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
Requiem
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
SANA MEAM ANIMAM !
VOCA ME BENEDICTUM !
SANA MEAM ANIMAM !
The Latin lyrics in Trans-Siberian Orchestra's song Requiem hold significant meaning, despite the language barrier. "Voca Me Benedictum" translates to "Call me blessed" and "Sana Meam Animam" translates to "Heal my soul." These lyrics are believed to convey a prayer or plea to a higher power for guidance and protection.
The hauntingly beautiful melody of the song, coupled with the Latin lyrics, create an otherworldly ambiance. It is as if the song transports the listener to a spiritual realm, where they can be vulnerable, honest and open to receiving a blessing and healing for their soul.
The lyrics can also be interpreted as a final plea from a dying person, making the song ten times more heart-wrenching. The plea for blessings and healing becomes more potent when the listener thinks of the possibility of a person's last moments asking for forgiveness or mercy.
Line by Line Meaning
VOCA ME BENEDICTUM !
Call upon me, with a wish for blessings to rain upon you!
SANA MEAM ANIMAM !
Heal my soul, by setting me free from the shackles of pain and despair!
VOCA ME BENEDICTUM !
Invoke my name, and let the divine light guide you towards the path of righteousness!
SANA MEAM ANIMAM !
Renew my spirit, by washing away the sins and insecurities that poison my existence!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, JULIAN KERSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@diomato
Till my dieing day i still believe that Beethoven's requiem was the first metal song ever to be written..
@briancross8664
You are so right. These guys wer the metal artists of their day. Everything in minors. These guys are absolutely amazing.
@petersage5157
As I understand it, Beethoven never wrote a requiem. Perhaps you mean Cherubini's Requiem, which Beethoven requested for his own funeral?
@julianhaenen1718
@@petersage5157 I'm pretty sure he means Mozart's requiem, since we're hearing a part of the confutatis combined with Beethoven's 5th symphony here (fits with the story of the album as well)
@Mike-uo2gg
It's not His song he stole it.
@barbaraendicott3666
You are so right about Beethoven , honestly I've truly believe that Beethoven was way ahead of his time plus lug van Beethoven was is the true grandfather of classic music hater gonna hate
@lentplanet
you dont get the full expierence untill you see them live. its incredible!!!!!
@faithfoxx7951
I saw them live it was loud but I love it
@Limonene788
Saw them in Duluth, GA for the 25th anniversary tour. Absolutely an amazing experience. For those who haven't seen them live, just do it. I promise you won't regret it.
@lilysoulstar6221
So true!