Apocalyptica, a well-known Finnish metal band, was founded in 1993 and is comprised of academically educated cellists who write creative music. When four outstanding cellists gathered to perform Metallica cover songs at the Sibelius Academy, they formed the band.
The initial lineup included Max Lilja, Antero Manninen, Paavo Lotjonen, and Eicca Toppinen. Their 1996 album ‘Plays Metallica by Four Cellos’ featured only Metallica covers; future albums, however, would include original compositions.
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Mercury Records released Apocalyptica’s debut album, ‘Plays Metallica by Four Cellos,’ on April 8th, 1996. This album was a surprising hit because it showed purists that heavy metal and classical music could be merged to produce an exciting and distinct sound. The album includes eight instrumental renditions of Metallica songs. It was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa and recorded at Finnvox studios in Helsinki, Finland.
The album received critical acclaim. Many people commended the three for being able to emulate the aggressiveness and blaze of Metallica’s songs with only cellos. Metallica’s lead singer, James Hetfield, sings the album’s theme song, which is accompanied by cellos. Despite the absence of vocals, the tracks on this album are strong and energizing.
The cover of ‘The Unforgiven,’ which is widely regarded as the album’s centerpiece, is the most well-known song on the album. It is a great piece that sounds particularly great on cellos with long, flowing notes. ‘Master of Puppets,’ ‘Creeping Death,’ and ‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’ are other standout players.
‘Plays Metallica by Four Cellos’ has been a terrific first record thus far and is a must-have for every Metallica fan. It offers a distinct interpretation of Metallica’s songs and is packed with thrilling melodies. Apocalyptica’s genius is evident on this album, which also serves as a good introduction to the band’s unusual blend of metal and classical music.
Apocalyptica has collaborated with a number of special guests throughout the years, the most notable being Corey Taylor of Slipknot. The collaboration resulted in the song ‘I’m Not Jesus,’ which appeared on Apocalyptica’s sixth studio album, ‘Worlds Collide,’ which was released in 2007.
Slipknot’s producer, Ross Robinson, proposed the band collaborate with Apocalyptica on the song ‘I’m Not Jesus.’ Robinson was well-versed in Apocalyptica’s unique combination of classical and metal music. Taylor was ecstatic to be working with Apocalyptica because he was already a fan of the band.
The collaboration was a smash in both the metal and classical music spheres. Taylor’s strong vocals were mixed with Apocalyptica’s distinct cello sound in the song. The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the film ‘The Number 23’.
For both Apocalyptica and Corey Taylor, this collaboration was a dream come true. It was a successful attempt at mixing two diverse musical genres, and it was a fitting tribute to the distinct styles of Slipknot and Apocalyptica. This cooperation is regarded as one of the most successful collaborations between a metal band and classical artists in history.
When Apocalyptica debuted on the Billboard Rock Chart in the United States in 2008, it was a watershed moment in the band’s career. This was a historic moment for the band because they were the first Finnish band to accomplish this feat. The music that attained this milestone was ‘Don’t Care,’ which was used on episode 16 of Smallville’s eighth season.
Both metal and classical enthusiasts loved the tune. It was hailed for its distinct combination of metal and classical music, as well as its forceful and dynamic songs.
This was a major milestone for the band, as it demonstrated that their distinct sound was being noticed and loved by people all around the world. This success has enabled Apocalyptica to continue developing and performing its inimitable music, as well as to broaden its fan base. This achievement was significant for the band and opened the path for future success.
Apocalyptica has released a new single, ‘Rise Again,’ which features vocals by Simone Simons of the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. ‘Rise Again,’ accompanied with an amazing and one-of-a-kind music video created by Lisa Mann, is a new version of Apocalyptica’s instrumental tune ‘Rise,’ taken from the band’s most recent album, ‘Cell-0.’
The stunning mix of Simone Simons’ unique vocal timbre and the Finnish metal outfit’s mournful yet forceful cellos will undoubtedly attract fans and music enthusiasts alike.
Apocalyptica’s Eicca Toppinen comments: “It was so great to make ‘Rise Again’ with Simone Simons! When we were putting the ‘Epic Apocalypse’ tour together, we were thinking of making this collaboration with Epica even deeper by releasing a song together. ‘Rise’ from our ‘Cell-0’ album had the beauty and feel which we felt could fit perfectly for Simone’s unique voice. We are so happy about the song and really excited about this tour with Epica as it will be something really special and amazing!”
The Epic Apocalypse Tour will commence on January 23, 2023, in Oslo and will conclude on March 29, 2023, in Leipzig, Germany, with support from Wheel.
The release of ‘Rise Again’ is Apocalyptica’s newest offering in advance of their future full-length album, which is slated for early this year. The band has also released the EP ‘Metal Classic, Classic Metal,’ which features cello-metal reinterpretations of classic bangers, as well as the single ‘I’ll Get Through It,’ which features Franky Perez on bass guitar and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath on bass guitar, and also was written for the band by award-winning American songwriter Diane Warren.
The release of ‘Rise Again’ is guaranteed to please fans and music lovers alike, as the strong Apocalyptica cellos and Simone Simons’ ethereal vocals are sure to capture listeners.
Apocalyptica’s ninth studio album, ‘Cell-0,’ was released on January 10, 2020, and it boasts a unique combination of classical and metal tones, as well as guest performances by Franky Perez (vocals), Geezer Butler (bass guitar), Ville Valo (vocals), and Lzzy Hale (vocals).
‘Cell-0’ is a concept album that Apocalyptica describes as “a musical journey through the future of a cell-based society.” The title of the album is drawn from the fact that it is their ninth studio album, and it is supposed to reflect the nine generations of cells that comprise all living beings.
‘Ashes of the Modern World,’ the album’s debut single, was released on December 13, 2019, and featured vocals by the band’s cellist Eicca Toppinen. Other songs from the album include ‘En Route to Mayhem,’ which features Franky Perez on vocals, and ‘Rise,’ which was released on April 17, 2020.
‘Cell-0’ received mostly excellent reviews, with critics complimenting the album’s distinctive combination of classical and metal tones. The album charted in seventeen countries, including Finland at number one, Switzerland at number three, and Germany at number twenty-two.
Apocalyptica returned to Colombia for the sixth time on November 19th, 2017, to perform at Festival del Diablo III. The Finnish neo-classical, cello-driven chamber-oriented rockers performed at the Teatro Royal Center in Bogotá, Colombia, and delivered a heartfelt tribute to Metallica.
The show opened with an acoustic recital of four cellos performing cover tunes such ‘Enter Sandman,’ ‘Master of Puppets,’ and ‘Harvester of Sorrow.’ The second half of the show included drummer Mikko Sirén and cover songs including ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls,’ ‘Until It Sleeps,’ ‘Orion,’ and ‘Seek & Destroy.’ The band even asked the enraged audience to shout the song choruses, giving Apocalyptica’s musical momentum a distinctive voice.
The concert ended with an encore of ‘Nothing Else Matters,’ ‘One,’ and a surprise touch of AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck,’ as a tribute to the late Malcolm Young, one of AC/founders. DC’s This was the first glimpse of what would soon be the full-fledged Festival del Diablo III.
They are now preparing for a live concert on April 22, 2023, at Bogotá’s Teatro Royal Center. This concert will include songs from their most recent album as well as old favorites.
Apocalyptica is thrilled to be performing in Bogotá and presenting the audience to its unique combination of metal and classical music. Tickets for this highly anticipated show are currently on sale. Do not pass up this wonderful opportunity to see one of metal’s most distinctive bands.
