CD Review: Apocalyptica's 7th Symphony

Apocalyptica
7th Symphony
4/5

Listen To: At The Gates Of Manala
Skip It: Not Strong Enough

You have to love when metal and classical fans have something in common. It's not all that rare these days with the growing neo-classical metal scene gaining a following. There are even classical-punk bands kicking around and getting recognition. But, undoubtedly, at the forefront of neo-classical alt music is Apocalyptica from Helsinki, Finland, who are back with their seventh studio album, aptly titled 7th Symphony.

The record follows suit with previous Apocalyptica works with four songs featuring well known guest vocalists, being Bush X frontman Gavin Rossdale, Brent Smith of Shinedown, Lacey Mosley from Flyleaf, and Gojira's Joe Duplantier.

With such variance in vocal presence, 7th Symphony's lyricised tracks keep the band pushing new boundaries. Apocalyptica is cello metal, but, for example with Gavin Rossdale's track "End Of Me," they create a very radio friendly heavy rock sound. It's just too bad the radio doesn't pay any attention. Joe Duplantier's vocal offering, coming late in the ten song record, avenges the mainstream's lacking acknowledgment of this band. "Bring Them To Light" is dark, heavy, and spattered with crackling death metal vocals.

On the heavy side is where 7th Symphony holds tightest. The other six tracks, all instrumentals, are gritty, incorporating death, thrash, and even metalcore tactics, hardly sounding like cello music at all. Seven minute album opener "At The Gates Of Manala" mixes riffs and feedback; blast and triplet drum beats; and tempo-dampening breakdowns.

The record also has mellow tracks, like "On The Rooftop With Quasimodo," that rely on less doomish, mood-setting metal. "Sacra" dawns a beat riding tambourine for the album's second last track, the cleanest tune on the record. However, on the whole, this is a heavy; at times hooky and catchy offering from... shall I say it? Hell, from the Mozarts of Metal.

Track Listing:

1. At The Gates Of Manala
2. End Of Me, featuring Gavin Rossdale
3. Not Strong Enough, featuring Brent Smith
4. 2010, featuring Dave Lombardo
5. Beautiful
6. Broken Pieces, featuring Lacey Mosley
7. On The Rooftop With Quasimodo
8. Bring Them To Light, featuring Joe Duplantier
9. Sacra
10. Rage Of Poseidon

Published by Tangible Sounds