THE GENTLE STORM Featuring ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN, ARJEN LUCASSEN: 'The Storm' Performance Video

“The Storm”, the new video from THE GENTLE STORM, the collaboration between AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen and former THE GATHERING singer Anneke Van Giersbergen, can be seen below. The clip was filmed on April 3 at Hedon in Zwolle, The Netherlands and features footage captured by the bandmembers themselves on GoPro cameras.

Arjen, who is not part of THE GENTLE STORM‘s touring lineup, had this to say about the video: “Wow… what a live band THE GENTLE STORM has become!

“Since I’m not playing in the band, I can safely brag about them without sounding arrogant.

“Really impressive, so tight and such great stage presence… I’m proud of each and every one of them. I could only dream of our songs being represented live like this. Well done!”

“The Storm” is taken from THE GENTLE STORM‘s debut album, “The Diary”, which was released on March 25 via InsideOut Music.

Lucassen and Van Giersbergen originally crossed paths in 1998 for AYREON‘s breakthrough third album, “Into The Electric Castle”. Ten years later they teamed up again for AYREON‘s seventh album, “01011001”, both having established themselves as world-renowned heavy metal/rock artists in the decade between releases. Although their respective musical styles went in vastly different directions during that time, Arjen and Anneke retained a common ground that ultimately led to the creation of THE GENTLE STORM.

THE GENTLE STORM‘s double album is an epic production of AYREON proportions, divided into two parts as a full-on metal assault (CD1) and lighter folk arrangements (CD2). It also heralds Anneke‘s return to the realms of heavy guitars and soaring vocals reminiscent of THE GATHERING‘s breakthrough album “Mandylion”.

“The Diary” cover artwork can be seen below. Arjen said: “I loved the front cover of the last STREAM OF PASSION album, so I tracked down the cover artist, Alexandra V. Bach. I sent her some samples of the THE GENTLE STORM music, and explained the album concept. She made a moodboard that captured the feel of the story and the music. We then gave her the go-ahead to design the cover. She did an amazing job that exceeded our expectations: Alexandra‘s cover art represents THE GENTLE STORM perfectly!”