Chances are that if someone were to think of a Christmas rock opera the first thing that would come to mind would be the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.\u00a0 Given that this is a review for another theatrical, Holiday themed group, it may seem disrespectful to mention what would be considered their largest competition in their market.\u00a0 Normally this may be true, but in the case of The Wizards of Winter their very existence is in direct relation to TSO.<\/p>\n
The Wizards of Winter, founded in 2009, began as a Trans-Siberian Orchestra tribute band, even deriving their name from the title of a TSO song.\u00a0 Eventually the band began writing their own original music and, after much interest from those who were attending their live shows, they began recording their own songs.\u00a0 The sound of The Wizards of Winter is both similar to and different from TSO, and their songs stand on their own.\u00a0 If there are similarities to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, they come honestly as several members of the band are former TSO members.<\/p>\n
The musicians performing on \u201cThe Christmas Dream\u201d are varied and accomplished, with a wide range of musical experience.\u00a0 In addition to featuring vocalists and musicians formerly with TSO, the band also includes members that have played with numerous rock and metal artists including Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Joe Walsh, Rainbow and Def Leppard, as well as with several international orchestras.\u00a0 They even have an Irish Tenor in the group.<\/p>\n
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Musically, much of \u201cThe Christmas Dream\u201d blends elements of progressive rock and metal with big, theatrical vocals but the album is definitely not limited to this style.\u00a0 A great example of this is found on \u201cThe Four Kings\u201d, which has a bit of a Brian Setzer feel on the guitar solos and the song also features a saxophone solo. There is excellent guitar work from beginning to end and the standard is set with the solos from the opening track, \u201cSecrets of the Snow Globe\u201d.\u00a0 Guitars carry the album but each song is perfectly accented with piano, keyboards, flute and string arrangements.\u00a0 The foundation is built upon a rhythm section with bass lines that move the songs and that are locked in with rock solid drumming that holds everything together. Segments of Christmas carols and standards are woven into many of the songs which are a combination of instrumentals and vocal performances.<\/p>\n
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While the music of \u201cThe Christmas Dream\u201d evokes a definite feeling of Christmas and the holiday season, the lyrics fall short on delivering the true meaning of Christmas.\u00a0 References to a baby in a manger are the closest any lyrics come to mentioning either Jesus or the miracle of the virgin birth and what this meant for the world and mankind.\u00a0 \u201cSecrets of the Snow Globe\u201d paints the picture of a mystical gateway into the Christmas dream.\u00a0 \u201cPolar Eve\u201d, a fun song vocally and musically, makes references to magic, elixirs and incantations after an invitation to \u201clet the spirit fill you once again\u201d.\u00a0 On the other hand, there is \u201cGonna Snow\u201d, which is one of my favorite songs on the album.\u00a0 A straightforward rock song about the joys and beauty of winter, it is full of hooks and melodies that will absolutely get stuck in your head.<\/p>\n
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Overall \u201cThe Christmas Dream\u201d flows very well from song to song as it builds to a brilliant climax and resolution.\u00a0 The culmination begins with \u201cIn Plain Sight\u201d, a song that delivers a message that reminds us that there are many people suffering through the holidays that need hope and support.\u00a0 This message is delivered with an impassioned dual vocal performance, surrounded by a beautiful piano and flute intro and punctuated with soaring guitar solos.\u00a0 Next up is \u201cChristmas Dream\u201d which perfectly combines \u201cMy Favorite Things\u201d and “The Carol of the Bells.”\u00a0 Just as the album has built up to these final moments, this song does the same within itself, building to a finale that would normally be an excellent conclusion for an album of this scope.\u00a0 Instead, we are treated to the perfect ending for this recording, the introspective and tender \u201cA Toast to Time\u201d.\u00a0 This song uses a beautiful piano and string arrangement as well as strong vocal performances to tug at the heartstrings as we are reminded of the importance of our relationships and that we should make the most of the time that we have been gifted in this life.<\/p>\n
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This album was very intriguing to me and I really struggled with how I felt about it.\u00a0 The musical performances are excellent and songs such as \u201cMidnight Noel\u201d, \u201cGonna Snow\u201d and \u201cChristmas Dream\u201d evoke that unmistakable feeling and sound of Christmas.\u00a0 My biggest wish for this album is that there was some representation of the spiritual aspects of Christmas, which is what I mainly look for when I am adding to my holiday music collection.\u00a0 This is a very talented group with a direct approach to telling a story through their lyrics and I can only imagine how powerful it would be if they were to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.\u00a0 As it stands, \u201cThe Christmas Dream\u201d still packs a punch and would be a great addition to one\u2019s collection, especially for fans of the metal holiday genre.<\/p>\n
[4 out of 5 snowmen]<\/p>\n
-J.H. Tomblin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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