Swedish symphonic metal pioneers Therion have announced their live album, Con Orquesta, out on 30 January via Napalm Records. The band made history once again in 2024 by performing live with a full orchestra, 17 years after their last monumental shows of this kind. Following their unforgettable appearances in Romania (2006) and Hungary (2007), the legendary outfit returned to the orchestral stage in spectacular fashion for their very first arena show, captivating a sold-out crowd of 11,000 at Mexico City Arena. This monumental performance will be forever etched into the band's legacy – brought to life for fans as a limited physical release, and available in stunning detail on DVD and Blu-ray.
A first glimpse into the record is "The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah". Arguably, Therion's biggest song has amassed almost eight million streams on Spotify. This stand-out track, originally released on Vovin in 1998, impressively shows the band's artistry. Blending metal with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México, this rendition of the beloved song is truly one of a kind.
Therion on "The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah": "'The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah' is our most popular song and it was an obvious choice for this event. But it is also one of the most suitable songs to perform live with orchestra".
Con Orquesta marks a celebration of the Therion universe, proving once more why they remain the undisputed pioneers of symphonic metal. A must-have for every fan and collector!
Christofer Johnsson about Con Orquesta: "In the past, our concept was more like Therion going classical, with the band and the symphonic orchestra meeting on an equal basis. Thus, we did a fully orchestral version of one song and it was divided almost 50/50 between playing Therion songs and classical excerpts being rearranged for band and orchestra. This time, however, I wanted to take a different approach. I invited a renowned conductor and composer from Mexico to reinterpret our songs by adding new arrangements and expanding the originals with the orchestra. They also wrote some new intros and small interludes, making this a truly authentic Mexican interpretation of Therion live with orchestra".
After the two European experiences, Therion mastermind Christofer Johnsson was uncertain whether he would ever bring another live orchestra project to life. In the end, his decision proved more than worthwhile. Together with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México, the band delivered an incomparable symphonic metal spectacle, enriching classics with new arrangements and expanding their sonic universe in grand, orchestral style.
The Con Orquesta setlist spans Therion's illustrious career with 20 tracks in total, blending fan favourites, symphonic epics, and rare gems. As a bonus, it also features exclusive rehearsal material. From powerful classics like "The Blood Of Kingu", "To Mega Therion" and "The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah" to emotional highlights such as "The Birth Of Venus Illegitima", "Siren Of The Woods", and "Lemuria", the performance bridges eras of the band's history. Unique inclusions like the Marie Laforêt cover "Mon Amour mon Ami" and Sylvie Vartan cover "La Maritza" showcase Therion's genre-defying artistry, while the massive "Draconian Trilogy" and "Via Nocturna" unfold with new orchestral grandeur. Link
Con Orquesta tracklist:
CD 1
1. The Blood of Kingu
2. The Ruler of Tamag
3. The Birth of Venus Illegitima
4. Tuonela
5. Twilight of the Gods
6. Mon Amour, Mon Ami
7. La Maritza
8. Via Nocturna
9. Asgård
10. Draconian Trilogy
CD 2
1. Ginnungagap
2. Ten Courts of Diyu
3. Litany of the Fallen
4. Siren of the Woods
5. Son of the Staves of Time
6. Lemuria
7. Sitra Ahra
8. Quetzalcoatl
9. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
10. To Mega Therion
Blu-ray / DVD
1. The Blood of Kingu
2. The Ruler of Tamag
3. The Birth of Venus Illegitima
4. Tuonela
5. Twilight of the Gods
6. Mon Amour, Mon Ami
7. La Maritza
8. Via Nocturna
9. Asgård
10. Draconian Trilogy
11. Ginnungagap
12. Ten Courts of Diyu
13. Litany of the Fallen
14. Siren of the Woods
15. Son of the Staves of Time
16. Lemuria
17. Sitra Ahra
18. Quetzalcoatl
19. The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
20. To Mega Therion
21. Rehearsal
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"I can call our show an emotional exhibitionism. If you want to drink beer and cry, please come to our show, haha." - Nokt Aeon
"I find it really bizarre, because right after the concert, you're already on the internet. I mean, come on. It's very different from how it used to be, but it's fine." - Anja Huwe
"There were already bands doing small illustrations of symphonic metal, and I was thinking, why doesn't someone do this all the time?" - Christofer Johnsson
"With Hypocrisy, I'm very "home", but with Pain, it's an adventure, just like going into the jungle only with a knife and no glass of water and trying to survive." - Peter Tägtgren
