The Gentle Storm sign to InsideOut

Arjen Lucassen and Anneke van Giersbergen have confirmed they’ll release their collaborative album The Gentle Storm via InsideOut next year.

And while former The Gathering vocalist Giersbergen will take part in a tour to promote the launch, Ayreon mastermind Lucassen won’t be there.

They’re currently working on the double-length record, with assistance from pianist Joost van den Broek, bassist Johan van Stratum and others.

Giersbergen says the themes include “drama, beauty, history and love,” adding: “We’re in the middle of recording these amazing new songs and are very excited that InsideOut shows an equal amount of faith in the release. We can’t wait for people to hear it, and we’re happy this superb team will help us spread the word.”

Lucassen was last month named virtuoso of the year at the Progressive Music Awards for his work on 2013 Ayreon album The Theory Of Everything. Van Giersbergen’s fifth solo album Drive appeared last September. She’ll reunite with The Gathering for a 25th anniversary concert in November.

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.