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
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| 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!
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| 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:
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| Mike |
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..)
Für Elise download: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/orionsreign25
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrionsReign
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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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...)
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| 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:
Digital Sales: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/OrionsReign2
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.
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