If you are looking for Christmas music, this is not the right CD for you. Stop here if you are looking for a good story exploring good and evil, duty and love, pain and redemption.

Yes, the music is the typical Trans-Siberian Orchestra blending of rock and classical music. However, the story is one that seems to echo in this time. I am so glad my friends gave me this album (2 CDs); I think you will miss something essential if you have only the streaming music or MP3 versions. The booklet included with the CDs adds depth to the sung story, not to mention Greg Hildebrandt's wonderful art deserves admiration.

I think this quotation is what I will take away: Do not dwell on the monstrous injustices done by humanity to humanity, since the dawn of mankind, more than you study how these wrongs and injustices were corrected. The study of the individuals and civilizations that overcame these evils is the key to mankind moving forward.

If you enjoy the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I think you will like this. Do go ahead and get the physical album. ( )