Apocalyptica bring unique blend of classical and heavy metal to intimate Eagle Theater

7-18-10 Originally published on Examiner.com by Tracy Heck

Finnish band Apocalyptica are a strange breed;  a band formed by four classically trained cellists who decided to get together and perform Metallica covers for fun but found that their unique blend of classical and heavy metal music had a strong following.

Hollow Drive on stage at the Eagle Theater 7-16-10

Tracy Heck

Over the years the band has gone from playing covers of their favorite metal bands to writing their own arrangements and bringing in a number of rock's biggest vocalists to accompany them.  Their last album, 2007's Worlds Collide, is the one that began to break them in the United States but the band has had a huge following overseas for many years.

Today's lineup of cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Siren are preparing to release their seventh album, 7th Symphony, on August 24.

Friday night, Apocalyptica made a stop at the Eagle Theater in Pontiac for a small intimate show that included new and old material.  The crowd was an interesting mix of ages and styles but they all had one thing in common:  they all were rabid followers of the band as evidenced by their clear recognition of all of their songs whether instrumental or vocal tracks.

Local metal band Hollow Drive opened the show with a rare acoustic performance that was more hilarious than anything as the band spent a lot of time laughing at themselves as they worked their way through performing their songs in a new way.

The band even pulled out a couple of Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God covers which greatly amused the crowd as vocalist Ryan urged them to pick up one of their albums to see what they really sound like.

It took awhile for Apocalyptica to take the stage but by the time they did the floor and balcony had packed in.

The band took the stage to the strains of their cover of Metallica's "Wherever I May Roam" and immediately showed why they are known as one of the world's top live acts.

Apocalyptica has a energy and stage presence that makes it hard to turn away from. 
Their talent shines through on every song as they bring not only what they learned at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki but their own enthusiasm for the metal genre marrying the two in a amazing mix of symphonic metal.  Each member of the band brings their own personality to the performances. 

Band founder Toppinen is the spokesman for the group introducing the songs in his own unique way while Kivilaakso is the most animated and joker of the group.
Lotionen spends most of his time as the crowd rouser, urging them to sing or clap along while drummer Siren brings everything together and was clearly enjoying his larger role in the band's latest music.
Finnish rock singer Tipe Johnson has been touring with the band as a vocalist for their tracks that feature guest stars and Friday night he did a great job not only on new single "End of Me", which features Bush singer Gavin Rossdale but also on popular tracks like "I'm Not Jesus" which featured Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor.

Set highlights included an amazing version of their song "Bittersweet" without vocals.  The band seemed to be amused as the crowd decided to sing along on their own.  New instrumental tracks "Beautiful" and "Sacra" also stood out. 

"Beautiful" featured Lotionen leaving his drum kit to pick up a cello of his own, which stunned the crowd who were unaware that he even played. 

The band closed their set with covers of Metallica's "Seek and Destroy" and Sepultura's "Inquisition Symphony". 

Apocalyptica returned to the stage with Johnson for an encore of track "I Don't Care", which originally featured Three Days Grace vocalist Adam Gontier.  The song's haunting feel worked perfectly in the small venue.

The band closed out the show with a rousing performance of Metallica's "Enter Sandman", with the members singing along with the crowd and their thunderous performance of Edvard Grieg's classical piece "Hall of the Mountain King".

As usual, after the show the members of Apocalyptica came out to spend time with their fans.
The band will be doing a longer U.S. tour in the Fall so if you have not gotten a chance to experience them live, make sure you take the chance to see them!  The experience will be unlike any other.