The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: The Lost Christmas Eve
Artist: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Label: Lava Records
Release Date: 10/12/04

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Hel (12/17/04):
    Sit down next to the fire and let Trans-Siberian Orchestra tell you a Christmas tale. TSO emerges again with their third holiday album. And after having just been certified gold after six weeks it seems clear that, once again, Christmas and TSO go hand in hand for all the good little girls and boys. Though I continue to be mystified at the scope of the success of the TSO enterprise, it tickles me to think of all the grandmas and grandpas who will be rocking out to TSO on Christmas day. I come at all of this from the perspective of a long time Savatage fan, who has followed this phenomena for those reasons, and the commonalities between the two are a big reason for me to stay. (“Back to a Reason (Part II)” – ‘nuff said.) I would have thought electric guitar-based seasonal music to be a little too wild for many of the people I’ve seen attend a TSO concert, but their very presence proves me wrong.

    Nonetheless, it makes a metalhead happy to have Christmas albums of TSO’s ilk to toss on during the holidays, and having a new one to add to the collection is a pleasure. Once again we are treated to a variety of soloists, full choirs, elaborate orchestral arrangements, and ripping guitar solos. A storyline (which can be found interspersed with the lyrics on the TSO website) runs throughout the album, so you can either enjoy it on that level or merely on the level of rearranged classics mixed in with some entertaining originals. Either way, The Lost Christmas is, for whatever reason, a holiday album that a metalhead not only can be proud of, but also one their families will enjoy. I remain baffled by their overwhelming popularity (they’re playing Madison Square Garden this year), but at the same time, am thrilled to see a Savatage-related project have such far-reaching influence. Feel free to stuff this one into anyone’s stocking this Christmas.
    4 out of 5
    HEL  Email Hel

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