Christmas in the House of Rock

Chances are: when Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky initially conceived the bright, flowing passages of the “Nutcracker” suite, he hardly imagined the raw gusto of electric guitar playing his delicately constructed notes. لعبة سباق الخيل

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra would beg to differ, however, and heartily believe that Christmas was meant to be captured with the ruggedly engaging power of a righteous axe.

Formed by members of Savatage as a side-project, their debut, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, was released in 1996 by Lava/Atlantic and had quickly become a staple in both – holiday music and progressive metal libraries.

In fact, it is not, at all, uncommon to hear their cover of Savatage’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” blasting the radio waves in the weeks before the long-awaited Eve. Although many in the genre criticized them for their adherence to classical – and arguably religious – themes, their popularity continues to grow and this interpretation of “Carol of the Bells” remains one of the season’s top-played songs.

Christmas Eve and Other Stories, although it is a concept album, focuses primarily on brilliantly played instrumental pieces, though several see the rare use of vocals, as well.

It tells the story of an angel seeking to find a representation of humanity’s meaning of Christmas, and as he listens to various holiday-themed songs, he eventually hears the touching tale of a young girl finally returning home, seemingly against all odds. كيفية ربح المال (A grumpy, stingy Scrooge of a bartender actually gave her everything in his drawer for her chance to return to her loving father.)

The most famous piece on the album is the aforementioned “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” an incredibly gripping, intense version of a traditional tune, though its fellows, “O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night” and “A Mad Russian’s Christmas” can easily stand toe-to-toe.

With the latter being an effective metal interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic – particularly the “Russian Dance” – the band expresses considerable skill in turning these justifiably prestigious and difficult melodies into admittedly rocking pieces of music.

This can be attributed at least partially to the gorgeous instrumental intricacies of rhythm guitarist Paul O’Neill; pianist, keyboardist and bassist Jon Oliva and additional guitarist for “12/24,” Chris Caffery.

It begins with “An Angel Came Down,” a song loosely based on the music of Franz Gruber’s classic, “Silent Night.” Here we learn of the angel’s mission, which is immediately followed by five beautiful instrumental pieces.

“The Prince of Peace” then features the music of German Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn and English hymnist, Charles Wesley.

With the likes of Robert Kinkel on piano and keyboards; Johnny Lee Middleton on bass; Al Pitrelli on lead and additional rhythm guitars and Jeff Plate on drums, the success of this debatably revolutionary album seemed justifiably imminent. العاب النت الحقيقيه

As the story closes and “An Angel Returned” begins to play, the heartwarming, though intense and adrenaline-filled album feels perfectly complete, though to top it all off, two songs are added as bonus tracks: “O Holy Night” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” a traditional English Christmas carol.

With a dynamic combination of rocking instrumentals, crooning ballads and even a children’s choir, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories creates more than a fun and unconventional album – it follows its initial intentions upon formation – it creates genre syncretism and bridges gaps.