New Music: Serj Tankian - Elect The Dead Symphony
Serj Tankian has always been as provocative as he has been eclectic. His iconic voice and expansive range established so memorably while fronting System Of A Down has progressed into a new setting. With critics and fans having a mixed reaction to his solo debut (Elect The Dead, 2007), what is one more curve ball? Serj has always reveled on the fringe, and Elect The Dead Symphony is no exception.
After multiple delays this project has finally made its way to public consumption in multiple purchasing options (CD, CD/DVD, Vinyl). A 70-piece orchestra (plus backing vocals/acoustic guitar courtesy of Dan Monti) tackling a rock album while recording and filming this one-time event is no easy task. Fortunately for all, the end result as far as arrangements and sound quality is more hit than miss.
Not every track lent itself to such easy orchestral arrangements, but even then tracks like the often frenetic “Money” manage to get a passing grade. At the same time, when it fires on all cylinders it is something to behold. Show opener (but album closer) “Empty Walls” is just one example of an adaptation carrying the political angst of the original to new heights. Two additional new tracks (”Gate 21″ and “The Charade”) provide the icing on the cake.