Apocalyptica

Founded in Helsinki in 1993 by students at the Sibelius Academy, Apocalyptica began as a cello quartet before evolving into a lineup centred on three cellists, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen and Perttu Kivilaakso, joined by drummer Mikko Sirén. The Finnish band established itself with a distinctive approach to instrumental metal, combining classical compositional techniques, the rhythmic tension of heavy metal and the cello as its lead instrument. Following its 1996 debut album Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, devoted to Metallica covers, Apocalyptica gradually developed a repertoire of original material on Inquisition Symphony in 1998, followed by Cult in 2000 and Reflections in 2003. The band went on to broaden its sound, regularly incorporating drums, guest vocals and collaborations with artists such as Nina Hagen, Lauri Ylönen, Ville Valo, Corey Taylor and Cristina Scabbia. Apocalyptica has also moved between metal stages, festivals with broader musical programmes and more orchestral projects, such as Wagner Reloaded: Live in Leipzig in 2013. Its other studio albums include Apocalyptica in 2005, Worlds Collide in 2007, 7th Symphony in 2010, Shadowmaker in 2015 and Cell-0 in 2020, the last of which marked a return to an entirely instrumental format.