Review of Apocalyptica - Cult

The premise: Four incredibly skilled and classically tutored cellists decide to meld their flagrant classical style with a very metalistic approach. Drawing great inspiration from Metallica, the quartet consisting of Eicca Toppinen, Max Lilja, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso dabble under lock and key with covenant Metallica covers. While showcasing their findings of "Heavy Cello" to their peers. They find the response to be nothing less of positive. Thus proving they may be onto something with their unique blend of classical cello meets modern day metal. This gives them the confidence to play a live show consisting of their cello-tized Metallica covers. Low and behold a representative from Zen Garden Records is in the crowd and suggests they immediately record this peculiar combination of bizarre. They record one album basically consisting of Metallica covers in 96 and one more album two years later consisting of Metallica covers as well as Sepultura, Faith No More and Pantera covers. A huge response transpires and Apocalyptica accumulate records sales in the upper hundred thousands. Finland finds themselves boasting home to their new crown jewel, four cello players with a vision for the eccentric named Apocalyptica. Cult, Apocalyptica's third release is their first attempt at primarily writing and recording their own music, with eleven of the fourteen tracks consisting of original material. The first track, Path Vol. 2 is the only song within Cult that supports vocals. Scrupulously arranged and gracefully performed. Sandra Nasic pours an emotive vocal direction of prowess, guilelessly. The entire feel of Cult is very dark and enigmatic. The combinations of sounds achieved through use of the cello sits almost in the realm of discerning. Leaving an almost empty feeling deep in the recess of you soul. While you could pick apart several of the compositions and compare it through different genres of metal. I would have to say my description is somewhere in the sphere of gothic. I have now listened to Apocalyptica's Cult at least ten times if not more and somewhere within those listens it has now sunk it's teeth-of-obscure directly into my psyche. With four trained cellists manning the duties of song writing, obviously the musicianship within Cult is flawless. The indefinable atmosphere is beyond original. The sound is surreal and transcendental. Their vision seems almost of melancholy and murk. It taunts your emotions and questions your will. Bottom Line: Very bluntly, I will state this disc is definitely not for everyone. At first I wasn't even sure why it was labeled metal. After several listens though I did see the core of the heavy inscribed everywhere. It comes down to your perception, your tastes and the desire to look outside of the ever-consuming world of blastbeats and abdominal screams. If this is something you are interested in exploring than by all means get you ass out and walk through the world of the utmost darkest classical cello meets metal.

Release Details

Apocalyptica

Cult

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