Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica emerged from Helsinki, Finland as a multi-platinum symphonic metal ensemble. The group first assembled as a metal tribute quartet consisting of cellists Eicca Toppinen, Antero Manninen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Max Lilja alongside jazz drummer Mikko Sirén, all of whom had crossed paths at the Sibelius Academy. Once they began performing together, the musicians developed an original neoclassical metal approach that dispensed with standard guitars entirely. Their intense sonic identity, frequently augmented by additional players, draws on refined classical methods, an ability to recast abrasive and percussive riffs alongside spiraling leads, and layered textural depth, all showcased on the 1996 breakthrough Plays Metallica by Four Cellos. Over time the ensemble expanded its textural and dynamic range beyond early thrash metal roots into progressive symphonic territory, a progression audible on Reflections from 2007, Cult from 2014, and Shadowmaker from 2015. After extensive international touring the band captured Cell-0, which surfaced in 2020. They followed with Live in Helsinki St. John's Church in 2023 and, in 2024, delivered the long-awaited Plays Metallica, Vol. 2.

The founding members first connected during their 1993 studies at Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy. Through initial rehearsals, arrangement practice, and local performances they gained global attention in 1996 via Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, merging their conservatory training with a shared passion for heavy metal. The record resonated equally with classical listeners and metal audiences. Two years afterward they returned with Inquisition Symphony, which contained interpretations of songs by Faith No More and Pantera. Manninen departed shortly thereafter and was succeeded by Perttu Kivilaanso. Double bass and percussion entered the lineup for the 2001 release Cult, consisting solely of original compositions, and again for 2003’s Reflections, which featured Slayer’s Dave Lombardo on drums. After Lilja exited, Mikko Sirén became the permanent drummer. Once Reflections appeared in revised form with an added track featuring new wave vocalist Nina Hagen, the self-titled Apocalyptica arrived in 2005, followed in 2006 by the retrospective Amplified: A Decade of Reinventing the Cello. The band reconvened in the studio the next year for Worlds Collide, on which Rammstein’s Till Lindemann delivered a German-language rendition of David Bowie’s “Helden.” Apocalyptica issued their Live album in 2008 and the exploratory 7th Symphony in 2010, the latter featuring appearances by Gavin Rossdale, Shinedown’s Brent Smith, Slayer’s Dave Lombardo, Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosley, and Gojira’s Joe Duplantier. In 2013 they presented Wagner Reloaded: Live in Leipzig, and in 2015 they unveiled their eighth studio album Shadowmaker, which relied exclusively on Scars on Broadway singer and guitarist Franky Perez rather than a rotating roster of vocalists. Throughout 2017 and much of 2018 the group toured globally to mark the twentieth anniversary of their debut. Plays Metallica: A Live Performance came out in spring 2019 while the musicians were already composing and tracking the studio album Cell-0, which reached listeners in 2020.

Quarantine restrictions prevented conventional touring, so Apocalyptica performed and rehearsed remotely via the internet before resuming live dates at the close of 2021. In 2023 they gathered again with producer Joe Barresi to lay down Plays Metallica, Vol. 2. Their February single, a version of “The Four Horsemen,” arrived ahead of the album and included Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Shortly before the April release, Apocalyptica disclosed that the record would mark Sirén’s final outing with the band, describing the parting as both cordial and tinged with melancholy.