Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos

Apocalyptica | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana Island
• ASIN: B000001EMW
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,240 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > Progressive Metal
  • #37 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Take four cellos, mix with a quartet of Finnish classical-music students who possess a note-for-note knowledge of metal giants Metallica, and beat gently. Viola! You have a truly stirring album that provides tangible evidence of the dramatic passages and intricate arrangements that classical music and heavy metal share. On "Enter Sandman" and "Creeping Death," the exquisite playing of the cellists intensifies the darkness and emotion of Metallica. In the process the strength and versatility of the group's songwriting is given more credence. Perhaps the most remarkable element of the album is the faithfulness that's shown to the original songs, right down to faultlessly following the vocal melodies. With Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, Apocalyptica have proved that the universal language of good music is unbound by genre. Here is a clever concept brilliantly realized. --Steffan Chirazi

Product Description

Limited Edition import-only vinyl LP repressing of this album. Universal. 2007. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cellos and Metallica...an awesome combination!, April 1, 2000

By 

Chris Meyer (Holland, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos (Audio CD)

Being a cellist and a Metallica fan, this album was a perfect match when I was introduced to it by a friend. Many of my friends (and even my parents!) have listened to it and enjoyed it. I haven't heard a bad thing about it from anybody who's listened to the album. "The Unforgiven" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" are probably the best songs on the album, but the whole disc is great! The cello is a very versitile instrument, and the guys from Apocalyptica (who are classically trained musicians, and big Metallica fans) give a stellar perfomance. They show the HUGE range of the cello (and their talent), and still keep the spirit of Metallica alive in the music. My die-hard Metallica fan friends love this stuff as well as my non-metal liking friends. This is an all-in-all GREAT album that, in my experience, can really be appreciated by almost anybody. Check out their second album, Inquisition Symphony, as well!

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So good, it's scary, June 26, 2000

By 

Marquis In Spades (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos (Audio CD)

Take the music of Metallica. Definitely something to be impressed by in the first place, Metallica has created some of the best songs ever made. Now take four cello players from Finland who play Metallica's music. Does it sound like it'll end up cheesy? Yes. Is it? Definitely not.

From the opening track, "Enter Sandman," to the closing, "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," "Plays Metallica by Four Cellos" is an excellent album. The best song on the album is "The Unforgiven," which sounds so good on the cello, it's hard to believe. These guys seem to have a guitarish quality while playing their cellos. The cellos actually do sound like guitars at some points. No matter what the critics say, "Master of Puppets" will also be another one of my favorites on this album, just because it sounded so close to the original and because the ending is so damn cool, you can't help but say this, "These guys rock."

Apocalyptica is a group of four very talented cello players. One listen and you'll become hooked. This sounds even darker than Metallica's own music with the absence of percussion on some of the songs. This is an amazing album that's quite worth the money.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for First CD, August 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos (Audio CD)

The only reason I would have to take away a star from this GREAT cd is that I've heard their two more recent releases, Inquisition Symphony and Cult where they have a more evolved and heavier sound plus original songs. But except for that this is a wonderful cd. I play cello and like Metallica as well, but when I heard about Plays Metallica By Four Cellos I was a bit confused at first and didn't think such a combination was possible until I listened to some of the songs. All I can say is that I was amazed!! WOW never have I heard anything so great!My favorites on this cd are Welcome Home (Sanitarium) and The Unforgiven because both of these fit the cello soooo perfectly!But I also have to recommend their other two cd's as well which I think are even better than this one, which is their first release. But it is still totally a great cd and I would recommend it to anyone who just plain enjoys music!