Power of Metal.dk Review

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Tales of Winter
Rating
Style: Rock Opera
Release date: 4 October, 2013
Playing time: 75:00
 

My envy goes in the direction of our Dutch friend Rainier. Why? He's going to see the phenomenon Trans-Siberian Orchestra in a not too distant future (January 2014 to be more specific). I'd love to see the show. Yes, it borders on cheese, but I can't help it; a lot of this cheese sinks right in. Not all of it, mind you, but a lot of it.

'Tales of Winter' is not new music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but rather a collection, a baiter you might say, for those potential new TSO rock opera fans in Europe who'd want to come a have a look at the show. If you're new to TSO, this is a fine place to begin a new and long-lasting friendship with an odd creature in the rock/metal zoo, a bastard child of one of the finest metal bands to have walked this planet, Savatage, their producer Paul O'Neill and their shared love for classical music.

I'm not a fan of each and every piece of this collection (Old City Bar, Music Box Blues, Epiphany don't do it for me), but there are also personal favourites like Sarajevo 12/24, Believe (old Savatage song, for those who aren't aware), Dreams of Fireflies to drop a few names. Generally, I like the tunes where TSO just give it full throttle on the classical references and fire away with everything they've got. That's when they're most brilliant, and give me a hard time sitting still.

If you're an old fan of TSO, this collection won't make a lick of a difference unless you're a true collector, but if you're curious what the fuss is all about, then by all means, hit the Add to Basket button and swing the credit card asap.


Tracklist
01. Night Enchanted
02. Saravejo 12/24
03. Believe
04. Wizards in Winter
05. Christmas Canon
06. I'll Keep Your Secrets
07. A Last Illusion
08. Old City Bar
09. Dreams of Fireflies
10. Christmas Nights in Blue
11. Midnight Christmas Eve
12. Ornament
13. Music Box Blues
14. Mad Russian's Christmas
15. Epiphany
Label: Universal Music
Promotion: CMM
Artwork rating: 65/100
Reviewed by: Thomas Nielsen
Date: 30 September, 2013
Website: www.trans-siberian.com