The roots of TSO are found in Savatage, a traditional heavy metal band that gradually progressed into a symphonic metal act. Savatage's rock operas, starting with STREETS, began the experimentation with what would become TSO culminating on the track "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from DEAD WINTER DEAD. This track was a minor hit for the struggling band, and demonstrated that there might be an audience for the symphonic metal approach to holiday themes.
The concept for a band playing Christmas carols in a rock opera style was not received warmly by the industry, but quickly proved a success with adults as well as young people. In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir.
As of 2004, their touring band included 14 vocalists, 14 musicians, and 2 narrators. Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories in 1996, and it remains their best-selling album. Their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was similarly a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night. Beethoven's Last Night is a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Mephistopheles (possible Satan, or one of his underlings).
After a few years of touring, they returned to the studio with another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.
During their winter tours of 2005 and 2006, the band had announced that they were working on the new album, set to release later that year (this was said both years). During the summer of 2007, the official myspace for TSO stated that they were recording, with the expression 'inspired'. Finally, on October 27, 2007, the long awaited new album (and second non-Christmas) arrived "Night Castle". The album is another concept album, spanning 2 cd's, and is the telling of the story of a soldier's experience during the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. As always, it's about faith, hope, fate and the inherent belief that there is good in all people. The album was received with mixed reviews, from the praise of the band's fans, to the near burning of albums by those that are less than receptive to the album. Along with the songs for the story, the album also includes 4 tracks that are not part of the story, and yes, it features the band's rendition of "Carmina Burana (O Fortuna)", performed as a preview by the band during their winter tours, as well as one cover of a Savatage song.
http://www.trans-siberian.com
http://www.nightcastlealbum.com
http://www.myspace.com/tsoofficial
A Last Illusion
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
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Damnatus salvens
Hic homo nesciens.
Quae futura est ?
Est plane vanum?
Magnificandum?
Error aut sanum?
Qua?
The past and present
Loss and redemption
A man's intentions
All things yet to be
A last illusion
Time's absolution
Fact and confusion
Fate and destiny bound
In "A Last Illusion" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the lyrics touch on the subject of uncertainty, potential, and the fluidity of time itself. The first verse introduces the ideas of past, present and future, implying that all of these concepts are intertwined and have some bearing on one another. The question is then asked about the nature of everything to come, if it is mere vanity, something to be praised, or something inherently flawed. These questions leave the listener to contemplate the complexities of an ever-changing and unpredictable world.
The second verse reinforces the theme of time and its elusive nature, with the phrase "A last illusion" sounding like a reference to the fleeting nature of life itself. The idea of redemption appears, which suggests that nothing is ever truly lost or hopeless, as long as one is willing to seek out a solution. The rest of the verse explores the concept of fate and destiny, which is represented as an indefinite and inescapable force that can still be impacted by our actions, no matter how small.
Overall, "A Last Illusion" is a song that offers a message of hope and possibility, despite the inherent uncertainty of life in general. The lyrics encourage the listener to embrace change, to think positively and creatively, and to always be willing to take risks and try new things.
Line by Line Meaning
Priusquam praesens
The past and present
Damnatus salvens
Loss and redemption
Hic homo nesciens.
A man's intentions
Quae futura est ?
All things yet to be
Est plane vanum?
A last illusion
Magnificandum?
Time's absolution
Error aut sanum?
Fact and confusion
O fortuna est!
Fate and destiny bound
Qua?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL, ROBERT KINKEL, ROBERT S. KINKEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind