Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to DCU with renewed energy

Much of the scene set by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra upon its return to DCU Center on Saturday felt cozily familiar. From the dazzling light show and the equally dazzling vocals and musicianship, to the timely post-Thanksgiving jolt of Christmas spirit, it all felt like we were just picking up where we left off two years ago.

Although their customary routine of a day/night doubleheader might lead folks outside of the confines of the arena to believe that they save the best for last, it couldn’t be farther from the truth inside the building as the skilled soldiers of Christmas chaos hit the gas from the first note of their matinee performance, and didn’t let up for a single moment as they serenaded, shredded and brought the crowd to their feet on more than one occasion.

Spinning a raucous yarn in celebration of 25 years of their landmark album "Christmas Eve and Other Stories," the band’s latest romp through Worcester followed the show’s storyline with precision and an extra pep in their step, as they unleashed a whaling setlist of both reinvented and tried-and-true fan favorites, as a gleefully gratuitous amount of flames were thrown from the stage and generated snow fell from the rafters, cultivating a marriage of fire and ice that puts the Miser Brothers to shame.

While it may be engrained in the fibers of the creative tapestry curated by the late Paul O’Neill, the overall light of positivity, love, peace and holiday cheer seemed to shine even brighter this time around. Presumably as a result of the return to wowing a live audience in Wormtown for the first time since 2019, the energy exuded by everyone who hit the stage wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, per se, but it felt renewed and raw. And while the production of the show is one of its most awe-inspiring characteristics, this year’s edition felt just as precise as years past, albeit a bit less rehearsed, and instead more reliant on the mastery of each individual artist.

From end to end, the stage show offered so much to the eye that it was nearly overwhelming, in the best way possible to try and catch every little detail that unfolded amidst spastic lasers, video screens, candy cane-striped lights, and the numerous face-melting solos from guitarists Chris Caffery and Joel Hoekstra.

Although the role of maestro was volleyed among Caffery, Hoekstra and narrator Bryan Hicks for a majority of the show as it has been for years, there seemed to be a lot less of a spotlight on lock this year as the talents of violin virtuoso Roddy Chong, bassist Tony Dickinson and each of the solo vocalists consistently garnered their own robust rounds of applause as emotion and energy emanated from their voices and instruments at top volume.

Even with the main focus being the band's 25-year milestone, it still found ways to pull out all the stops and visualize new and exciting additions to the show, as the roaming rockers took turns over the course of the afternoon strapping themselves onto moving platforms that extended over the crowd as they continued to shred and entice the crowd to join in on the fun.

Just as they have done year after year and city after city, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has once again proven that a sleigh ride into the Christmas season doesn’t have to be all tinsel and bows on presents under the tree. Sometimes it’s a metal show with flames, smoke machines, and a booming call to keep this Christmas thing going all year, all the while catapulting us into a winter wonderland of holiday joy that keeps us in the here and now, back together again under one roof.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns Worcester's DCU with renewed energy