Everybody loves covers! Especially covers of iconic songs by great bands. What is better than a single cover version of a classic track, but an entire album of them? What’s even better than that? Well, how about two albums of covers of a bunch of classics!

Yes, we’re talking about Apocalyptica, and we’re talking about Apocalyptica covering Metallica, which they did to great effect on their debut album twenty-five years ago! They have made a career of covering classics in Thrash Metal, introducing thrash fans to classical music on a new scale. while slowly creating their own repertoire of incredible original music, including a few hits along the way. What we often say about cover songs is that there are two approaches to take; a direct copy just redone beat for beat, or making those songs truly your own. Obviously and speaking of the classical metal masters of the Cello from Finland, we are talking reinterpretation. But they ratchet that up significantly on the sequel to their classic debut, Plays Metallica Vol 2., which is releasing via their own new imprint, Throwdown Entertainment.

The band goes whole hog when it comes to stepping up their game and repurposing some of these classes, and yes, you gatekeeping purists – this album is not for you and none of this bands’ music has been for you because you don’t enjoy fun, orgasms, Kevin Smith movies, or cellos. This new album reveals a band that continues to level up not just their talent, but their approach to every facet of what they do. This might be more impressive than the music itself. Beginning with a ripping cover of “Ride The Lightning!” We are treated to a rollicking version of the track which is a fine way to start.

One of the best things Apocalyptica has ever done has been to interpret lead guitars, which is a natural 1:1 since the Cello is a fine doppelganger for electric guitar. Of particular note, all the solos on this record really resonate when played on Cello. There’s just no way to deny how exciting it is hearing this executed perfectly track after track. The second track is the much-maligned “St. Anger,” even though Lars Ulrich thinks time’s going to tell on that one. Not sure if they’re taking the piss out of the fans, or not, but they even replicate the plinky and hella annoying snare drum perfectly. I’m not sure it’s really a snare drum, or if it’s a Cello part with an effect on it. Either way, I laughed out loud in a weird deja vu to 2003. I do particularly like the Hardcore style ending when they bring the riff back, but slower, which maybe Metallica ought to do live if they’re going to keep playing it. 

I love hearing “Unforgiven II” – another partly maligned hit song by the band, but it is actually a fantastic piece of music in its own right. After a thrashtastic version of “Blackened” – we are treated to the “Call of Kthulu (In Memory Of Cliff Burton).” The bass guitar you are hearing on the track is, in fact, the original bass tracks of Clifford Lee Burton, provided with permission from the band from Metallica and Cliff’s family. I don’t want to see wholesale artists who have passed away have their music repurposed in this manner like Carrie Fisher was in Rogue One, however, it does work beautifully here. More Metallica guest appearances are featured throughout the album. Robert Trujillo’s distorted bass tones and wah can be heard on “The Four Horsemen” – a solid rendering.  

Musical Easter Eggs pop-up further on “Holier Than Thou” with a clever nod to “Enter Sandman” at the coda part. The end of the album has two versions of the classic “One,” which the band had done a more standard version of back in the day. Completely reimagining the track with spoken word from none other than Mr. James Hetfield, we get wilder experimental takes with tribal drums, what sounds like autotune or a Vocorder for the ending vocals, and some alien chanting akin to Pink Floyd at their most high, obtuse and not good (you know it’s sad but true). Definitely, an interesting track, but the reactions might vary from fan to fan if it really works, or not. There is also a spare instrumental of the same track, sans James, as the album closer.

Some credit is due for not just rehashing the same stuff again, and if you are gonna reach for the stars, be as bold as Apocalyptica is trying to be here.

Buy the album here:
https://bmg.lnk.to/PlaysMetallicaVol.2PR

8 / 10
KEEFY
Follow Keefy’s work here