Monthly Archives: November 2009
Concert Review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra – 11/02/09
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
11/02/09
Breslin Student Events Center at MSU in East Lansing, Michigan
Though I own a TSO album, I never really got into it, but I sure did try to given the Savatage connection. Trans-Siberian Orchestra has always seemed like a group that would be more fun to see live and after last night’s amazing show, that is 100% confirmed. And what better night to go than on my birthday?
This was probably the best concert experience I’ve ever had. The place was a sellout, but TSO definitely brings in a different demographic than Avenged Sevenfold, KISS or Motley Crue does so I didn’t have to worry about any idiots getting on my nerves.
Sometimes when you go to shows, the sound isn’t so well. I’ve seen plenty of rock bands perform with the guitar way too much in the mix and they’re basically all you can hear but last night everything just about perfect. No screeching guitars, no bass or drums that rattled your ears so much you get vertigo, everything was spot on for the most part, but funny enough — I thought the guitars were a tiny bit low in the mix. Other than that minor quibble, guitarists Chris Caffery and Alex Skolnick were amazing all night.
I know people are going to want to know the set list from me, but I can’t tell you that. I’m not familiar enough with their music and I can’t find any other recent set lists online to get an idea, but the first half of the show focused on Christmas and the majority of the second half featured many songs from their latest album Night Castle.
As much as I loved the Christmas stuff, there were quite a few ballads in that portion that kind of bored me. Most of the second half was amazing though, the show got darker and heavier. After the Christmas portion was finished, a number of people began leaving. I guess those old-timers just wanted Christmas music, but you’re only getting half your money’s worth! For a rock/metal fan, the second half was definitely the best.
The stage production was amazing too, probably the best concert I’ve ever seen. Lasers, smoke, “snow”, tons of video screens, flames (green, orange and blue!). It was a great spectacle. I was surprised by how much they were able to fit into Breslin.
Overall, whether you’re a fan of Christmas, symphonies, hard rock or all of the above — TSO is a great way to spend the holidays and fantastic way to get your fix. Highly recommended. I believe this is at least the third year in a row they’ve come to Breslin, if they come again next year, I’ll be sure to be there.
JUDAS PRIEST – Angel of Retribution
Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution (2005, Epic Records)
CD:
1. “Judas Rising” … 4:15
2. “Deal With The Devil” … 3:54
3. “Revolution” … 4:42
4. “Worth Fighting For” … 4:17
5. “Demonizer” … 4:35
6. “Wheels Of Fire” … 3:41
7. “Angel” … 4:23
8. “Hellrider” … 6:06
9. “Eulogy” … 2:54
10. “Lochness” … 13:28
DVD:
1. “Breaking the Law”
2. “Diamonds & Rust”
3. “The Hellion/Electric Eye”
4. “A Touch of Evil”
5. “Metal Gods”
6. “Hell Bent For Leather”
7. “Living After Midnight”
8. Documentary
Band:
Rob Halford – Vocals
Glenn Tipton – Lead Guitar
K. K. Downing – Rhythm Guitar
Ian Hill – Bass
Scott Travis – Drums
Producer: Roy Z
This album was a soundtrack to 2005 for me! Despite owning Demolition, I thought Priest with Tim “Ripper” Owens was merely “okay”, but at the same time, I was loving what Rob Halford was doing in his solo band. When it was finally announced Halford was back in Priest after a 13 years absence, I was really excited about it (though a bit disappointed that his band would be put on hold).
Much to my surprise, the lone single from the album, “Revolution”, actually got a fair amount of radio play in my area. I’ve got good memories of blasting it real loud in the truck I was driving while doing lawn care whenever it came on. It’s a great track and definitely my favorite on the album. It’s a bit modern, but a bit classic Priest as well.
Roy Z, who produced Halford (the band) produced here as well and he does good job of not letting this become a lame nostalgia album as he combines classic and modern metals sounds. “Judas Rising” and then “Deal With The Devil” are definitely old school Priest and after the awesome “Revolution”, “Worth Fighting For” is my second favorite song and it has an ’80s Priest vibe sounding like something could have come from Ram It Down or Defenders of the Faith. “Wheels of Fire” takes it back even further, sounding like something they might have done in the late ’70s!
Lyrically and conceptually, the album is supposed to be somewhat of a sequel to 1976′s Sad Wings of Destiny, but a lot of lyrical references are made to other albums and songs throughout the band’s career, which is a really cool thing to pick up on if you know your Priest history.
This album was pretty well-received by metal fans across the land, but looking back, I think I like this album even more than I did back when it was new and it easily trumps the two Ripper albums (sorry, Tim).
There were two versions available upon release. You could get the “DualDisc” CD or the CD/DVD combo. Of course, I went for the DVD combo which features a few live performances.
Highlights: “Judas Rising”, “Deal With The Devil”, “Revolution”, “Worth Fighting For”, “Wheels of Fire”, “Hellrider”
