Therion “Con Orquesta”
Swedish symphonic metal band Therion is at its bombastic best on its new live album.
Therion, the Swedish symphonic metal band, did a couple of special orchestral performances in Romania and Hungary in 2006-07. In 2024, they did it again. This time with a slightly different approach. Therion’s founder Christofer Johnsson decided to team up with Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México for a special show performed in front of 11,000 fans at the Mexico City Arena. The show was recorded and filmed. Now we all get a chance to experience this extravaganza.
“In the past, our concept was more like Therion going classical, with the band and the symphonic orchestra meeting on an equal basis. Thus, we did a fully orchestral version of one song and it was divided almost 50/50 between playing Therion songs and classical excerpts being rearranged for band and orchestra”, reflects Johnsson. “This time, however, I wanted to take a different approach. I invited a renowned conductor and composer from Mexico to reinterpret our songs by adding new arrangements and expanding the originals with the orchestra. They also wrote some new intros and small interludes, making this a truly authentic Mexican interpretation of Therion live with orchestra.”
This excellent 20-song live release has a career-spanning setlist with plenty of gems. “The Blood of Kingu” opens the proceedings. The added orchestral grandeur fits Therion’s bombastic, theatrical and extravagant style well. The band sounds fantastic. This is a full-on love fest that goes on for well over two hours and includes many favourite songs such as “Twilight of the Gods”, “The Birth of Venus Illegitima”, “Via Nocturna”, “Siren of the Woods”, “Lemuria”, “Asgård” and “The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah”. It is a wonderful mix of metal, musical theatre, classical music and much more. The fact that it has been captured being performed in front of an enthusiastic Mexican crowd doesn’t hurt. It all ends, of course, with a splendid version of “To Mega Therion”.
The Therion line-up for this live recording was Christofer Johnsson (guitar), Christian Vidal (guitar), Christopher Davidsson (bass), Sami Karppinen (drums), Thomas Vikström (vocals), Rosalia Sairem (vocals) and Lori Lewis (vocals).
Therion’s new live album “Con Orquesta” will be released on 30th January via Napalm Records.
