Queen - The Show Must Go On (cover)

Covering Queen is a damn hard job. Not impossible, but in my humble opinion definitely hard. First, the (sometimes unexperienced) musician might flatter themself that Queen songs aren't that difficult.

spoiler: they are

I'm sure we all have seen bands covering Queen where the listeners/audience thought even a root canal treatment might be better than listening to the band on stage. (Been there, done that, not just once.)

Second, Queen consisted of 4 legendary musicians who all made history in their own way. I don't need to get into details about Freddie Mercury and his unbelievable talent and charisma; even the stupidest, blindest ones know it, even those who spent their whole life under a rock. And even though many identify Queen with Freddie himself, this band needed all other 3 musicians - the steady, engineer-level precise rhythm section with Roger Taylor and John Deacon and the innovative, definitely virtuoso guitarist Brian May, who created Queen's unique, own sound.

Given this, a band - any band - requires not only dedication, skills, routine, enthusiasm and talent for making a great Queen cover, but also utmost care for the details, precision, going through the song (aka practicing/rehearsing) again and again and again until every little detail, every tune, every beat is at its perfectly determined place. And it's just my opinion as a simple music lover

feel free to contradict me any time, I will be more than happy to hear different opinions!

after the band went through this, learning it all, with accuracy, with all the details, that is the point where they sort of have to let go everything and just play by their best abilities, simply because the musicians of Queen were so unique, each of them with their own, distinctive style that it's impossible to walk their path putting your legs right in their footprint. (Especially in Freddie Mercury's case.)

Sure, the same goes for a lot of other classic bands, like e.g. The Beatles or Dream Theater, but Queen is definitely one of the heaviest examples.

Yes.

Cygnus made this, too.

We know them

well, I DO, I don't know about you, but I don't have too high expectations 😒

and their dedication and care for the little details; their maximalism to bring the very best out of themselves; their tirelessness to make the most out of a cover song as well as of their own songs. And - again my very own, humble opinion that is not carved in stone so feel free to debate about it any time, I'll love to hear from you! - for my ears they had this courage that after learning everything, working themselves through everything and reaching the highest levels, they humbly let it all go, with the greatest possible respect and love for the original creators of this song.

And the result will bring tears to your eyes, make your heart shake, your hands tremble and you will beg for more.

Reny plays the well-known, epic keyboard intro for the song, while Deneb irresistibly adds that little bass arpeggio that can be barely heard in the original

you definitely didn't hear it, I bet 😒

and even this time you recognized it only because it is literally pushed into your face by our thoughtful Colombians, as they don't want you to miss this beautiful detail out

yes, they love you this much

now drop everything you have in your hands and worship them, because they deserve it

no, I don't care you're out in the street

Ruxx precisely brings the percussions, adding a pinch of his own flavor that makes it so beautiful.

Then Deneb starts to sing.

The best thing I love in his vocals (and later in Ruxx's, too) is that he lets all the flavors of his voice shine. In this small part, in the first stanza you can hear that myriad of colors, tastes, drops and lights his voice has to offer. You need to open your ears and your heart very wide to receive them all

alternatively you must listen to it again and again, which I promise you will do it the happiest

to taste them, to absorb them and to fall in love with each and every bit of it.

At the chorus Blu adds a pinchful of extra spice 

no, I won't tell, you will be nice, remove the earwax from your auditory meatuses and figure it out

and Ruxx takes it over.

Don't try to resist. His voice is flowing like a river, he gives in all the power of his vocal chords, and believe me, he has a lot (and by lot I really mean a LOT) to offer.

I know I have said this, but I say it again (and I will say it again and again) that this man should sing in rock operas with this voice

He constantly gives his own flavor to the drum theme - while Blu also flashes his creativity, with Deneb holding them all on his bass strings - and the song is swirling around you, you forget all your expectations and worries. Ruxx is singing, the song picks you up in its arms, the bass holds you tight, the drums kick blood into your veins, the keyboard keeps you warm while the guitar tickles your ears. And Ruxx's continuous, flooding voice gives you back the hope that despite every damned evilness you have made through so far, Life still has a lot of beauty to offer.

Don't hold back your tears. Let them flow, they should have come up to the surface long ago anyway.

You get the catharsis all of a sudden. This time it doesn't build itself up slowly and sweetly; here it arrives out of the blue, like an unexpected, tight and warm hug stepping right in front of you on a rotten, gloomy, depressed day, giving you all its love and care to make you believe in Life again.

Ruxx and Deneb sing the chorus together. 

Not simply having their voices put together during the mixing process, but they do literally sing together, the two of them standing at the microphone, letting all the power, fire, beauty and taste of their voices flow together.

Cry. Let those tears flow. Don't be ashamed. This is Beauty, this is why it is still worth fighting for 💓

Absorb it, dear Reader. Absorb the view of these wonderful, talented Colombians as they sing together, absorb their voices, the intensity, the strength and warmth of them. Absorb the life radiating from them, the joy, the electricity, the love. Absorb it all. 

It's yours.

And in the meantime the music is constantly flowing, the ultimately precise bass and the drums, the guitar, Reny tirelessly bringing the harmonies, they all together falling into the solo that praises Blu's collectedness and skills.

Then comes the catharsis of the catharsis.

Deneb sings the first part of bridge before the last chorus. His mellow baritone is shining, he shows one of the gems of the entire cover

no, I won't tell 😒

then Ruxx appears just to prepare you, dear listener, for the final part.

They again sing together, with all the power, warmth and love their voices can carry. Ruxx lets all the ancient force out of his throat to sweep you off your feet; Deneb's voice covers you like a blanket and then these two amazing rockers again join their forces to touch all the unhealed wounds deep in your heart, to wipe off your tears of pain and depression and to fill the voids inside with comfort and lust for life. The concentration, the determination, the power that is kept under control and this way building up empires of beauty within a few seconds... that is the last part of this cover. And before it ends, it gives a gentle kiss on your forehead.

It's all yours. Keep it to yourself, listen to it and watch it as many times as you'd like. 💗