Trans-Siberian Orchestra

From Metal to Christmas

Trans-Siberian Orchestra was conceived by Paul O’Neill. "The whole idea," he explains, "was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries further than any group before, following in the footsteps of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd, the Who...but take it way, way further."

Influenced by musical influences as varied at The Who, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, Broadway musicals and the writings of Oscar Wilde and Robert Graves, O’Neill set out to create music that would elicit emotions never experienced before.

O’Neill remains the force behind TSO as composer, lyricist and producer. He is joined in this endeavor by Robert Kinkel, also a composer, co-producer and keyboardist. The third creative force is John Oliva who serves as a composer. The final member of the creative team is Al Pitrelli, Lead Guitarist and Music Director. What brought these four together was their involvement in the Metal Band Savatage.

TSO released their first album, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” in 1996 to critical acclaim. Part two of the trilogy, “The Christmas Attic” was released in 1998, followed by the final installment, “The Lost Christmas Eve” in 2004. In the midst of the trilogy, the band released their first non-Christmas recording, “Beethoven’s Last Night” in 2000. After a five year gap, the band released another non-Christmas recording “Night Castle” in 2009. In 2012, their most recent album became the five song Christmas inspired “Dreams of Fireflies”.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra has become renowned for the pyrotechnics and over-the-top touring shows that regularly sell out around the world. “According to O’Neill, “We have, two stages -- with pyro, light and lasers -- on both sides of the arena, as well as in the crowd and the best sound we can find...There's no second-class seats at a Trans-Siberian Orchestra show. I want people to walk out of our shows speechless and...still not believing what they have seen was possible."