Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos CD

APOCALYPTICA PLAYS METALLICA BY FOUR CELLOS features instrumental cello arrangements of Metallica songs.

The premise of a cello-playing four piece (from Finland, no less) performing the music of Metallica may seem outrageous at first, but much of the metal gods' repertoire translates surprisingly well into this "classical" reading. And while Apocalyptica chooses to concentrate on more recent hits like "Enter Sandman," "Sad But True" and "Wherever I May Roam" for obvious commercial purposes, it is Metallica's earlier, more complex compositions, like "Master of Puppets," "Creeping Death," and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," which actually work best in this scenario. The quartet's love and understanding of the music is the real key here, and their attention to detail and technically flawless performance will no doubt satisfy even the most skeptical of fans. And while it is unlikely that this album will interest non-Metallica fans, it obviously inspired the band themselves to explore the classical direction on their own terms with 1999's S&M album. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Four long haired classical music students who donothin' but rockin' Metallica covers with their 18th centurycellos. Metallica's Lars Ulrich is a big fan of the group,and the've been in MTV news recently. Eight tracks, allcovers: 'Enter Sandman', 'Master Of Puppets', 'Harvester OfSorrow', 'The Unforgiven', 'Sad But True', 'Creeping Death','Wherever I May Roam' and 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'.

Apocalyptica: Max Lilja, Antero Manninen, Paavo Lotjonen, Eicca Toppinen (cello).

Personnel: Antero Manninen, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen, Max Lilja (cello).

Photographer: Juha Laine.Entertainment Weekly (4/11/97, pp.84-85) - "...a vicious delight that retains the raucous spirit of the originals....Way better--and louder--than any novelty record." - Rating: B