Review ARJEN ANTHONY LUCASSEN “Songs No One Will Hear”

Arjen Lucassen is a renowned musician from the Netherlands. Born in The Hague, the multi-instrumentalist began his career in the band Bodine before achieving initial success with Vengeance. Although rooted in lighthearted hard rock, Lucassen’s talent was evident, especially on the “Arabia” album. Since then, Lucassen has had an international career, delivering stunning music through projects like Ayreon and Star One that showcase his talent as a composer.

With “Songs No One Will Hear,” Lucassen’s new solo album, he delivers another impressive piece of work.

Imagine living in a world that is supposed to end in five months. It’s a weird and unsettling thought. What would you do with the remaining time, and how would people react? Lucassen takes this basic theme and creates an album of songs that people will fortunately hear.

The album opens with an intro called “End of the World Show.” It’s a humorous yet scary news report combined with a radio jingle announcing the end of the world. Mike Mills is the “anchorman” who delivers the news.

Photo: Lori Linstruth

The first full-length song, “The Clock Ticks Down,” is a seven-minute masterpiece that meets expectations. It is generally a calmer song with an explosive chorus that reflects an emotional field of tension — from denial to acceptance. Lucassen shares vocal duties with none other than Nightwish singer Floor Jansen, and the two voices effectively express the inner turmoil of such a situation.

Narrative interludes connect the songs, and what follows the opener is the brilliant “Goddamn Conspiracy.” It has a gloomy verse and an almost upbeat chorus. The song’s hooks are infectious, and lyrically, it satirically addresses replacing reality with conspiracy theories.

“Universe Has Other Plans” starts off calmly before growing louder and more powerful. It shows the equality of humans facing global doom. “Shaggathon” is a masterfully crafted song about people throwing caution to the wind as the end approaches, followed by the epic “We’ll Never Know.” Floor Jansen delivers stunning vocals on this emotionally intense song. It is another highlight of an album featuring great music from start to finish, addressing the realization of unfulfilled dreams.

Dr. Slumber, a familiar character, returns. Fans know him from the “Lost in the New Real” album, and now he shows up on “Songs No One Will Hear.” “Dr. Slumber’s Blue Bus” describes the pilgrimage with the party bus to the collision point where the asteroid hits Earth. This upbeat song vividly portrays human displacement in desperate situations, followed by “Just Not Today,” an acoustic moment on the album that illustrates the importance of the present moment.

“Our Final Song” is a stunning closer and a grand finale. It is a 15-minute epic that showcases Lucassen’s full compositional skillset. Similar to the great moments of Ayreon, “Our Final Song” is a superbly written masterpiece with many twists and layers. Exploring the immense soundscapes that Lucassen created is a pure delight, as are the contributions of guests like Marcela Bovio and Robert Soeterboek, which give the song an extra dimension. “Our Final Song” is an exceptional, captivating song with its versatility.

“Songs No One Will Hear” is a wonderful album and a highlight of 2025. It once again shows why Arjen Lucassen is one of the most talented and impactful musicians. His sophisticated blending of great music, various layers, and perfect melodies leaves one with a mouth wide open. Now it’s your turn to experience this musical feat.

In case you don’t need the narrative pieces, the album also includes a version with only the songs.