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I do not think I will be argued with when I say Trans-Siberian Orchestra is truly one of the most ingenious bands to ever hit the music scene.  And while they are most widely known for their three Christmas CDs, they also have two non-seasonal discs that are nothing short of amazing.  Beethoven's Last Night and the newly released Night Castle.

I have been waiting for Night Castle's release ever since the last time I saw TSO in concert and got a taste of some of the bonus songs live about three years ago.  Of course, I didn't know the story line, but at the time, I honestly didn't care and came home with a Night Castle jewelry box which sits on my desk, next to my laptop and holds my pencils.

When I told my mom, who is also a huge TSO fan that Night Castle had finally been released, she bought a copy for each of us and gave me mine under the condition that I was to read the entire storyline first.  Usually, when I obtain a TSO CD, I read the story while listening to the music, but I promised my mom that I would read first and listen second.  Now, I am a total bookworm, so if I have the opportunity to read....I'm there.  So, this morning, with coffee in hand, I sat in the quiet hours and read the story of Night Castle.  I found myself transported into the story and could vividly see each scene unfold.  I could smell the salt of the sea and the smoke from the bonfire.  I could feel the sand beneath my feet.  I experienced the joy of first love and physical anguish of the solider.  I could feel the internal and emotional conflict of the general.  I could fee the wonder of the little girl and see the snow white wings of the falcon.  All of this before I ever heard the first note.

The music of TSO can not be compared to that of anything or anyone else.  In my personal opinion, they are their own genre.  They are THE rock orchestra.  Their sound ranges from such simplicity to extreme complexity.  Night Castle is no exception.  When I put disc 1 into my stereo, I felt the same type of elation I have felt at different theatrical productions I have been to, such as Phantom of the Opera and Wicked, as well as the energy that is unleashed from concerts I have attended that have killer guitar, such as Motley Crue or Def Leppard.  As the musicality is consistent throughout the story of Night Castle and as the plot ebbs and flows, so do the songs.  At times very gentle, then surging into a strong, climactic piece that takes you to the very brink of your emotions.  Each song wraps you up into the different characters joys, struggles, internal conflicts, revelations, bringing you at last to completion.

Night Castle gives you ultimate sacrifice, ultimate redemption, ultimate revelation.