APOCALYPTICA – Brisbane, Australia 27th September 2019
The booming acoustics of the Fortitude Music Hall make a great environment for a performance such as this. Tonight, heavy metal is re-scored for classical instrumentation, and yet it’s a more heartfelt and genuinely rock and roll experience than most attempts at this musical marriage are capable of.
It’s the cello combo from Finland known as Apocalyptica and tonight they perform a show that is notably thematic. This evening is entitled Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, and it does exactly what it says on the tin – and a whole lot more!
To clarify for those not aware, Plays Metallica By Four Cellos is the title of Apocalyptica’s 1996 debut album in which they re-arranged the seminal thrash band’s classics for the titular instruments. The cellos’ flinty tones were deepened by distortion pedals yet the group found an unexpected melodic flair at the heart of these songs. The record’s unexpected success and longevity allowed Apocalyptica to bloom into a fully fledged symphonic metal band, adding additional instrumentation such as drums and vocals, as well as showcasing their own skills as songwriters.
But tonight, it’s all about the ‘lica. The first portion of tonight’s performance is a faithful track-by-track performance of their debut album, with just four cellos, an array of effects and a virtuosic sense of showmanship. Of course, it sounds amazing. Apocalyptica’s rearrangements are remarkable because they allow the listener to rethink these songs. For example, when I listen to Metallica’s original recordings, I go straight for the drums and the riffs, but Apocalyptica remind you of what striking and resilient melodies these tunes have. For example, I have spent the past 24 hours humming the verse melody from Master Of Puppets as a direct result of this concert!
Led by founder Eicca Toppinen, the group veer between stately, seated performances and darting about the stage brandishing their cellos like guitars about to cop a flogging. The renditions of Fade To Black and The Unforgiven are infused with just the right amount of brooding melancholy, while Master Of Puppets, Wherever I May Roam and Sad But True roar with majestic fury.
For the second half, there’s more Metallica, but this time assisted by drummer Mikko Siren. With a combination of electronic and acoustic drums and percussion, there is now a keenly defined rhythmic backbone which propels the songs even further. Fight Fire With Fire and Battery in particular barrel along relentlessly, while the band allows the audience to appreciate some of the less lauded Metallica tunes like Ride The Lightning deep cut Escape.
The audience are seated for the show, but eventually people are out of their seats and amiably headbanging up the front. There’s a lovely, audience singalong version of Nothing Else Matters, before the group tear it up with One for a blistering finale. It’s a massively impressive show, not just for the technicality, but for the heart as well. Sure, it’s amazing hear dudes replicating Kirk Hammett’s solos on freakin’ cellos, but it’s even more rewarding just enjoying the ride. These arrangements and performances are the result of not just great musicians, but passionate fans of music as well. And get well soon, James.
Reviewer: Matt Thrower
Photographer: Davey Rintala @fastlanephoto
