Kingcrimsonprog Serj Tankian’s Elect The Dead Symphony is certainly an interesting release. At first, the idea for an artist with just one album releasing a live album seemed like a bad idea, then when you add in the idea of Serj’s short three minute songs getting the orchestral treatment the idea seemed even more ill-advised, it led me to make unpleasant assumptions about the man’s ego. I’m glad to report however, that the problems I perceived are largely absent and Serj was fully justified in releasing this symphonic live concert. As well as songs from the Elect The Dead album, there are two brand new songs `Gate 21,’ and `The Charade,’ as well as two more non album tracks `Blue,’ and `Falling Stars.’ Another reason that this concert works so well is that the songs have been pretty severely rearranged to suit the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, it seems more like an MTV Unplugged version of Elect the Dead was given the symphony treatment than the existing versions. There is no distorted guitar whatsoever, no bass guitar and no drum kit as all percussion is handled by the orchestra. The concert’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. This concert relies a great deal more on the Orchestra than any other Rock/Orchestra cross over I’ve ever seen, which while making it unique and impressive may alienate some fans who were expecting a mixture of the band and the orchestra more in line with Kiss’s Alive 4 or Metallica’s S&M orchestral concerts. Some songs suit the style more than others, with the chorus of `Money,’ for example, seeming clumsy. Songs like `Elect the Dead,’ and `Saving Us,’ however are amazing and truly feel grand with the powerful backing of the Orchestra. In terms of the DVD, the visuals, camerawork, direction and editing are spot on, they really couldn’t have done a better job its almost worth watching just as a demonstration on how to correctly make a concert DVD. The sound is similarly perfect, the only place where quality comes into play are your individual opinions on the arrangements and how well Serj’s voice carries live. In my opinion, Serj nails it here with a faultless performance that in some instances surpasses the original album versions, but a few listeners may not be so convinced. Overall, Elect The Dead Symphony is a very good concert, with top notch sound and visuals. If you feel that a stripped down version of the songs augmented by a huge Orchestra is for you then give it a try.

Pekka When System of a Down went on hiatus, Serj Tankian was quick to release his first proper solo album. Many tracks were apparently suggested to go on SoaD's Mezmerize/Hypnotize double, but as Daron Malakian was overflowing with excellent material, most of Tankian's tracks were left off the albums. Whereas Daron Malakian's post-Soad band Scars of Broadway continued somewhat in the direction of the last System albums, Elect the Dead resembles a bit more the earlier System output, though it's different enough not to be instantly comparable.

As was the case with Scars, Tankian's solo material is also considerably less metal than System. One of the problems of this album is very clear in the third song, Money. Having written a gorgeous intro and verses, Tankian almost destroys them by inserting a mad burst of a chorus. One gets the feeling that it's almost like he wanted to write a simple beautiful track, but because that's what he's known for, he has to go insane in the chorus. It's a good song after all, but it could have been so much more. Many tracks follow the same quiteter verses / loud and heavy chorus pattern.

Tracks like Baby and Honking Antelope are enjoyable listening and Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition is a welcome dose of funky weirdness with its touch of electronics and dissonance, but rarely does anything on this album reach the magic that Serj Tankian is known for. Generally I notice liking his voice much more in the softer parts, in the louder ones he resorts a bit too often to straight colourless booming. I'm sure I would like this album much more if he minimized the metal element, as now it seems a bit too forced in places, like the last bit of metal he had to get out of his system before moving on to playing these songs with a symphony orchestra, and crafting the jazzy and symphonic album that will come out later this year.

That I'm much more interested in than this effort. Occasionally enjoyable, rarely memorable.