Somewhere between Creeping Death and Fade to Black, I started getting curious as to why my neck was hurting. There were strange pains at the base of my skull, and a throbbing sensation in my forehead. Then I realized I’d been banging my head ferociously for the last thirty minutes.
“Apocalyptica is like a time-machine,” according to cellist Perttu Kivilaakso. It transports him, as he explained to the Montreal crowd gathered at Theatre St Denis, to his time as a teenager 20 years ago, “and perhaps 20 kilos ago too,” as he gestures to his stomach with a grin. And such is the effect of this unique band: unpretentious, self-effacing and disarmingly charming. So many things make this group work – but first and foremost they are fans, like everyone in the crowd, of the legacy of Metallica – and our inner angst-ridden metalhead gets unleashed by their performance.
Without knowing it, I had let my metalhead guard down, and the ancient chills had set in. The openings of Battery, Sanitarium, and of course, the epic One, among other Metallica classics, all put me in the goosebumps. Hearing those first delicate riffs being played on the classical instruments can have a special effect on even the most skeptical militamen. In some ways, a show with Apocalyptica might even be preferable to the real thing, given the intimacy afforded by the venue, the vibe between performer and crowd, as well as the ambiance of an acoustic touch.
Transported, we were. I have never seen so many standing ovations in a single show, but again and again four Finish metalheads playing epic cellos brought the crowd to their feet. And that was not even with the drummer on stage yet. Once Mikko Sirén arrived to deliver the most show-stopping drum and light entrance mid-way in ‘Fade to Black,’ the crowd did not take a break until the musicians did.
Even then, these performers did not know what fatigue was. Perttu was flinging his cello around like a guitar, lead man Eicca held his cello above his head like it weighed nothing, all while mischievous Paavo Lötjönen was locking eyes and blowing kisses to the crowd, and then running to the other side of the stage with his cello to do the same.
There’s something about watching a professional musician go full metal rage and wail upon a wooden Cello. Even with all musical context and tastes bracketed, being in the presence of this band in their element occasionally almost felt like witnessing an olympic feat. Defying their tools, making metal out of clearly limited, non-electric, non-guitar instruments. It was impressive. They did have pedals to juice up the cellos for the epic guitar solos, though, but just don’t tell the IOC.
There were some moments when lacking a bass, or a few volts of electricity, the sound temporarily felt a bit flat. Yet, just when I felt confident pouncing on such a low point for criticisms’ sake, the band would pull it around, as with the tepid build-up to drummer’s overpowering entrance in Fade to Black. Apocalyptica are no amateurs, and they know their art, their instruments, and its limitations. It became apparent that every moment that felt a bit weak would inevitably lead to a stirring peak that would put the audience on their feet again.
Speaking of the Montreal audience, as noted repeatedly by frontman Eicca Toppinen, they were loud too. Montreal is thick with Metal fans, and the group was here grace of HeavyMTL. He waxed nostalgic at one point that our city still stuck out in their memories as the most enthusiastic on their first tour in the 90s. It all may be good compliments from the frontman, but there was no way that tonight would count against the claim anyway. The fans above and below loved the show, very loudly at times. We have still yet to hear a response on the marriage proposals from the crowd.
I’ve heard friends dismiss Apocalyptica, and in a shallow way we can admit that it is easy to so at the outset. “Another Metallica Tribute band? Please.” Yet without even experiencing it live, you can just look at the numbers on paper, and see that something special has happened with this band.
Tribute bands don’t typically garner much praise, nor get to tour an extensive amount, yet Apocalyptica is by no means anything close to your typical cover band. Touring worldwide, recording with the likes of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, or Three Days’ Grace’s Adam Gontier, and selling more than four million albums to date; Apocalyptica is the Metal Militia dream come true.
The impression live was exactly that – five fans bring their dream to life. The passion is real on stage, perhaps with the exception of intentionally statue-like Max Lilja, each member of Apocalyptica is in it like this performance is his last, and not a single ounce of will held back from the stage. You want to cheer for them – both for an amazing performance, and for this fanhood dream come to life. A spectacle of fans, for fans, and nothing else matters.
Review – David Loach
Photos – Kieron Yates
