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The Gauntlet: Apocalyptica |
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Apocalyptica Album Review
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Tracklist
1. Prologue (Apprehension)
2. No Education
3. Faraway
4. Somewhere Around Nothing
5. Drive
6. Cohkka
7. Conclusion
8. Resurrection
9. Heat
10. Cortège
11. Pandemonium
12. Toreador II
13. Epilogue (Relief)
14. Seemann (album version)
15. Faraway Vol. 2 (extended version)
16. Deep Down Ascend (demo)
17. Kellot (demo)
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Apocalyptica was a fascinating idea from the onset, the idea of performing thrash metal on cello is one of the most unique concepts to hit metal in the history of the genre. The complexity of thrash does lend itself to classical music, with its swift tempos and scalar runs and when you incorporate the cello as an instrument into the equation, you are left with a product that is entertaining and most certainly, a deviation from the norm. On 'Reflections', the trio melds thrash metal with classical chamber music and at times, industrial sounding beats. For the better part of the record, the cellos are in the foreground of the mix which makes for an interesting sound to say the least. Dave Lombardo (Fantomas, Slayer, Grip Inc.) makes his presence known at various points throughout the record, most notably on the stellar track 'No Education'. The three Finns are adept at creating awe inspiring harmonic arrangements that press the boundaries of what metal is considered to be with a tremendous amount of success. Apocalyptica enjoy a wide supporting cast on 'Reflections', but the spotlight shines squarely on the three maestros throughout the entire affair. There are seventeen pieces in total on the release, but when you listen to the record, the music really just blurs into one gigantic, magnificent song and the album is best taken in full when considering it for its artistic merit and relevance. Highlights of the album however, include the soaring 'Somewhere Around Nothing', the edgy, pulsating 'Resurrection' and the thrash paced 'No Education'. Having matured as performers and composers since the days of the 'Plays Metallica By Four Cellos' record, the group have learned how to take this music and make it work in a frame that would be equally suitable in a moshpit or an elevator, if that is possible. Certainly their approach brings further credibility to the art form of thrash metal as a whole. It is easy to see a lot of University music instructors warming up to the genre when it is presented in such a fashion. Truth be told, Eicca Toppinen, Perttu Kivilaakso and Paavo Lotjonen are expanding the horizons of several types of music at once with their compelling compositions and this is an album that should bring a great deal of pleasure to not only metal fans, but music lovers in general.
Review by: Erin Fox
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