I first heard the work of Apocalyptica at an early point in their career, when they were mostly doing Metallica covers as instrumental cello pieces. “Nice”, I thought, and listened with interest a few times before filing it away in the “novelty music” category in my head.
I didn’t manage to check out much of their stuff after that but this, their sixth album, shows a major change from what I recalled. No longer a novelty, they have become a metal band with a similar drive and fire as the likes of Metallica – yet with a line up of three cellos and a drummer. Utilising a range of guest vocalists to produce a mix of instrumental tracks and others with vocalists, and the technical capabilities of the cello to a guitar certainly gives them a different sound to most metal bands.
With an outstanding production and virtuoso performances from the band, this is a beautifully composed album of progressive heavy metal with a twist – and it’s one I would heartily recommend to any fellow soldier of the cause of rock. Nice work, classicalist geezers.
Latest content from Apocalyptica
More content from 'Jive/Sony BMG'
