Apocalyptica is a Finnish cello-metal band formed in 1993 at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, built around three classically trained cellists - Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen and Perttu Kivilaakso. They broke through in 1996 with 'Plays Metallica by Four Cellos', a debut that earned them an opening slot for Metallica just five months after release, and have since sold over six million records across ten studio albums. Over the years they moved from Metallica covers into original material, collaborating with vocalists such as Corey Taylor, Till Lindemann and Lauri Ylönen, and in 2024 released 'Plays Metallica, Vol. 2' - featuring Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo - to mark nearly three decades of their unique cello-driven sound.
Apocalyptica performed at Wacken Open Air 2025, one of the world's largest metal festivals, on a bill that also included Machine Head, Papa Roach and Gojira.
Apocalyptica completed a North American headline tour in support of 'Plays Metallica, Vol. 2', with Nita Strauss as support act, running from February 6 in Washington D.C. through March 8 in Houston.
The band's album 'Cult' (2000) was reissued as an Amber Marbled Double Vinyl, making the pivotal record available to a new generation of collectors.
Apocalyptica released 'Plays Metallica, Vol. 2' on June 7, 2024, featuring Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo on 'The Four Horsemen' and James Hetfield on a reimagining of 'One'.
Longtime drummer Mikko Sirén departed Apocalyptica amicably after the completion of 'Plays Metallica, Vol. 2', ending a run that began with live shows in 2003.
Finnish group Apocalyptica presents interpretations of classic Metallica songs performed on violin and cello.
POWERWOLF headline the open-air Loreley Freilichtbühne alongside Apocalyptica, Orden Ogan, and Serenity for a full-scale metal show above the Rhine.