The Gentle Storm is a musical project by Arjen Lucassen, who is also known as Ayreon, and Anneke van Giersbergen. Their debut studio album The Diary was released in 2015 and is described by Lucassen as "an epic double concept album, a combination of 'classical meets metal' and 'acoustic folk'." The storyline follows a Dutch sailor that embarks on a two-year voyage, leaving his wife at home in Holland. The only way for the couple to communicate and keep their love alive during the long separation is through letters. These letters form the basis for the songs on the album. The 3LP set includes a 12-page booklet with lyrics, the background story and fictional diary entires from Susanne and Joseph. Comes on 180 gram vinyl.