Allegaeon -- U.S. metal band takes a small step towards Johann Sebastian Bach

With one EP and five full-length albums to their name, melodic tech-deathsters Allegaeon have already amassed many, many positive reviews of their works. Every time they have a new work available, it seems like the reviewers' words are not in shortage when talking about the band. Now the Americans have taken it upon themselves to do an instrumental cover of Bach. Well, it looks like they could just as well alternate between releasing their regular albums and their covers of classical music because this is a good turn for them. -Metal Bullletin Zine

Allegaeon

Concerto in Dm

Metal Blade Records

4 December 2020

ABOUT: Allegaeon has released a new digital single, Concerto in Dm - featuring the title track and B-side "In Flanders Fields". Greg Burgess (guitars) comments: "What can we say about J.S. Bach that hasn't already been said? Musical genius? Greatest composer to ever walk the earth? It's all been written before, so I'll go to what he means to Allegaeon. I first heard this piece back in 2000, and it has been a dream of mine to arrange this piece for a metal band; it only took 20 years to make it a reality. For anyone who has never worked on Bach before, the learning process is painstaking. Just when you think it's a repeat of a section you've already learned, you're suddenly in a new key, or there is a variation that totally throws a wrench in your muscle memory. In short, recording this piece was the most challenging thing I've ever attempted in this band. And I'm insanely proud of it. Crank it loud and get lost in it."

Riley McShane (vocals) adds: "Originally, these songs were part of the first draft track-listing of 'Apoptosis'. In fact, this alternate track-listing - including these two songs - ended up being the running order for the 'Apoptosis' LP. However, over a year after the initial release, we decided to put the songs out in a digital format for everyone to enjoy, just in time for the holiday season. Who needs Trans-Siberian Orchestra when you have Allegaeon covering Bach?"

Concerto in Dm by Allegaeon