Apocalyptica - Cult Album Reviews & Song Lyrics

BROWSE ARTISTS

Apocalyptica Picture

Apocalyptica

Top Lyrics By
Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica Cult Album Cover

Apocalyptica "Cult" album

- Release date : September 2000 -

Cult is Apocalyptica's third album, released in 2000 with a special-edition released in 2001 containing an extra disc. This album also saw a small trend starting in their single releases, as both "Hope" and "Path" have second versions called "Path Vol. 2" and "Hope Vol. 2" with lyrics sung by Sandra Nasic and Matthias Sayer, respectively. Here, Apocalyptica also started using distortion effects much more boldly and frequently. There are some versions of the first release with "Path Vol. 2" as the first track and "Path" as the fourteenth. This is the last Apocalyptica album to feature Max Lilja on cello.

"Cult" album tracks and lyrics

"Cult" album reviews

Fans who remember Apocalyptica from its first two albums might have suspected that the four Finnish cellists would fade into obscurity after their stock of Metallica covers ran dry. Sure, the shtick worked well while it lasted, but the irony of classically trained cellists covering heavy metal will only hold listeners' attention for so long. This is why, on their third album, they've taken some risks. The ensemble has grown to feature a double bass, orchestral percussion, and distorted cellos. Plus, they stick strickly to their own songs, and, at a time when heavy metal has gone the way of dodo birds and disco, they've refused to abandon their roots. Cult, Apocalyptica's third album, is a meld of late-'80s melodramatic heavy metal and late-1800s romanticism. When it's all said and done, these Finns can flat out play. "Struggle" opens up with eerie insect noises and then pounces into a section that sounds eerily like Sepultura. Some of the harmonies on "Pray" are so cleverly placed they can be mistaken for a human voice for the first few notes. Every song is an epic, and every song is dark and heavy. It's not old school Metallica, but it is some of the most intelligent, original heavy metal being made today.

*** by Kieran McCarthy, All Music Guide ***

The influences of classical music and the use of symphonic elements has been very apparent in Heavy Metal music for a number of years now. One can find this when listening to the music of Nightwish and most specifically Therion. However, this is taken to different levels by Finland's Apocalyptica for this band is not only classically trained but is also fronted by three cellists. If you had never heard of them before I can tell you that it is very interesting music and the overall presentation on the CD is something that merits a listen. The mixing of classical instruments in Metal has also seen its presentation in albums by Metallica and KISS who recorded live concerts with full symphony orchestras. This practice of being accepted by such major artists has led bands who do this the way Apocalyptica does be taken a little more seriously. That is a good thing for there is a lot of music out there and its all the more interesting when something unique is the case.

There are some fine originals on the CD such as “Path Vol 2” which is nice and heavy and includes a vocal by Sandra Nasic (from Guano Apes) to “Romance” which is a bit slower. Besides their compositions you will find a rendition of Edvard Grieg's "Hall Of The Mountain King". Savatage fans will remember this track from the album that bore the same name yet titled "Prelude To Madness" on the recording. Apocalyptica is also known as the band that performs Metallica on cello. The two covers from the influential thrashers are brought to the table and should spark the fire of interest a little more based on how well they were executed. You will never hear “Fight Fire With Fire” the same again after this listen. The members of Apocalyptica are Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen, Perttu Kivilaakso and Max Lilja who are also joined by session players for the recording. If you are open-minded enough to accept the genres of Classical and Folk music as they continue to find their niche in Traditional Metal then this CD is worth your attention. Most of this CD is enjoyable and the Metallica renditions are very well thought out and make this a cool piece to own just the same. The CD is enhanced and comes with a video of “Path Vol. 2” as well.

*** by Ken Pierce, Piercing Metal ***