Apocalyptica is a Finnish cello metal band, composed of classically trained cellists and, since 2005, a drummer. Three of the cellists are graduates of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Their music features elements from classical music, neo-classical metal, thrash metal, and symphonic metal.
Apocalyptica was formed in 1993[1] when four cellists, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Max Lilja, and Antero Manninen gathered to playMetallica covers at the Teatro Heavy Metal Club. Among the audience was Kari Hynninen, who worked for the independent label Zen Garden Records. After listening to Apocalyptica’s set, Kari Hynninen signed them on the spot to Zen Garden Records.
In 1996, Apocalyptica released their debut studio album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, which consisted solely of Metallica covers played on cellos. In 1998, Apocalyptica released their second studio album, Inquisition Symphony, which was produced by Hiili Hiilesma.Inquisition Symphony once again contained covers of Metallica, but also contained covers of Faith No More, Sepultura, and Pantera. For this album the band also decided to include three original songs written by Eicca Toppinen.
In 1999, Antero Manninen left the group, and was replaced by Perttu Kivilaakso. In 2000, Apocalyptica released their third studio album,Cult, which now featured 10 original songs, and only 3 covers. And it was after the recording of Cult that an Apocalyptica track was first seen featuring vocals, Path Vol. 2. In 2002, Max Lilja left the group and joined Hevein, leaving Apocalyptica with only three members.
In 2003, Apocalyptica released their fourth studio album, Reflections, which consisted for the first time of all original songs. Reflectionsfeatured a more experimental sound, instead of the previous acoustic style arrangements found on Inquisition Symphony and Cult. Dave Lombardo from Slayer played drums on five songs from Reflections. As he was unable to join the band on stage on the following tour, the band hired Mikko Sirén, who would stay with the band for future tours as well as the recording of the next album.
In 2005, Apocalyptica released their fifth studio album, Apocalyptica. This album featured a number of guest musicians including Ville Valoof HIM, Lauri Ylönen, and once again Dave Lombardo. They also recorded the Intro for Bullet For My Valentine’s album The Poison. In December 2005 Mikko Siren was announced as an official bandmember after having played around 200 shows with the band.
Apocalyptica released their sixth studio album, Worlds Collide, on September 17, 2007. To the surprise of many the album includes a cover of the German version of David Bowie’s song “Heroes”. Till Lindemann of Rammstein, for whom they opened on the Reise, Reise tour, was the guest vocalist on the track “Helden”. This album, Worlds Collide was released on April 15, 2008 in the United States.
Tags: Music
