“Worlds are Colliding and I’m Writing Reviews out of a Tub”

Album: Worlds Collide
Artist: Apocalyptica
Year: 2007
Genre: Classical Metal
Label: Jive Records/Zomba Label Group/Sony BMG

Apocalyptica is something of a musical phenomenon. They started out as four cello players with a taste for heavy metal, specifically Metallica, which is how their first album Plays Metallica By Four Cellos came about in the mid 90’s. Many, many years onwards, the band has lost one of their cellos, gained a drummer, started writing their own compositions and incorporating guest vocalists and instruments. Their most recent album, Worlds Collide, is a fantastic outing into their “classical metal” leanings. By the time of this album, the band has found a permanent drummer in Mikko Sirén and their cohesion can be felt throughout the album. Any naysayers on the idea of “Cello Metal” should be silenced by the first and title track on the album. Alternating between metal churnings and graceful cello solos, the band is at their peak. This album has some quirks, however, most of those being the tacks with vocals. Starting on their album Reflections, the band began having guests come and sing over their songs. Some of these are very successful. For example, on Reflections, the band and Nina Hagen performed a powerful cover of Rammstein's Seeman (Sailor.) But with this album, the vocal tracks can be hit or miss. When they miss, they sometimes miss badly. In this case, I’m talking about the track “I’m Not Jesus” which features Corey Taylor of Slipknot… yeah, I don’t know what they where thinking either. The song’s subject matter isn’t something I’d like to discuss in print and Taylor’s vocals, while fine for his own band(s), make Apocalyptica sound like Slipknot, which isn’t something I’d like to hear, ever.

The English language doesn’t seem to fit Apocalyptica very well. Another vocal track, “I Don’t Care,” which features Adam Gontier of godknowswhatband, is probably the worst track on the album and sounds like a bad emo-metal hybrid. I also wasn’t thrilled with “S.O.S. (Anything but Love)” on which Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil sang. This one wasn’t as weak as the previously mentioned tracks, but it doesn’t sound like Apocalyptica, it sounds like Nightwish or something ridiculously pretentious like that. I’d have to say that the only strong vocal track on the album is “Helden” on which Till Lindman of Rammstein and Apocalyptica finally get a chance to work together. The song is a German version of the David Bowie classic “Heroes” and if that sounds iffy, it’s not, it’s brilliant (and did I mention German?) The rest of the album is polished (tarnished?) Metal that everyone (every Metal aficionado) should appreciate. An especially strong track is “Last Hope,” on which Dave Lombardo (drummer of Slayer, who guested on their two previous albums) makes a return appearance. The track is speedy and powerful and showcases some of the man's finest drumming and some of Apocalyptica’s heaviest… dare I call them “riffs?” Overall, Worlds Collide is a mixed bag, but it is a bag worth reaching into if only for the instrumental tracks and “Helden.” It’s a very good album but if you’ve never heard Apocalyptica before, this probably isn’t the best place to start. For that I suggest Inquisition Symphony or Reflections. But those of you who are more familiar, pick this up, it’ll be worth it.