I can’t exactly recall the moment when the string tributes actually started. At first it was fun but then I understood that mostly they are crap. The selected bands like Linkin Park or Nirvana don’t have enough musical potential to be presented as a spectacular string works with powerful arrangements. So except for good old metal bands like Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath I wasn’t actually a fan of such stuff.

But this tribute really destroyed me. The original work is the “Leviathan” album by one of my favorite metal bands – Mastodon. They play complex jazz fueled metal and this work a conceptual work on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is really spectacular. It got three “album of the year” awards from three major metal magazines when it first came out in 2004.

The string arrangements are somehow reminiscent of old classical music. But also they blend the atmosphere of whale hunt from original album and even some steampunk styled moments. So if you are interested in colossal modern metal you should try the original work. If you are more like a classical person check this tribute to feel the salt and breeze of the fights with the last sea beasts.