Apocalyptica announces new tribute album to Metallica: Cover of “The Four Horsemen” available

Apocalyptica is thrilled to announce a stunning follow-up to their legendary debut record. “Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2” will continue the journey that began in 1996 when cellists from Helsinki’s world-renowned Sibelius Academy played symphonic tribute to the biggest of the big four – heavy metal titans Metallica. For their ninth record the classically-minded dynamos are returning to their roots to bring a legendary story full circle. It also features a host of surprises beginning with a unique collaboration.

Lead single “The Four Horsemen“, taken from Metallica’s 1983 debut “Kill ‘Em All” will feature Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo, setting the scene for a compendium of deep cuts and brilliant highlights spanning Metallica’s staggering 40 year career, and there are more surprises to come.

Founding band-leader Eicca Toppinen comments:

“It’s the coolest thing. We didn’t push – it was offered. We played the first album live and it was so much more fun and exciting than we expected, so we got the idea to do something like the first album, but we couldn’t do it in exactly the same way – we needed to challenge ourselves and bring a totally new perspective to the original energy and emotion of Metallica.”

Lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso adds:

“We’ve been talking about making another Metallica album for around 20 years, as there were still so many great songs we wanted to play! We waited for the perfect moment to do it. Thinking of that teenage me who is now getting to play his favorite tracks gives me goosebumps!“

This album will be the band’s final studio release with Apocalyptica’s long-time member, drummer Mikko Sirén, who amicably departed after the new album’s completion. “Plays Metallica Vol. 2″ was produced by longtime collaborator and studio supremo Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Tool) and will be released via new label Throwdown Entertainment on June 7th.

Tracklisting:

1. Ride the Lightning
2. St. Anger
3. The Unforgiven II
4. Blackened
5. The Call of Ktulu (in memory of Cliff Burton)
6. The Four Horsemen (ft. Rob Trujillo)
7. Holier Than Thou
8. To Live Is To Die
9. One
10. One (Instrumental)

Apocalyptica is:
Eicca Toppinen
Perttu Kivilaakso
Paavo Lötjönen

The band will tour Europe fall 2024.  Public onsale for tickets will be Friday, February 23.  They will offer upgrades to regular tickets for VIP experiences via the band’s website.

Full tour dates:

• 08 Jun  FI Helsinki – Ice Hall (public on sale 26.2.)
• 13 Sep AE Dubai – TBA
• 19 Sep TR Istanbul – Zorlu PSM
• 21 Sep SE Stockholm – Kagelbanan
• 22 Sep NO Oslo – Rockefeller
• 23 Sep DK Copenhagen – Amager Bio
• 24 Sep DK Aarhus – Train
• 26 Sep DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
• 27 Sep NL Tilburg – O13
• 29 Sep UK Manchester – Manchester Albert Hall
• 30 Sep UK London – Royal Albert Hall
• 01 Oct IE Dublin – Olympia Theatre
• 03 Oct UK Glasgow – SWG3
• 04 Oct UK Nottingham – Rock City
• 05 Oct UK Cardiff – Great Uni Hall
• 07 Oct DE Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
• 08 Oct DE Munich – Tonhalle
• 09 Oct DE Cologne – E-Werk
• 10 Oct AT Vienna – Gasometer
• 11 Oct CZ Prague – 02 Universe
• 12 Oct DE Dresden – Alter Schlachthof
• 13 Oct DE Berlin – Columbiahalle
• 15 Oct PL Krakow – Studio
• 16 Oct PL Warsaw – Progresja
• 18 Oct LT Palanga – Concert Hall
• 19 Oct LT Kaunus – Zalgiris Arena
• 20 Oct LT Vilnius – Compensa Hall
• 21 Oct LV Riga – Arena
• 22 Oct EE Tallinn – Alexella Hall
• 11 Nov LX Esch Alzette – Rockhal
• 12 Nov BE Brussels – AB
• 13 Nov FR Paris – L’Olympia
• 14 Nov FR Bordeaux – Le Rocher
• 15 Nov ES Bilbao – Santana 27
• 17 Nov PT Lisbon – LAV
• 18 Nov ES Madrid – La Riviera
• 19 Nov ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz
• 20 Nov FR Marseille – Espace Julien
• 21 Nov IT Milan – Alcatraz
• 22 Nov CH Lausanne – Metropole
• 23 Nov CH Zurich – Komplex
• 25 Nov HU Budapest – Barba Negra
• 26 Nov RO Cluj – Form Space
• 27 Nov RO Bucharest – Sala Palatului
• 28 Nov BG Sofia – NDK (National Palace of Culture)
• 29 Nov MK Skopje – Boris Trajovski Arena
• 30 Nov RS Belgrade – Hangar