Christmas Countdown: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Happy Christmas eve! If you're looking for some rocking holiday music, you can't go wrong with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Here's an awesome video of a full TSO concert from 2014. I've never seen them live, but I'm sure it's an amazing experience.

Comments

[Gary]

Next time they're within striking distance of you Allyson do yourself a favor and go see them. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. Awesome musicians and an unreal show. 😎

[Bkallday]

Wow. I'd heard about this band before so I decided to check the clip out. Wtf is this "music"? What in the name of Samhill Johnson is going on with this crap? I absolutely cannot believe that this band is able to make a living off of their "music". Idk, maybe they all hold down second jobs at the local IHOP?

Different strokes for different folks sure, but I'd rather go watch a band fart into the mics all night, without uttering a single word nor picking up an instrument. My ears and eyes are now going on strike against me, after having to experience such ridiculous attempts to entertain. I'm sure I will be bombarded with "they're such great musicians" & all that nonsense. But now that I've seen for myself...if they were such good musicians, wouldn't the music be much more enjoyable?

My ultimate nightmare is having to sit through these old poots, and the blue peons from the blue man group(where the former great Blas Elias is now trading money for his shame). They may have plenty of fans that enjoy the theatrical part of their act, but I can assure you that it IS NOT for the "music". Any blatant attempts to convince anyone of anything else, will be absolutely fruitless. Those are my thoughts. Happy holidays to you all, nonetheless! 🤘

[Jeff]

Wow, BK - Merry Xmas to you too. Ever hear of a little band called Savatage?

[Bkallday]

Yep. Not. A. Fan.

[Bkallday]

Let me be the first to say however, that if this band is nothing but a Christmas band. A band that only performs for the holiday season. Then forget all I just said. However if this "band" tries to be a true musical act all yr round....then everything i said goes! Maybe they're just a "Christmas band", and if so, please forgive me. If so, I'm just a lil surprised they're not performing at the local Catholic Church.

[Steverox]

I have been a TSO fan since their first theater tour in 2001 if I recall correctly. I have seen them outgrow the theater and go national in arenas and then expand into a West and East Coast tour.

No: Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, Joel Hoekstra, Johnny Lee Middleton and the other 20 or so musicians will not be going back to IHOP unless it's for a late night breakfast.

But, the music and spirit of the show was way better in their early days. Back then, it was really about Christmas music with a "metal" twist. When I heard the intro riff to First Snow the first time, I was blown away. Chris used to wear a Santa hat the whole show. They played their song from the Grinch movie. Lighting was festive with a lot of greens and reds, and it was big for a theater.

For 10 years or so I went every year. But the show has evolved, and for me not in a good way. I have only seen videos of the last 5 tours or so and that original spirit is hard to find. Sure, the show has become gigantic and every year there is more fog, lights, lasers, pyro, but less Christmas. The themes lately have been very dark with haunted castles and growling panthers. I dont see the connection to the holidays anymore.

And I dont blame the musicians, they are top notch and give it their all every night (or day) for 5 straight weeks. But I for one would love to see a return to the roots and to smaller venues. I know that won't happen. There are hundreds of thousands who enjoy the show the way it is today, and it's their annual tradition.

I'll watch a few youtube videos now, and am happy I saw them when they just started!

[Gary]

bk. I laughed my ass off reading your post!!! That was great. 😂😂😂😂 Like you said,different strokes for different folks. Me, I like the whole "neo-classical" style of metal,and for all intents and purposes,that's kind of what most of TSO's stuff is. Classically styled Christmas songs, played through Marshall's, with the volume on ten. Merry Christmas to all my extended family here at my favorite music site. You folks rock in the truest sense of the word. 😎

[fletch]

bk; blas elias=blue man group. sometimes, you just gotta (as bret michaels and steel panther have said)...suck a little, to make it.

[Him]

Hmmmm . . . so this is a case where a person who doesn't even understand the band's target market (no less their origins) starts taking swipes at them, then backtracks, then swipes again? Does even bother to figure it out before posting? Well, color me surprised.

"I may not make comments about things I don't understand, but when I do . . ." BBG!'s 'most disinterested man of the year' award goes to . . . yeah, him (not me, Him; but him). Quick question, Boxtopsandbobbysocks (or whatever): when you rage against those that anger you, do you ever break your mirror?

On the other hand, Steverox, thanks for that perspective on their growth and the pains that go along with it. Clearly a fan who spends a bit of time thinking through your thoughts before you "poot" them out (to use a word from our recent award winner). I think we can all empathize with you. Thing is, you struck a really nice balance, recognizing what you love and tipping your hat to the fact that their success over the years has engendered some trends that you don't like. For a metal fan, I find their stock and trade to be perfect. Then again, I haven't followed the changes in their career like you. So I defer to you on the finer points relating to TSO.

Gotta love this place. Even over the holidays there are bits of wisdom and some true to form "poots" of normalcy. Light a match. It will either cover up something or illuminate the darkness on a cold December night.

And I second your comment (the second one; not the first), Gary: greatest site with great posters (even Bichonfrisceandallofthenight, or whatever).

[Dj]

I haven't followed these guys all that close but they seem to be doing something right. I saw them live in November and although I don't go out of my way to listen to classical or Christmas music, these guys are excellent musicians and put on a hell of a stage show and theatrical experience. They even donate money from ticket sales to local charities which is very cool. I'd go see it again if they changed things up a bit. I've seen videos of Alex from Testament playing with them as well as Lzzy Hale. It'd be very cool if they got a Mustaine or more metal and rock people involved, hell it formed out of Savatage, so they could do more cool stuff.

[Metalboy!]

Yeah, c'mon, BKtrollallday! Who do you like besides Vince Heel?

I think what really makes Trans Siberian Orchestra great is the comedy of it all, intentional or not. The idea of painstakingly Metalizing traditional Christmas music is hilarious.

They should get Wolf Hoffman to jam, too, since he's also into Metalizing Classical stuff, as well.

p.s. I saw Savatage point blank at Network in Pasadena, Maryland in November of '87 off "Hall of the Mountain King", one of the loudest most kick over-the-top shows I ever witnessed. I laughed my a*s off the whole time!