'Twas the prog before Christmas
A video introducton to Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Tim Mosenfelder
Guaranteed to use more power than all the Christmas lights in a 50-mile radius.
In a world of turduckens, “doorbuster” shopping days, and the shrill “’Happy Holidays’ vs. ‘Merry Christmas’” debate, it seems increasingly apt to ratchet up Christmas music to sense-clobbering extremes. When mass-market FM stations, mall Muzak, and cheery packs of carolers don’t quite leave your ears ringing, there’s always Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The huge ensemble has been colliding Christmas tunes, classical music, prog-rock, and blaring hair-metal guitars upon each hallowed season for more than a decade now. Before they the Bradley Center tonight, Decider took a YouTube survey of TSO’s over-the-top take on holiday cheer.
"Wizards In Winter"
In a tradition that goes all the way back to Robert Plant reading too much Tolkien, hard-rock groups can’t resist the lure of the mystics who stalked the earth before some pesky baby came and highjacked all their fun rituals. Nor can they resist the lure of the “flying V” shape, even when it’s applied to a fucking violin. In this TV appearance, the Bubba Gump restaurant in the background only adds to the mythical flurry of heathen spirits.
In a tradition that goes all the way back to Robert Plant reading too much Tolkien, hard-rock groups can’t resist the lure of the mystics who stalked the earth before some pesky baby came and highjacked all their fun rituals. Nor can they resist the lure of the “flying V” shape, even when it’s applied to a fucking violin. In this TV appearance, the Bubba Gump restaurant in the background only adds to the mythical flurry of heathen spirits.
Pious power ballads
"An Angel Came Down"
There’s no word yet on how many instruments, picks, and amplifiers TSO members have lost in the Cool Whip-thick haze of their onstage fog machines. But hey, they take this stuff seriously, whether they’re swinging those long rocker locks during guitar solos or donning tuxedos and literally reaching toward the sky in search of an angel. Judging from the laughter in the background of this clip, this singer’s overgrown choir-boy performance was a little too much even for some Orchestra fans. Good for him: He holds on and pulls this stuff right over the top, especially when he gazes up into a heavenly spotlight at song’s end.
There’s no word yet on how many instruments, picks, and amplifiers TSO members have lost in the Cool Whip-thick haze of their onstage fog machines. But hey, they take this stuff seriously, whether they’re swinging those long rocker locks during guitar solos or donning tuxedos and literally reaching toward the sky in search of an angel. Judging from the laughter in the background of this clip, this singer’s overgrown choir-boy performance was a little too much even for some Orchestra fans. Good for him: He holds on and pulls this stuff right over the top, especially when he gazes up into a heavenly spotlight at song’s end.
Gather 'round the non-denominational tree
"Christmas Canon Rock"
Long the bane of anyone who’s suffered through high-school orchestra, Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon In D Major” may be one of the most rehashed pieces of music in history. Here, the Trans crew gives it a new-agey coat of paint. “Christmas Canon Rock” skips the traditional religious stuff and casts Christmas as an occasion that anyone can share in, depending on their tolerance for a schmaltzy welcome.
Long the bane of anyone who’s suffered through high-school orchestra, Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon In D Major” may be one of the most rehashed pieces of music in history. Here, the Trans crew gives it a new-agey coat of paint. “Christmas Canon Rock” skips the traditional religious stuff and casts Christmas as an occasion that anyone can share in, depending on their tolerance for a schmaltzy welcome.
Actual carols
"O Come All Ye Faithful"
For newcomers, here’s the spirit of Christmas according to Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Take the twinkly, warm melodies the holiday always seems to inspire, then grab that Les Paul and shred, shriek, vibrato, and feedback ‘em in front of a ginormous lighting display. Also, don’t forget to awkwardly mix rock-style drumming with the original rhythms of the songs.
For newcomers, here’s the spirit of Christmas according to Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Take the twinkly, warm melodies the holiday always seems to inspire, then grab that Les Paul and shred, shriek, vibrato, and feedback ‘em in front of a ginormous lighting display. Also, don’t forget to awkwardly mix rock-style drumming with the original rhythms of the songs.
Christmas around the world
