Style: Hard rock meets Broadway; compare to Emerson, Lake & Palmer, ELO
Top tracks: “The Safest Way into Tomorrow,” “Sparks,” “Dreams We Conceive”
Trans-Siberian Orchestra may be best known for its trilogy of Christmas-themed concept albums, but new album Night Castle distances the symphonic rock collective from any yuletide roots. At the heart of this two-disc rock opera is an intricate tale about redemption during wartime, delivered in grand theatrical fashion. Musically, Night Castle switches between piano-based arrangements with Broadway-caliber vocals and more bona fide arena rock anthems than you can flick a Zippo at. As a bonus, cover versions of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s “Nutrocker” (featuring bassist Greg Lake) and “O Fortuna” by 20th century composer Carl Orff highlight TSO’s eclectic roots.
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