Earlier this year - following their well received debut album in 2022 - Chicago based symphonic metal band Shield of Wings released a video featuring acapella performances covering some of their favourite songs from bands such as Dimmu Borgir, Epica and Moonspell. Bass player Alex Luke clearly enjoyed the venture. "I’ve had a really great time working on these a cappella arrangements for Shield of Wings. When I was younger I spent a lot of time making arrangements for choirs and a cappella groups; I even published and sold some on sheetmusicplus.com. But I had gotten away from it in recent years, primarily focusing on bass with Shield of Wings. So it’s been a real treat to go back to my roots and focus on pure vocal music for a little bit. Working with such talented singers is the cherry on top."
So well received was the video that the band have recorded an acapella version of the classic advent / Christmas hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The band have used the 1957 arrangement by Alice Parker (who is now 98 years old) and Robert Shaw (who passed away in 1999 at the age of 83). From The Choral Arrangements of Alice Parker and Robert Shaw by Jim Taylor: The duo created two hundred arrangements of carols, early American folk hymns, love songs, sea shanties, hymns, Irish songs, spirituals, and Stephen Foster songs for audio recordings made by the Robert Shaw Chorale between 1950 and 1967.
Performed by the three singers in the band (lead vocalist Lara Mordian, keyboardist and vocalist Aliyah Daye and bassist and vocalist Alex Luke), Shield of Wings have produced a resplendently atmospheric and diaphanous version of the much-loved carol. The beautiful arrangement allows the trio moments to sing alone, demonstrating the unique tones and enchanting timbres of each voice – this allows fans to indulge and focus on the vocal qualities of each member away from the context of a fully electric performance. Individually, each voice is pure and enrapturing; together, they are spellbinding and euphonious.
Standing amongst motionless, leafless trees, the band’s breath visible as they sing, the performance becomes an almost transcendent experience. Thoughtful and cleverly constructed shots of the empty woods, intermingling with close-ups of the band, further portrays the haunting silence in which they are standing. While recording the video (filmed by guitarist James Gregor) outdoors at night in winter has added to the alluring and evocative emotions, it was not the most comfortable of shoots. “The 16° F (-9o C) night of the video filming kept us chilled to the bone, and our candles kept being snuffed by the brisk wind, but pressing through this has convinced us that we can accomplish so much when we are resolved to do so.”
The combination of elegant, celestial vocals of Lara and Aaliyah and the absorbing, controlled power of Alex, together with such a well-structured video, will appeal to fans of the band but also anyone who loves this seasonal hymn. Shield of Wings’ performance is both melancholic and hopeful, evoking a sense of longing and anticipation. The voices carry a weight and sincerity that flawlessly match the emotional depth of the lyrics. Further characterised by a sense of solemnity and reverence, O Come, O Come Emmanuel is perfectly paced to allow every lyric and vocal nuance to be savoured and contemplated.
Written: 17th December 2023
Watch the video of O Come, O Come Emmanuel below.