form, and so the name was born "The Consortium Project"

Could you tell anything about the storyline of the album?

The Consortium Project album contains 11 powerful Sympho-progressive melodic metal tracks, including a enigmatic rock ballad and an additional bonus track for Japan. The theme of the album is a reflection on people's daily lives. The struggle some have, while others achieve things easily; the reluctance to take a chance, and how change can affect the equilibrium of life. I tried to combine the crčme de la crčme of the world's Sympho-progressive metal guitarists, whom have enhanced the atmosphere of the album beyond all my expectations. I wanted a unique collaboration so that the Consortium Project debut album would be a must for progressive music listeners around the world, and naturally for all Ayreon fans.

How have the reactions been so far?

Far better than I had anticipated. The album was released in Japan, Europe, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. So far it has sold over 17,000 copies and the reviews from the press have been very complimentary. Now I intend to record another 2 Consortium albums and I have already recorded a co-written song with the Kamelot guitarist Thom Youngblood in Tampa Florida. The C. P. II album should be ready for release around November 2000.

You've performed live as well. Was it a difficult job together all the musicians, since they all have their own bands?

It was easier than I expected to record all these great professional & very talented musicians, I guess their talent & experience made it easy for me to produce, and they gave me the room in which to do so. I contacted Stephan Lill via the VanDen Plas fanclub, Patrick Rondat via Olivier Garnier from NTS France, Tamas I knew after we recorded a live album together in Budapest Hungary, Barend Courbois from Vengeance worked previously with me in Perfect Strangers, Tommy Newton & Dirk Bruinenberg I know and work with via Elegy.

For the Live European tour, which for the most part was a big as asked members of Van den Plas & Rondat to join my Elegy collegue & myself, making it a 6 piece band with 2 guitarists. We played a set of various songs from the new Consortium Project c.d., Vanden Plas & Rondat, plus a classic song from Ozzy.
The Consortium European tour line-up was:

Vocals - Ian Parry (Elegy)
Guitar - Stephan Lill (Vandenplas)
Guitar - Patrick Rondat (Rondat)
Keyboards - Gunter Werno (Vandenplas)
Drums - Dirk Bruinenberg (Elegy)
Bass - Patrice Guers (Rondat)

I do not have the lyrics in front of me so please tell me something about the lyrical background of the album. Is there a "red line" in the lyrics?

Each lyric expresses a different feeling, based on the various subjects I wrote about. For example 'Banquet of Thieves', my favorite song, I was astonished one day while watching a BBC news report about corruption within the famous Scotland Yard. (the police force of London). I had been brought-up in England to be a law-abiding citizen, and now the people who are supposed to be enforcing the laws are breaking the very same laws that they are policing.

"Chain of Fear " performed on guitar by Tamas Szekeres, was originally a song of hope. I wrote the lyrics with the Japanese fans in mind, because for some time they've had to fight through a bad recession, but this message of courage and strength, is very meaningful to us all.

When you started to write and record the project, did you ask Arjen for any advise since he's an experienced person with this way of working?

No, as it happens, it just turned out this way. I did however have a very good understanding of the tremendous challenges Arjen faces each time he starts working on an Ayreon CD

In a previous interview Edward Reekers told he would co-operate if Ayreon were going to be played live. We all know that the chance is very small that this will ever happen but would you go on stage as well if you were asked?

Yes...tomorrow already!!!!!

What are your ambitions for the future? Will there be a second Consortium Project?

I guess my ambition is to successfully continue to make music for the next 5 years at least. Starting with the next Elegy album. I have already compiled 5 songs, and invited Chris Caffery from Savatage to co-write and record songs with me later this year for The Consortium II album.

If you'd like to see a question or something in the interview that wasn't asked, please feel free to add one!

I hope I can continue working with Arjen for many years to come.

I would like to thank Ian for his cooperation