Album Reviews
Worlds Collide | Apocalyptica
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Most people have listened to music containing classical string instruments, whether it was as a complement to a rock/metal band or as an added effect used by groups in various progressive genres, or simply in the form of classical music. But have you ever encountered a group in which the strings are the band, and they play some damn good metal? Well I had not… then I heard Apocalyptica.
Apocalyptica is a Finnish group that began as a cello quartet cover band. Their debut album was a Metallica tribute, and subsequent releases included covers of other 80’s giants such as Pantera and Slayer. The group now consists of 3 cellists and a drummer, and with Worlds Collide (2007), they finally put together a solid album of originals. Well there is one cover, David Bowie’s Heroes, sung in German by Till Lindemann of Rammstein. Other guest vocalists include Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia and Corey Taylor of Slipknot.
OK, enough with all that name dropping, now let’s get to the actual music. In my estimation, this album contains elements of classical music, modern rock, and symphonic/thrash/power metals. What’s amazing is that they achieve such a robust metal sound without a guitar (except for one song) or a bass. But when you think about it, it actually makes sense. The cello is large enough that, when plucked, is a viable substitute for the bass, but also has a high enough register that, when played with a bow, can be an alternative to the guitar. And they do a superb job of blending the classic woody timbre of the cello with metal effects.
Upon first listening to this album, what immediately struck me is that classical string instruments are uncanny at creating tension and suspension. I feel that I must have noticed this at some point in the past, while listening to Metallica’s S&M or some Gershwin, but it perhaps was never as apparent as when I heard Worlds Collide. I chose the first audio clip (from the title track) to capture this characteristic. The second excerpt is from Ion, which is my favorite song from this collection, drums being the deciding factor. I think these clips pretty much speak for themselves, so if they arouse any intrigue in you, this album is certainly worth a closer listen.
I do have two main criticisms of this album. First of all, the track entitled I Don’t Care is decidedly mainstream and cliche. It didn’t surprise me, however, to learn that this particular song was produced by a different person than the rest of the album. I suspect this may have been pushed on the band by their record company so they’d have a radio single, but this is just a theory. Secondly, tracks 6 and 9 have very nice melodies but the background parts can feel repetitive at times. I still think they’re good songs, but more inspired drumming – or maybe even some vocals – could have made them great. These points considered, I liked this album after the very first listen, and it has grown on me steadily since.
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