TSO - WTF?

Today Justin and I saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Verizon Center. It was....... an interesting experience. Let's start out by saying that neither of us knew that TSO's concerts involved telling a story. We thought it would just be nice, heavy metal Christmas music. We grab our seats and settle in for what we hoped would be a nice Christmas memory.

We should have known from the strobe lights and elaborate stage set-up that this was not to be so. About 10 minutes into the show, Justin and I were looking at each other with identical "What The Fuck?" looks on our faces. There was James Earl Jones-lite on the stage, intoning some story about an angel and God and... well to tell the truth, I kind of stopped listening at that point, I was so bewildered.

Then, we began to get the full "Trapped in the '80s" treatment. Granted, a quick Google search shows that this band was formed in '96 (but I swore it was longer than that!) but we're talking a big voiced blonde that was channeling Lita Ford, plus dueling electric instruments, complete with synchronized moshing over their e-guitars. It was surreal - straight out of the "Sister Christian" (Night Ranger). You know you know the video!

There were parts that freaking ROCKED (Xmas Eve Sarajevo, The Mad Russian's Christmas), but there were also parts that made us just LOOK AT EACH OTHER in bewilderment. It made me doubly glad that everyone we invited to come with us didn't go, because they would have KICKED OUR ASSES for taking them to this. We ended up leaving a little early just to beat the crowds, but really we were just glad to go. The strobe lights plus piercing REAOWRRRR!!!!! from the amplifiers were doing a number on our eyes and ears.

So. Lesson learned. Before you go to a concert, do your homework. Or else you will end up with some dude with a BOOMING VOICE and a crazy on-stage mosh pit telling you about angels and Solichnaya and wishes and the salvation of mankind.