Early 2020 saw the release of a new Apocalyptica album, ‘Cell-O’. The Finns made themselves known almost 25 years ago with instrumental covers of ‘Metallica’ in a rather surprising way with cellos as their only instruments. Since then, they have evolved to add drums and have called on singers to add a vocal section on certain compositions (see their latest album 'Shadowmaker').
With this last opus, after having made the music for the film 'Aquarela' (see here), they return to their beginning since 'Cell-O' is fully instrumental and from the first title, with 'Ashes of the Modern World', we are immersed in a progressive saga mixing contemporary and metal in multi-drawers which are gradually revealed in a tormented atmosphere but always with a vibrant intensity and which has a grandiose finish. Follows the eponymous title of the album which borders on 10 minutes and which develops melodic lines 'modernized' drawn from classical music while keeping a palpable tension which from time to time relaxes in a much quieter passage like in the final which starts from a few chords to run riot again until the end of the title. The following offers us 'Rise' which is much closer to the classic and which is a masterful crescendo in which the rhythm section gradually gains momentum, then, 'En route to Mayhem' continues in this way in the first part then presents a second part more unbridled with cello sounds close to guitar riffs, and, about 'Call My Name', the scheme is quite similar with an acceleration of the rhythm until the final releasing all the accumulated tension. It is with 'Fire & Ice' that we undoubtedly hold the most fascinating title of the album because it contains several very different parts from each other which refer to opposite styles but which ultimately, form a wonderful chemistry. The end of the album scrolls 'Scream For The Silent' with romantic melodic lines that merge with the energy of the drums and 'cello riffs', 'Catharsis' with its melody that keeps you in suspense all along of the title and finally, 'Beyond The Stars', which closes the album on classic melodic lines and accessible with always the same alternation between calm parts and others much more energetic.
In summary, the Finns of 'Apocalyptica' surprise us with this return to instrumental full of originality mixing for the best the musicality of the strings influenced by classical music and the energy of metal : therefore, 'Cell-O' is an album that requires several listenings to penetrate every nook and cranny which undoubtedly intends it for an informed public who like to mix romanticism of classical music and modernity of metal... | |
