Orion's Reign Profile

  

       Orion's Reign is one of the bands featured on this March 1st round of Battle of the Bands.  The band is based in Athens,Greece.   Michael, the band's guitarist, graciously consented to answer some questions I provided to him as well as forward some band photos.   The band classifies itself in the genre of symphonic/epic/power heavy metal while much of the thematic content of their lyrics is considered "epic fantasy".   Go to you tube and you'll also see a number of Christmas songs performed in their symphonic heavy metal style.  

       Before you get put off by any of the aforementioned labels, please continue reading the interview below and then listen to some of their music.  You may formulate a whole new concept of what this genre of music entails.  For those in the know, think Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  Listen to one of those Christmas songs and you might be listening to songs of the season all year long!  The "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" video is totally fun in a version unlike you've probably ever heard before.

           And Now I Give You Orion's Reign

Orion's Reign playing their music.  Let's meet the band!

 1.)   What influenced your decision to record "Fur Elise"? 

Most of the members of our band have classical music education and they love composers like Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mozart etc... Classical music is a very unique and intelligent kind of music and also some scientists claim it improves baby's IQ and human's brain! In our music you can find a lot of parts inspired from classical music, not only regarding the melodies but also the way of composing music. Some people say that heavy metal is the classical music of the 21th century and that if Mozart, Beethoven, Bach etc..  would live in our times they would probably play heavy metal ... So here we are haha! I would also like to point out that "for Elise" is not our first try, we have also recorded a metal version of Vivaldi's summer, that you can watch it on youtube! 

Band members on the "Fur Elise" film shoot featuring  Irinä Alexopoulou as Elise and video by Clement Delerot

2.)    Do any band members have classical music training or any other relevant background regarding classical music?  

Yes, as I told you before, most of us have classical education. Our two guitar players and the keyboard player have classical education background (they own some relevant diplomas)

3.)   What musical background, experience, or training do the group members have?

All of the band members began to learn music when they were young kids. Back then they attended some music schools and then, during their university studies, they focused on advanced heavy metal techniques and composition. Their university studies have nothing to do with music, but they probably found free time to practice a lot, to form bands and to experiment !

4.)    What are some of the biggest influences on your band's music?

Every member of the group has his own favorite kind of music, groups and composers. I would say that the biggest influence of our band is the epic music, enhanced with some power metal and folk characteristics. I can name some composers and groups like Hans Zimmer, Bach, Nightwish, Rhapsody of Fire, Savatage, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen and the list goes on for ever... haha!

5.)    Are there any plans to tour North America in the future?

No, there are not any plans for touring North America. We live in Europe (Greece) so it's very difficult for us to afford such an expense.

6.)   Upcoming projects (new albums, etc.)

There are a lot of thoughts, but the free time is really too short. We are currently trying to finish our next official album and in the meantime we record some covers for our youtube channel.

Now to Introduce the Members of Orion's Reign:

Mike

Michael: Guitar (main influences: 

Classical, epic, folk music and power metal. Fav bands Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Yngwie Malmsteen, Deep Purple etc..)

Kirk : Keys and orchestra arrangements (main influences: Classical, epic, folk music and power metal. Fav bands  Nightwish, Rhapsody of Fire, Luca Turilli, Soundtracks etc..)

 Noel: Drums (main influences: New metal, power and progressive metal. Fav bands Amaranthe, Bullet for my Valentine, Iron Maiden, Him, Dragonforce, Kamelot, etc...)

Georgeeee

George: Guitar and bass guitar ( main influences: Classical and power metal. Fav bands Gamma Ray, Dragonforce, Helloween, Symphony X etc..)

Want more info about Orion's Reign?   Check out these links for starters and get to know these guys a bit better:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orions-Reign/32671965675?ref=br_tf  

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/orionsreign

Digital Sales: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/OrionsReign2

Für Elise download:   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/orionsreign25

Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/artist/3hRL14TJtJqr7i1IH3D1pU?

play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrionsReign 

Website: http://www.orionsreign.com 

       My sincerest thanks to Michael for taking his time to offer this look at Orion's Reign to the readers of Tossing It Out!

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       If you have not yet voted on the current Battle of the Bands post please scroll back to my previous post or click here to listen to your options and cast your vote.

        Please return to Tossing It Out on Wednesday March 4th to meet the other Battle of the Bands competitor Sebastian Sidi.

          Are you surprised that this band lists classical music as an influence?  Do you associate heavy metal music with classical music?   Would you like to see Orion's Reign tour North America?



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Für Elise (BOTB)

     

Battle of the Bands!


         I'm excited about today's post.  After all it's time for the Battle of the Bands, the event where music loving bloggers offer up two different versions of one song and you the readers decide which version you prefer.   The Battle of the Bands blog event was founded by Stephen T McCarthy and Faraway Eyes.   After you vote on your favorite of the two selections I've offered, please visit the participants who are listed at the end of this post to vote on their Battles.

       Today and throughout this coming week I'll be presenting a very different approach to the Battle of the Bands.  I'll explain more at the end of this post so be sure to read all the way to the bottom so you don't miss what's to come.  But first let me introduce today's musical selection and then we'll listen to two interesting and outstanding recordings based on this very famous work of music.

Für Elise

      You're all undoubtedly familiar with the piano work by Ludwig Beethoven known as "Für Elise". You might not recognize this title, but I'm sure when you hear the opening notes you will have that a-ha moment of recognition.  This piece is one of the most famous piano compositions that nearly anyone who has taken piano lessons has played at some time or another.   Beethoven's "Für Elise" is among the most recognizable of all classical works.

