Brisbane Reviews

Have you ever sat and wondered at something you love and thought, "how could this be any better?" I often marvel at bread, thinking about the genius who decided to go a step further and come up with toast.

Sounds a ridiculous way to start a review, but there is need to outline this, drawing a parallel to the absolute genius of those who have created Rock Orchestra. A group of classically trained musicians who have elevated metal and rock music (to this reviewer's mind) by performing it in classical style, creating a musical masterpiece that is so spell binding, so theatrical, so unbelievably awesome I am safe in saying that Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is the best show I have had the privilege to witness in many moons or more!

A macabre feast for all senses, from the use of electronic imagery behind the orchestra taking you along for the ride through haunted cathedrals; on ghost horseback through fiery mountains of doom to depths underwater – you are haunted by images of the deep unknown. The stage, a gothic masterpiece of candles and darkness, complete with an orchestra adorned in the sparkliest skulls and lace. A sensual feast of gothic fashion!

This ethereal thirteen-piece Orchestra fronted by three equally impressive singers are Queens of Darkness, Princes of Musical Mayhem. Even the instruments are custom-cool, bare down to the bones like the skeletal relics of orchestras of the underworld. 

Truly, the presentation is awesome and the music hasn't even been touched on yet. Working in wonderous harmony as they match each other with voice and sound, and tackle – nay transform – almost untouchable classics like 'Paint it Black' and 'Nothing Else Matters'. Handing the Orchestra full control to transform 'Stairway to Heaven' into something so beautifully symphonic it would leave Jimmy Page in shock watching the violin being 'shredded' like an electric guitar. 

I have never felt more swept away in the absolute beauty of classical music as I have in this show, mastering music so deep and powerful they would reach the darkest depths of the Mariana Trench. 

As if this wasn't enough (watching them elevate musical masterpieces) they are also bending the idea of the genre of music. Saxophone has so many sounds, but metal? System of A Down, but make it Big Band style? Rock Orchestra aren't in a genre – they ARE a genre. Far from a tribute band, they are a tribute to metal and rock, with sounds so spectacular it felt almost impossible not to head bang (which mind you, the Orchestra ALSO did). In their own words, announced across the Concert Hall, "the beauty of classical music, this is also a rock show yeah?!"

The entire audience physically agrees as they keep the symphonic sounds of Nirvana, My Chemical Romance and Metallica crashing around our heads, wave after wave. You have never heard symphony sound as sexy as this, I guarantee you!

This may be the debut Australian tour of Rock Orchestra but doubtful it will be the last and if or when the opportunity presents itself to see these phenomenal masters of the craft arise again I will make myself available anywhere, any time. If you miss it, it shall surely haunt you.