LIVE REVIEW: Apocalyptica @ The Great Hall, Cardiff

APOCALYPTICA is a well known name in the metal world, rising to fame by playing METALLICA songs on cellos. Since then, they have released six studio albums of original material, but they are now returning to their roots with Plays Metallica Vol. 2. Distorted Sound heads to the Cardiff date at The Great Hall to witness the symphony in living colour.

First up, and the only support act, is THE RAVEN AGE, a gothic rock quintet. Their more mellow sound works well as a lead-in to what’s coming with the main act. Their set list is filled with sorrowful tracks, but occasional heavy riffs and powerful vocals add some edge to their music. Four-part harmonies also create a nice ambiance throughout the show.

With a band like APOCALYPTICA, much of the audience is there primarily for them. Many people are chatting during THE RAVEN AGE’s performance, which is a shame because they might be missing out on discovering a band they’d actually enjoy. However, when the band asks how many in the audience have seen them before, they get a few cheers, which is great to see. Some members of the crowd are clearly enjoying the performance.

Overall, they put on a solid show. With a 45 minute slot, it’s enough time to satisfy their existing fans while giving new listeners a taste of their music. After the audience is successfully warmed up, we have a short break before APOCALYPTICA takes the stage.

Rating: 7/10

Considering the age of the crowd, it would have been nice if this had been a seated show. Not only would it make us feel like we were watching a symphony or a more classical performance, but it would also spare the many aching backs in the audience. As the lights dim, a white sheet covers the band for the intro to Ride The Lightning. It drops with a bang, and all three cellists are rocking hard.

Smoothly transitioning into one of METALLICA‘s biggest hits, Enter Sandman, the absence of a vocalist means the crowd takes on the task of singing along. It’s not just the audience, though, Perttu Kivilaakso is also singing along to every word, conducting the crowd to scream “exit light, enter night” back to them.

You can tell the band has meticulously curated the set list, mixing big sing-along tracks like Enter Sandman and For Whom The Bell Tolls with lesser-known tracks that only true METALLICA fans would recognise. A standout moment is Nothing Else Matters, where the haunting strings and the crowd’s eerie chorus of voices give you goosebumps.

It’s a brilliant show that highlights why classical and metal music blend so seamlessly. This is why symphonic metal heavyweights like WITHIN TEMPTATION, NIGHTWISH, and EPICA work so well. APOCALYPTICA takes this fusion to the next level by playing the instruments themselves, rather than just having an orchestra in the background. Even if you aren’t a METALLICA fan, you would still enjoy the show. With a sprinkling of the big hits, it’s clear from the headbanging and singing that the audience is fully engaged, rather than standing still.

For anyone who may have scoffed at APOCALYPTICA doing another METALLICA cover album, they should attend a show. They’ll leave surprised and having had a genuinely good time. In a sense, APOCALPYTICA might do METALLICA better than the heavy metal legends themselves. The music, which the thrash legends originally penned, shines so much brighter in this orchestral symphony, with the guitar and bass melodies free from distractions, allowing the instrumentals to really stand out. At times, you forget you’re watching a cover band because it feels so much like original music due to how flawlessly it all works together.

All too soon, it’s time to head home and rest our aching backs from standing for hours. But the pain is dulled by having watched a fantastic performance by a fantastic band.

Rating: 9/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Cardiff from Serena Hill Photography here: 

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