Bring Me the Horizon

Being that they hail from Sheffield, Yorkshire, you might think that metal/death/grind/whatever-else-core-you-can-think-of-band Bring Me the Horizon would have both pedigree and class. However, questions about both of these qualities have dogged the popular death-rockers since their inception in 2004.

The bands’ original heavy deathcore style drew the Brits’ attention for its brutality, but their credibility was quickly called into question because, well, people thought—gasp—the band might be trend jumpers.

The class problem has been an issue since R. Kelly-esque allegations were leveled against vocalist Oliver Sykes: Namely, that he had urinated on and attacked a female fan after she had refused his sexual advances. Sykes eventually was charged for the peeing, but not the attacking.

The band have revamped their sound on their second full-length CD, Suicide Season (the album cover of which classily depicts a young emo woman holding her intestines in her hand) to contain a more radio-friendly emo vibe. Takling America (hopefully without the urinating bit) on their first stateside tour, the boys in BMTH are sure to charm young malcontents with classy songs such as “No Need for Introductions, I’ve Read About Girls Like You on the Backs of Toilet Doors.”

Bring Me the Horizon will charm your daughter’s pants off tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 12) at 7 PM at Northern Lights (1208 Route 146, Clifton Park). Tickets are $15. For more info, call the box office at 371-0012.

Twelfth Night

Well, it’s that holly-jolly, holiday time of year, and Christmas shows abound at the Capital Region’s plethora of local theaters. But if you’re already feeling up to your ears in Christmas joy, the Conservatory at Shakespeare & Company is offering a classic tale with nothing that has nothing to do with Christmas. Well, except for the title.

Traditionally, Twelfth Night may be the final evening of those oft’ caroled 12 days of Christmas, but Twelfth Night is more commonly recognized as the title of the Bard’s beloved comedy of love, lust, learning, twins, transvestitism and mistaken identities.

The Conservatory at Shakespeare & Company is a highly-select, 13-week intensive program in classical theater training for working actors, and the 2008 Conservatory culminates in the two-night-only presentation of Twelfth Nightr. Check it out, and you won’t find yourself bemoaning, like the lewd Sir Andrew, “Oh, had I followed the Arts!”

Twelfth Night will be presented at Shakespeare & Company’s new Elayne P. Bernstein Theater (70 Kemble St., Lenox, Mass.) tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday (Dec. 12-13) at 7 PM. Tickets are $12, and can be purchased by calling the S&C box office at (413) 637-3353.

Albany Pro Musica

Albany Pro Musica, one of the region’s premiere vocal ensembles, pride themselves on their wide-ranging repertoire. So it comes as no surprise that This Yool Night, the name given the two holiday concerts they’re presenting this weekend, features songs “spanning the Renaissance to today.”

After opening with a trio of contemporary works from Canada and Norway, the program will mix traditional carols (“Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Holy Night”) with choral works from around the world, including “Blessed Son of God” by Ralph Vaughn Williams. According to artistic director David Griggs-Janower, the show “will include quite and tender songs that evoke the dark and silent winter night, as well as a rollicking, bluesy visit by the big guy in the red suit.”

Albany Pro Musica will perform Saturday (Dec. 13) at 8 PM at the First Reformed Church of Scotia (224 N. Ballston Ave., Scotia), and Sunday (Dec. 14) at 3 PM at the Carondolet Hospitality Center (St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Route 155, Latham). Tickets are $25, $23 seniors and $10 students. For more info, call 438-6548.