I drove to work today listening to a CD I found fascinating, so much so that I decided to share it with you (well sort of bearing in mind that I can’t exactly play it to you).
The CD by Apocalyptica entitled “Plays Metallica by Four Cellos” has actually been available since 1996 – so it has taken me eighteen years to get around to hearing it. The CD features eight songs by Metallica but all performed by the Finnish quartet using cellos only.
If you are a Metallica fan, and I think it helps to fully appreciate the CD, the result is really interesting; the music is competently played and a clever and decidedly alternative take on the original thrash metal.
The track list is detailed below and it contains some complex, multi movement pieces; the fact that these tracks could be reduced to a single instrument and still work, is tribute to the quality of the original song writing. If you, like me, are unfamiliar with the cello, you’ll be impressed by the range of sound that one (well four) is able to accommodate.
To be frank, the lack of vocals (though I added my own), electric bass and twin bass drums do affect the drama of the music but it is still Metallica. In terms of an experience; in my head I liken it to the difference between a decent shower and a full on thunderstorm.
Metallica has experimented with classical music before, the S&M album features the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and is just brilliant. It proved that heavy metal and orchestral music could be combined to great effect.
I didn’t however assume that Metallica’s repertoire could be transferred to classical instrumental and still work – Apocalyptica’s interpretations suggest that it can.
For those days when banging heavy metal is not conducive to one’s mood/wellbeing (occasional though they are), there is a mentally soothing alternative.
Track listing
Enter Sandman
Master Of Puppets
Harvester Of Sorrow
The Unforgiven
Sad But True
Creeping Death
Wherever I May Roam
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
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The CD by Apocalyptica entitled “Plays Metallica by Four Cellos” has actually been available since 1996 – so it has taken me eighteen years to get around to hearing it. The CD features eight songs by Metallica but all performed by the Finnish quartet using cellos only.
If you are a Metallica fan, and I think it helps to fully appreciate the CD, the result is really interesting; the music is competently played and a clever and decidedly alternative take on the original thrash metal.
The track list is detailed below and it contains some complex, multi movement pieces; the fact that these tracks could be reduced to a single instrument and still work, is tribute to the quality of the original song writing. If you, like me, are unfamiliar with the cello, you’ll be impressed by the range of sound that one (well four) is able to accommodate.
To be frank, the lack of vocals (though I added my own), electric bass and twin bass drums do affect the drama of the music but it is still Metallica. In terms of an experience; in my head I liken it to the difference between a decent shower and a full on thunderstorm.
Metallica has experimented with classical music before, the S&M album features the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and is just brilliant. It proved that heavy metal and orchestral music could be combined to great effect.
I didn’t however assume that Metallica’s repertoire could be transferred to classical instrumental and still work – Apocalyptica’s interpretations suggest that it can.
For those days when banging heavy metal is not conducive to one’s mood/wellbeing (occasional though they are), there is a mentally soothing alternative.
Track listing
Enter Sandman
Master Of Puppets
Harvester Of Sorrow
The Unforgiven
Sad But True
Creeping Death
Wherever I May Roam
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Blog home
Blog library
Home
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