Finland’s renowned metal band APOCALYPTICA has got quite a reputation on the metal scene as being pioneers and innovators in their field. Listening to just one song from them is easy enough to understand why as their music is based mostly on cellos and drums, with additional vocals from guest musicians on select songs. The band’s fifth studio offering, “Apocalyptica,” came out on January 24th, 2005, via Universal Music Germany/Vertigo and bears all the trademark elements of the band’s sound.
This album is like a tale of two extremes, as some tracks are deeply melancholy while others are wild and aggressive, a frail balance that showcases the band’s virtuosity on their respective instruments but also their versatility as composers. The drums also play a big part of the album’s powerful sound design even though Mikko Sirén – who had been with APOCALYPTICA for a couple of years at this point – became an official member of the band only after the release of this album. As it happens this is the third album that features their own compositions following such classics of the scene as “Cult” (2000) and “Reflections” (2003) and after making a name for themselves with their covers of METALLICA classics on their debut album, “Plays Metallica on Four Cellos” (1996), and covers from other acts on “Inquisition Symphony” (1998).
Musically, this album, and by extension their full discography, shows what happens when talented graduates of the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Finland decide to use their skillset to play metal music employing their cellos as their main instrument. Such tracks as “Farewell,” or “Ruska” overflow with a classically-tinged beauty to them it’s impossible not to be emotionally moved by the melodies and countermelodies that add a sense of melancholy and wistfulness to the album. On the other hand, the likes of “Distraction,” “Fisheye,” or “Fatal Error” are much heavier and distorted numbers that add a sense of urgency and aggression to the fold. Then there are the in-between tracks like “Quutamo,” “Misconstruction,” or “Deathzone” that although punchy and potent have a rather sorrowful melody at their core.
The album features guest performances from Lauri Ylönen, Ville Valo, and Dave Lombardo on three tracks that are in categories all on their own. As such, the opening track and hit single “Life Burns!” features vocals from Lauri Ylönen, who also fronted (and still fronts) one of Finland’s up-and-coming rock bands of the early 2000s, THE RASMUS. Weirdly enough, this fast-paced yet catchy track features a rather HIM-esque main riff on top on which Lauri Ylönen’s vocals soar with an intensity and aggression I don’t think I have ever heard from him. It’s not for nothing that this track was featured on the soundtrack of the video game Burnout Revenge. The album also features Dave Lombardo (SLAYER) behind the drumkit for the thrashy “Betrayal/Forgiveness,” his performance giving it a solid metal backbone on which the cello melodies could explode into controlled mayhem.
The centerpiece of the album is undoubtedly the melancholy Gothic ballad “Bittersweet,” a wistful track where the distinct voices of Lauri Ylonen and Ville Valo work in tandem to bring a touching tale of unrequited love to life. It’s probably one of the best collaborations to have happened on the Finnish metal scene as Ville’s suave and grave delivery contrasts and complements Lauri’s intense and dramatic vocals while the backing orchestration is dark and ominous. “Bittersweet” is not just one of the best Gothic ballads ever but a timeless classic that still hits all the right emotions twenty years after its initial release. The addition of vocals on these two tracks (well, three if you count the hidden track “En Vie”) displeased some fans of the band’s instrumental-based sound but it proved to be a clever commercial tactic as the album fared really well in Europe as both THE RASMUS and HIM had conquered the European charts.
All-in-all, “Apocalyptica” is among the most brutal and aggressive albums in the band’s discography to date as the cellos are pushed to the extreme by the trio’s formidable talent and zeal. At the same time, the album is also pretty atmospheric, swaying graciously between heavy, angry moments and more melancholy or even gloomy ones. Overall, the main merit of “Apocalyptica” is that it showcases that classical music and heavy metal can produce some extraordinary outputs under the guiding hands of passionate musicians.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
01. Life Burns! (feat. Lauri Ylönen)
02. Quutamo
03. Distraction
04. Bittersweet (feat. Lauri Ylönen and Ville Valo)
05. Misconstruction
06. Fisheye
07. Farewell
08. Fatal Error
09. Betrayal/Forgiveness
10. Ruska
11. Deathzone
12. En Vie
Lineup
- Eicca Toppinen – cello, programming
- Perttu Kivilaakso – cello, programming
- Paavo Lötjönen – cello
Label
Universal Music Germany/Vertigo