       For the reference only, if you wish to hear the traditional classical piano version you can check it out at Fur Elise but PLEASE DON'T VOTE ON THIS VERSION.  Vote between the two artists who are featured in this Battle.  While the featured recordings aren't note by note covers of the Beethoven work, they are artist interpretations in updated styles.   Please give them a listen in order to give each a fair judgement.  I will refrain from commentary on either for reasons to be explained at the end of the post.

       Now enjoy!

Orion's Reign "Für Elise"   (2014)




For the alternate guitar duo metal version by George and Michael from Orion's Reign visit Fur Elise Duet.


Sebastian Sidi "Für Elise" (2008)

     



An alternate concert version by Sebastian Sidi solo piano with synthesized back-up can be found at Fur Elise Cover.


Time to Vote!

    For this round of voting I'm using a tandem system to help me with voting verification.  Please vote using the poll included below this red message and also leave your vote in the comment section with reason you chose the artist you did.  Use the "Anonymous" option ONLY if you are unable to vote using one of the other "Comment as" options.  If using the "Anonymous" option please include your name (first only is okay) and your city.  

Which artist's version of "Fur Elise" do you like best?

Orion's Reign

Sebastian Sidi

 

pollcode.com free polls

          Which do you prefer?    It's up to you to determine the winner.   Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the one you chose.  Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around.   And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.





And don't forget the special news at the bottom of this post!

Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Book Lover

This Belle Rocks

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

Special Coming This Week!     
   
       You'll want to check back here on Tossing It Out throughout this week. 

       Tomorrow Monday March 2nd  I'll be hosting Michael from Orion's Reign with an exclusive interview and some photos of the band.  You might be surprised by some of his answers to my questions about the band and their music.   

       Then on Wednesday March 4th I'll be assisted by Sebastian Sidi for a special Insecure Writer's Support Group post.
   
        Finally, the results of my Battle of the Bands post between the versions of "Für Elise" as performed by Orion's Reign and Sebastian Sidi will be announced on this coming Friday March 6th. 

        This should be an interesting week so I hope you stay with me at Tossing It Out!


         Which version of  "Für Elise" was your favorite in this Battle?   What did you like about the version you chose as your favorite?  Did you ever take piano lessons and learn to play this song?

  

If you have any questions about leaving a comment, please read message at the bottom of this page below the comment box which will appear if you click on "No. of comments" next to the posting time or you can click on main post title then scroll down to bottom of the page.




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Classical Fathers Day

            Since Sunday is Father's Day in the United States, today's installment about classical music will briefly look at some of the famous father figures who were involved in this genre of music.  We don't really hear much about the offspring of many of these composers unless we read a biography.  But the fathers of these composers often played a big role in their successes and sometimes the children of the composers became famous themselves.

         J.S. Bach came from a musical family.  His father and his uncles were musicians.  At an early age Johann Sebastian was taught to play violin and organ by his father, who died when his son was ten years old.  Johann was then raised by his brother, also a musician, who continued his younger sibling's musical training.   Later Johann had several children by two wives and some of those became musicians and famous composers as well.

          If you've seen the wonderful movie Amadeus, which is the romanticized version of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, you may remember that he was a child musical prodigy who toured Europe extensively with his father and sister.  Mozart's father was a professional musician and composer and he coached his son in playing music, a talent which young Amadeus took to naturally, and wrote down the boy's earliest compositions.   Mozart was amazingly prolific in his musical output in his brief 35 year life.  He and his wife had six children, but only two survived past infancy.  One of his sons became a musician and composer.  If you have never seen the film Amadeus, it probably is a pretty accurate depiction of the real life composer and it is an excellent film that I would highly recommend.

         Another well known composer who knew Mozart and was Beethoven's teacher for a while is Franz Joseph Haydn, who was affectionately referred to as "Papa" Haydn.  His father was not a professional musician but was self-taught at playing music and had a great enthusiasm for the art.  He recognized his son's abilities and sent his son away at age six to study music.  Haydn's childhood was difficult at times, but his father's decision paid off with Franz Joseph becoming one of the most influential composers of all time.  Having over 100 symphonies and over 50 string quartets attributed to him, Haydn has been called "The Father of the Symphony" and "The Father of the String Quartet".   Additionally he wrote many other notable works.  Though he was adored by younger musicians and many others who gave him the sobriquet Papa, he never had any children of his own.

        Another composer film I would highly recommend is Immortal Beloved, which is based on the life of Ludwig van Beethoven, who was probably the most famous composer of  all time. This film is a mystery, romance, and biography.   Beethoven's grandfather and father were both musicians. His father was his first music teacher and was purportedly a harsh taskmaster.   Ludwig had no known children, but he raised his nephew after his brother died.  The nephew, Karl, was trained in music by the uncle, but Beethoven was a harsh guardian like his own father had been.  When he was older, Karl unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide due to his difficulties with his uncle Ludwig.  Karl and his uncle Ludwig later reconciled, but the nephew joined the army to get away.  Ludwig Van Beethoven died not too long after his nephew went away.

           The fathers of all of these great composers had a profound effect on what their sons achieved in their lives.  These fathers supported and instilled ambition to create within their sons.  A closer study of the lives of these musical giants might show a correlation between the way this was achieved and the way the sons turned out in their lives, but one thing is certain-- musical genius was engendered within all of them.     

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