Allegaeon “Concerto In Dm” Review

Allegaeon
Concerto In Dm
Metal Blade Records
Released: December 4, 2020

Allagaeon have a new two-track single named Concerto In Dm on it’s way, and your mind is at risk of being blown.

What happens when a metal band covers J.S Bach? That is the question, this is the answer. At its root, metal music is composed and played on stringed instruments. However, few musicians study their instruments to the level it takes to take on the masters. Here, Allegaeon are in essence, covering J.S Bach! Bach! Pause, and consider that for a moment before continuing ahead. Yes, a metal group is performing a piece written by one of the greatest musicians of all time. Moreover, they do it well. Imagine that.

So, the next time that some numpty tells you that it requires no talent to create metal music, show them this. Chances are, it’ll be beyond their perception of musical genius though, but the moral victory – the pyrrhic victory, will be there. They say, there is a fine line between insanity and genius, and that classical music is the music of the highly intelligent. What then, of a band that is able to recreate some one of the most famous classical music pieces in this manor? Ah, so many questions, with so few answers.

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Perhaps groups like Apocalyptica are to blame – or honor; depending on how you see this sort of thing. After all, it was they that first sat down, with four cellos, and hammered out the early works of Metallica in such fascinating fashion. Showing the work, with staunch fist, just how strong of a musician it takes to be able to write songs of this ilk. Sadly, few took notice. Popular music remained the formulaic cesspool that it is, and the major labels continue to fool the masses with the same rhythmic pattern over and over again. Yet, is that not what we want it anyway? Let the feeble minded be fooled while we reap the golden nuggets of proper composition.

Still, it must be said that what Allegaeon have achieved here, is seismic. Massive. I hesitate at calling this a cover, although at its roots, that is probably the most apt description. Perhaps settling on the term reimagining is more apropos. However it is to be described, this is genius personified. Beauty. Gallantry in an audible sense. Truly impressive yet damned to be forever ignored in favor of the latest soul less tripe that the masses feed upon. Humanity has truly lost its way.

The tension that is built in the masterworks of J.S Bach, is omnipresent here as well. But how can that be! Aren’t we metal heads supposed to be the dirge of society? The scum of the earth? O’ how I adore this composition and all that comes with it. I stopped being a fan of Metallica long ago, but since I mentioned their works earlier, and because they recorded two albums with an orchestra playing their compositions, I must bring them up again. How amusing it would have been, to see the likes of Bach, jamming Metallica tunes. Again, it’s all string-based music, isn’t it?

“What can we say about J.S. Bach that hasn’t already been said?” states Greg Burgess. “Musical genius? Greatest composer to ever walk the earth? It’s all been written before, so I’ll go to what he means to Allegaeon. I first heard this piece back in 2000, and it has been a dream of mine to arrange this piece for a metal band; it only took 20 years to make it a reality.”

Your copy of Concerto In Dm awaits you via the Metal Blade Records shop – you’d be a fool to pass this one up. A fool!

For Fans Of: Apocalyptica, J.S Bach, Vivaldi

Track Listing:

01. Concerto In Dm
02. In Flanders Fields

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