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