Dutch progressive-rock artist Edward Reekers today releases his first solo album in 15 years, ‘The Liberty Project.’ To celebrate he has revealed the lyric video for “The Disease” ft. Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) and John ‘ Jaycee’ Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), which you can watch HERE. The album is released via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group and features contributions from Steve Hackett (Genesis), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Damian Wilson (Threshold), John’ Jaycee’ Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Koen Herfst (Vandenberg), Cindy Oudshoorn (Kayak) and more. You can order the album here: https://lnk.to/edwardreekers On the galloping riff-rocker “The Disease,” Reekers says, “We hear the virus cynically predict its victory over the human race. The powerful lead vocal of this song was done by John’ Jaycee’ Cuijpers, who did an outstanding job. Arjen Anthony Lucassen played all the guitar and bass parts, including an incredible guitar solo that blew me away!” He continues, “For this song, I wanted the listeners to get a ‘slap in the face’ in every bar, so I used a 7/8 th. I put 7 counts in one bar instead of 4 or 8. It adds to the uneasiness and darkness that the song brings about.” Is ‘The Liberty Project’ a rock opera, a musical, or a concept album? It’s all three wrapped up in a double album extravaganza. So, what’s it all about? Imagine there had been a second Big Bang. Would that have altered our evolution or even created a parallel world? And if so, what would that world look like? Who would be its inhabitants? Reekers says, “I wanted to create a story within a story, so I introduced the characters, Thomas and Catherine, falling in love, splitting up and finding their way back together. With a society in turmoil around them where politicians, bankers, and journalists, amongst others, comment on the situation they’re confronted with”. Reekers has previously revealed “The Present Day” from the album. Thomas, welcomes us to his day and age. “We call the time we live in the present day, but so did the people who lived a hundred years ago, and so will the people who will live a hundred years from now,” Edward explains. “After this second Big Bang, we find ourselves in a parallel world very similar to the one we live in. The song is the first song on the album with a lead vocal. It has a powerful beginning and an almost hymn-like touch to it.” Following that, he released “Good Citizens,” which features Damian Wilson (Threshold), Koen Herfst (Vandenberg) and Cindy Oudshoorn (Kayak). This was one of the first songs he recorded for the album and talking about it he says, “After the second Big Bang – history repeats itself – a different or parallel world has developed, not unlike the world we know. A terrible disease has spread, and people live in fear. We hear the politicians saying everything will be fine if we all follow the rules and regulations that they have drawn up. Naturally, they cannot deliver what they promise; what else is new?” The album is a gargantuan, sprawling piece of majesty. Reekers turned to Joost van den Broek, who he had met during his Ayreon performances, asking him to help him get the Liberty Project on its way. The collaboration turned out to be a magical one. And that’s not the only friend he’s had a little help from. It features Arjen Lucassen Ayreon), Mark Lennon (Venice), Harry Sacksioni, Damian Wilson (Threshold), John’ Jaycee’ Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Koen Herfst (Vandenberg), Cindy Oudshoorn (Kayak) and former Genesis member Steve Hackett contributed a guitar part. | 
