In 1993, four then totally unknown cello students that were at that time studying at the Music Academy in Helsinki and were fervent fans of rock music were asked to organize an entertainment night at a summer camp. They agreed, but offered to play their favorite compositions by Metallica.
This was the beginning of the history of a unique Finnish rock band, Apocalyptica. On that summer night their rendering of heavy rock with cellos was a real shock for the audience. After that they were invited to take part in big and small rock concerts, where their music always enjoyed great success. Former students started to realize that their amazing art may bring them real popularity. They decided to keep experimenting with rock music and perfecting their original performance.
Then a period of great tours followed, during which they played in many countries of Europe and America, such as Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, and Mexico. Their art generates vivid interest and admiration everywhere, and they acquire millions of fans. However, their real triumph came when Apocapyptica performed to 30,000 audience at the most prestigious European rock festival, Dynamo Open Air.
In 1998, the group’s second album was released, Inquisition Symphony, with most compositions performed written not by Metallica this time, but by another cult band, Sepultura. Besides, this albums includes three compositions by Eicca Toppinen. Inquisition Symphony enjoyed the same amount of success, and immediately got to the top ten best selling albums in Finland.
The popularity of the young group went up. Their compositions were used as soundtracks in Your Friends and Neighbors movie, and Dave Lombardo himself, ex-percussionist with Slayer, invited them to play with him at one of rock festivals.
2000 was the year of experiments for the band. They recorded a new album, their third, named Cult, which revealed the new facets of their talents. Most compositions of the album were written by Eicca Toppinen. The next stage of their creative experiment was the adaptation of a well-known song by Bush, Letting The Cables Sleep. A symphony orchestra was invited for its recording. In the same year a new musician, Perttu Kivilaakso, joined the band, with whom they successfully played in Moscow and St. Pete.
Recently Apocalyptica fans had the opportunity of getting acquainted with their new work, Path Vol.2, which is performed jointly with Sandra Nasic and offers a striking combination of melodious vocals with tense and coarse symphonic music.
