THE MISKOLC EXPERIENCE

I do not understand the rock musicians subservient attitude towards classic music and those who play it. Nice clothes in grandious buildings does not means good music. It is snobbery of the highest order. I do not think rock, metal or jazz is inferior to classic music or opera. The only difference is the perception of the music and the social, ruling class who says they enjoys it. This perception of classic music being superior to modern music is another word for fascism and even nazism. This elitism is keeping the masses down. It is a sign of weakness from those who regard themselves as the ruling class. This is very much turning myself away from classic music because I do not regard myself as an untermensch because I am listening to prog rock and other modern music. I want classic music to be treated like any other form of music and culture. Not to be paid for by the tax payer and given the exlusive use of grandious buildings. I cannot stand fascism and I cannot stand snobbery. All human beings are born with equal rights. No, I am not a communist. I am a free market capitalist and I want the market to decide in matters like music and art.

Therion has a fascination for classic music. On this double live album; they tries to combine their own symphonic music with opera and other Wagner like classical music. Both Therion, a full orchestra and a full choir is present here. The recording is done in Hungary. So far; the facts.

I think it is pretty obvious that Richard Wagner really was the first ever heavy metal composer. That's one hundred years ago. You can draw a straight comparisson between Richard Wagner and the likes of Black Sabbath and Emperor. But what Therion here is doing is trying to take one piece of classic music, let it be played by the orchestra and choir and then add their own songs inbetween. The classical music pieces are pretty average and even bad. They just prove that there are some really frightening bad pieces of classical music out there on the market. The Therion stuff is good, though. The crossover stuff is OK though. But it is still a pretty boring album unless metal riffs and choirs together is your staple diet. It is not mine and I am not overawed with all this "classic music meets metal" nonsense. I believe a lot will say that this is fantastic. Well, it was not fantastic when the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra spent a summer on the road, playing Metallica. Poor sods ! But this Therion double live album is another attempt to merge classic music with metal. I guess it is Therion's attempt to gain credibility because I have great difficulties spotting any artistic merits here. But as a cure against insomnia; it will rival any of the current drugs on the market.

Besides of giving Therion some false credibility; I am not sure what the meaning about this album is. It does not impress me at all. I think it is a mess and a sure way to fall asleep. Don't listen to this album if you drive or run some dangerous machines/tools.

2 stars

'The Ultimate Therion Experience'? I think not.

I grabbed hold of the DVD and double CD box set eagerly and it cost me a fortune. I could have bought 3 awesome Cds but took the risk to indulge in the 'The Ultimate Therion Experience'. I watched the DVD and it was a classical orchestra playing the likes of Wagner, Mozart and Verdi, and classical composers I had never wanted to hear. 2 very accomplished opera singers, both creatures of beauty sung in various languages, and I felt like I was watching an opera which I never liked.

Where was the metal? Ah, Therion are trying something different. It was always their dream to play live with a full blown orchestra and massive choir the liner notes state. Big deal. It is boring! My wife was listening in the other room and walked in and asked me "what is this you are watching?" and I replied, "I wish I knew". I began to search for the receipt for the Cd frantically, "What time does the Cd shop shut?".

I then watched patiently as one classical piece after another was played and I began to long for 'Sirius B'. I had to skip through the classical stuff. It was painful to listen to that tenor and those screeching violins.

Finally, the second part of the set began. 'The Blood of Kingu' is belted out. The singer springs out from the wings and bangs his head trying to get audience members to do likewise. They comply like angry goats. The orchestra members look at one another in bemusement, some look like they want to escape through the nearest rabbit hole. It is quite amusing and worth a look if nothing else for that particular moment. My wife watched and said, "Those orchestra members look so worried, like a fish out of water," I think she nailed it. The whole performance is out of place. It would have been better to just have this set and nothing else. Talk about waking up your audience after all that sleepy Wagner! 'Sirius B' is next and it is incredible. Then one Therion treasure after another is given the full blown orchestra meets metal treatment. Nothing wrong with that but it's all too late. I had already been frustrated out of my mind with the first set. The other great tracks include 'Eternal Return', 'Draconian Trilogy' and 'Schwarzalbenheim (Svartalfheim)'. It is a great concert in this section and worth a curious look. However the problem is the opening section is really so geared towards lovers of classical opera that metal fans are going to be turned away. Therion are operatic metal but this is taking it too far.

Unfortunately, the CD package is only available in this expensive box set and not worth the trouble. I argued with the manager of the CD store and finally he succumbed to my rather persuasive argument, : "This Cd in essence is nothing more than a classical opera", he replied "What do you expect with Therion?", I replied "metal and opera, yes, but this is Mozart and Wagner with a touch of guitar", the argument went on and on, and I finally was able to swap it for 3 awesome Cds.

There are better Therion albums out there, this is for collectors only. If you want excellent orchestra merged with rock try Dream Theater's excellent 'Score', or 'Symphonic Yes' or 'Kiss Symphony' or 'Concerto Deep Purple'; not this Therion disaster.