Photo by Lawrence Fung

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra rolled into town this month and not a moment too soon. They came just in time for the Christmas holidays. This was the first time I ever attended this show and with all the hype it had it’s moments. Technically these guys were great. An impressive approx. 30 piece band rocking and riffing away on Christmas carols and famous classical scores in a heavy metal style.

The first half of the show was solely dedicated to the Christmas theme along with narration with set the tone for most of the entire show. The second half the orchestra rocked out to classical symphonies that would of made their original composers proud. The show itself was impressive, the use of LED backgrounds, lasers zapping all over the place, lights, a floating platform, fog machines and pyro was absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen so much attention grabbing visuals that could take your mind off of the show or keep your mind in the show depending how you look at it .

Now let me get straight to the point, I attended the show with a friend of mine who’s an avid heavy metal lover and well even though the TSO performance was absolutely, technically perfect… We both had to agree that there is something about mixing heavy metal guitars with classical melodies together, somethings just shouldn’t be mixed together. Overall no matter how you put it into the mix, mixing the two added a slight layer of cheese throughout the evening. And before everyone is up at arms, let me say it again “I NEVER SAID THESE GUYS WE’RE BAD, ON THE CONTRARY THESE GUYS WERE TECHNICALLY AMAZING, BUT MIXING HEAVY GUITARS WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC IS A LITTLE CHEESY.” It is what it is and I’m pretty sure the sold out crown at the Bell Center would disagree. Personally it was like listening to Yngwie Malmsteen all night, Yngwie is a technically perfect guitarist. Listening to him for two hours straight and I just want to pull the hair out of my roots… I think you guys get my drift. Now Megadeath… these guys did it right . As mentioned earlier the show itself was honestly an incredible array of lights and lasers flickering all over the place. With this said the show should of came with a warning sign and I’m absolutely serious… or maybe there was one and I missed it amongst the flashing lights. There was so much flickering, and flashing of lasers and lights anyone sensitive to this would of definitely of had a problem.

Overall these guys definitely put on an impressive show, was it my cup of tea? Not really, maybe this is something that i have to get use to… For me heavy metal guitars go great with I dunno… heavy metal music. But the TSO will definitely cater to an audience who want  to listen to Christmas carols and classical hits repackaged and presented in a totally different manner. These guys perform their show every year close to the holiday season, spreading the message holiday joy; as they should and I have no doubt that they will be spreading it once again to sold out crowds where ever they decide to play.

To end this review, at least I can agree with the TSO on one thing; may everyone have a great Christmas and holiday season with joy and two cups of eggnog filled with rum. Best wishes to all of you and along with the TSO, I hope to see you guys in the New Year .

Written by,
CAS Admin