Album review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Letters From The Labyrinth
Share the post "Album review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Letters From The Labyrinth"
Decca [Release date 29.01.16 - UK]
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) are back with a new album and unlike previous ones this is not a one themed rock opera, instead a collection of songs with varying themes. Plus there are some classical pieces by Beethoven and Mussorgsky given the TSO treatment.The album has already been released in their native US, reaching number 7 in the Billboard albums chart and topping the Billboard rock chart.
The band still feature past and present members of Savatage including Al Pitrelli, Chris Caffery, Johnny Lee Middleton, Jeff Plate and Jon Oliva. Ring Of Fire’s Vitalij Kuprij is also involved, with main man Paul O’Neill writing/co-writing all the songs, except for ‘Forget About The Blame’, which was written by Johnny Green. This song has two versions, the ‘sun’ version sung by Robin Borneman and as a bonus song, a ‘moon’ version sung by Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale. The Lzzy Hale version has of course garnered interest outside of the usual TSO fan base and is one of the album’s highlights.
Jeff Scott Soto pops up on ‘Prometheus’ (about the Berlin Wall), which starts off in a classical mode before JSS comes in and with a heavy vocal – he does seem to like this heavier style he sings on the Soto albums. In fact at first listen thought it was Russell Allen, who sings on ‘Not Dead Yet’, both are top notch vocal performances as you’d expect.
The musicianship and orchestration on the album are amazing as you’d expect from the TSO. The swirling strings and horns on ‘Mountain Labyrinth’ are simply astounding, whilst ‘Lullaby Night’ shows off the band’s gentler side.
The TSO have gone and done it again, another album that mixes rock, classical and symphonic music to great effect. The album also shows they can move away from the themed rock operas and still keep the strong songwriting and melodies intact. Now all we need is some more UK and European shows please. ****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 14 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 9 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024
09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA – Letters From The Labyrinth"