Source: Sabrina Beever
Music genres can either seem worlds apart or way to similar, and that is all part of the beauty of different styles. There are so many seemingly oppositional genres, like pop and metal, not only in style but the values they each hold. Those genres can seem like extremes, but somehow dare we say it, BabyMetal have managed to create something decent with that approach.
Classical is another genre that can get cut out of of the modern soundscape, and is usually associated with an older and more elitist demographic. Admittedly this can be the case sometimes, but classical music can have more of impact on rock and metal then you may have first expected.
Looking at some of the earlier generations of metal bands like Deep Purple, their keyboardist and guitarist were both classically trained, which meant they could pull off some astonishing solos. Even more modern metal bands like Slipknot can have some technical material which must have been learnt from somewhere. Arpeggios can’t be plucked out of the air!
We’re going to look at albums within specific genres, rather than just albums in general, because there are so many possibilities. Albums by bands such as Queen and Pink Floyd have already had orchestral remodels, so they wont be included in the running, but they are still incredible re-imaginings.
Let’s start off with pop punk. There are two different approaches for this genre, one of them being completely insane when it goes towards a more poppy side of the spectrum, as orchestral remakes wouldn’t make sense because of some of the simpler chord progressions. Then again, some pop punk albums have orchestral samples, albums such as My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade and Set It Off’s Cinematics. Due to the versatile voice and talent of Brenden Urie, a Panic! At The Disco album would prove interesting to remake, probably one of the earlier ones such as A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out or Vices And Virtues, which already include classical instruments, so a full score would definitely be effective.
Moving on to looking at Classic Rock. We’ve already mentioned Deep Purple, but we already know how their material sounds in an orchestra because they have already done it! There’s been various covers of rock songs such as ‘Thunderstruck’ AC/DC and ‘The Trooper’ by Iron Maiden executed brilliantly by 2Cellos, the Croatian Cello duo. Also doing a mix up of ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and Beethoven’s ‘5th Symphony’, a Led Zeppelin album, would be brilliant; strong riffs, could be interesting experimenting with a a good brass section.
Looking at some more recent rock acts like 30 Seconds To Mars, A Day To Remember and August Burns Red, but the broader a bands’ style the better. So just Imagine Linkin Park tunes being thrashed out on violins. To replicate rapping would be difficult, plucked strings maybe, or short stabs on clarinets. It would be Linkin Park as you’ve never heard them before.
Moving on to the heavy stuff, you have the all-time classic bands like Machine head and Black Sabbath with some brilliant bands emerging as well such as Disturbed and Trivium, or the slightly oddball ones like Alestorm who are fantastic with all their pirate glory. Just thinking of a fast jig on a violin doubled whilst the conductor is wearing a bandanna is a very amusing image. However, with the extensive melodic material, Tool would be one to listen for with melodies flitting all over the orchestra, especially ‘Aenima’ – those cross rhythms would sound great with some marimba action.
Now looking at the last category: symphonic come progressive metal/rock. This almost seems like a given because these genres lend themselves perfectly to classical re-do’s. Symphonic metal bands such as Nightwish and Symphony X have used orchestral parts in their albums before, as well as prog rockers Dream Theater. But what would be great to hear is Opeth’s Pale Communion – with so many transitioning sections, it would make for a mind-bending symphony!
