I have previously named each entry in the classical music concert review series after the featured composers. I won’t make an exception for the arranger and producer of The Rock Orchestra.

This immensely talented ensemble of wind, strings, and percussion performs classical covers of favorite rock songs. They are “reimagining legendary Rock and Metal with all the grace and power of classical. Complimented by a stunning gothic visual world, The Rock Orchestra breathes beautifully dark energy into your favorite songs and presents them in a wholly unique way” (the-rock-orchestra.com).

Their set list included but was not limited to:

“Thunderstuck” by ACDC

“Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence

“Killing In the Name” by Rage Against The Machine

“Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman” by Metallica

“Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns n’ Roses

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeplin

“Paint it, Black” by the Rolling Stones

“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell

and “Zombie” by the Cranberries

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The stunning gothic visual world in question featured a jaw-droppingly beautiful set. Two pillars of lifelike skulls flanked the orchestra. Behind them are stained glass windows, like the kind you might see at a catholic church. Must not forget the eerily lifelike skull that was taller than an adult man. It swung and bobbed, as if to sing along and shake its head back and forth to the music, during the higher energy songs.

The performance was illuminated by a fascinating display of visual stage lighting, by itself a work of art. During “Zombie,” it was not a coincidence that the stage was lit up for the entire song with a bright and vibrant green. “Bring Me To Life” had a backdrop of Evanescence album cover blue. When the lights went out, the stage was gently illuminated by soft white candlelight.

Each performer wore a mask of intricate jewels arranged in the shape of a skull, and wore varying artistic renditions of bones on their sleeves so that they resembed skeletons. A woman dressed like the Reverend Daughter of the ninth house from the locked tomb series sang “bring me to life” with all of the energy in her body. She sang out her soul. She ate and left no crumbs. Her name is Erin Fox and she is an artist.

The energy of the performance was insane. The cellist and the upright bass player sat across the stage from each other, symmetrical, holding down the rhythm and the beat. The lead violinist, saxophonist, and trombonist took turns carrying off the classic guitar solos that the audience can be relied upon to know and love with enthusiasm and outrageous skill. They were brilliant. They were synchronized perfectly. It was clear from the way they moved – from the way they danced and swayed and in some cases ran all over the stage to solo and duet with each other and hype up the audience, as rocks stars tend to do – that their fondness for the music they love to listen to informed their enjoyment of their performance in this style.

The music was a perfect marriage of the genres which are, really, not so different from each other at all – in spite of the way they might sound distinct from each other to some listeners, they are structurally similar in ways I don’t have the words to describe. I will never listen to either genre the same way again.

That was my first rock concert with Steve Rogers. We painted our nails black. (He doesn’t have to take it off for work, now, not for a few weeks.) Tickets for seats up in the balcony – once I was there I wanted to sit closer to the performance, but I think it was a good view of everything all at once. Steve wore black – he usually does. I let him pick out a black dress and stockings and a leather coat, for me. Glasses so that I could see the stage. He drove, I was the navigater in the shotgun seat.

The Rock Orchestra is releasing a record featuring many of these songs, which I think is available for preorder via their website. They have just recently released a single of their cover of Zombie, which is available to stream wherever you get your music. Featuring Erin Fox as the lead vocalist.

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“Another head hangs lowly,
Child is slowly taken.
And the violence cause such silence;
Who are we mistaken?

But you see, it’s not me,
It’s not my family,
In your head, in your head,
They are fighting

With their tanks and their bombs,
And their bombs and their guns,
In your head, in your head,
They are crying

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, Zombie, Zombie.
What’s in your head, in your head?
Zombie, Zombie, Zombie.

Another mother’s breakin,
Heart is taken over
When the violence causes silence,
We must be mistaken

It’s the same old theme since 1916
In your head, in your head,
They’re still fighting

With their tanks and their bombs,
And their bombs and their guns,
In your head, in your head,
They are dying

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, Zombie, Zombie.
What’s in your head, in your head?
Zombie, Zombie, Zombie…”

“Zombie.” No Need To Argue, Track 4. The Cranberries. 1994.