Apocalyptica // Review

 

Venue: Carling Academy, Liverpool, UK Support from: Swallow the Sun Date: 03 December 2008

 

 

 

Dark, clammy venues in the cold North West of England are not usually thought of as charming, sultry, sensual lairs. However, dark, clammy venues in the cold North West of England don't usually hold two bands as charismatic and well-loved as Finns Swallow the Sun and Apocalyptica.
 
The latter are such an unusual collaboration of classical music, rock'n'roll and heavy metal that it makes predicting a crowd reaction to their chosen support bands extremely difficult. Tonight is no exception. Always a tough crowd to please, Swallow the Sun's trademark sound of the dark, dim North is difficult to place in this varied crowd and on paper, their doom and gloom mixture of plodding drumbeats and thunderous vocals shouldn't really work.
 
Yet somehow it does. With all the chimes and chords of regular Finnish doom metal, their tight tracks and polished presence are thoroughly enjoyed by all - an excellent yet daring choice for support by Apocalyptica who seem to understand what their market wants before their market even knows it.
 
I do spot a link between the two acts tonight - a rather flimsy link but viable nevertheless. Both bands create a sorrowful sound with extreme emotional depth that requires a certain type of ear to truly appreciate how innovative and intelligent their music is. This is not a dynamic I would have noticed about Swallow the Sun before tonight - so perhaps Apocalyptica are teaching me something too.
 
This is a vast, sweeping statement but one that I believe entirely true - Apocalyptica are the most creative band to ever leave Finland. Their explosion into the mainstream is already twelve years late but it would have been a greater travesty if it never happened at all. Thanks to their well loved covers of Metallica and Sepultura hits, and their more recent inclusions of vocals in some of their original pieces from HIM's Ville Valo, Slipknot's Corey Taylor and Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia to name but a few; Apocalyptica have created a fanbase that is neither age, nor gender, nor even genre specific.
 
And may it be the beautiful notes of One, the ferocious attack of Life Burns! or the familiar chaos of Hall of the Mountain King; the four cellists and drummer collaboration are fierce, powerful and jam-packed with charisma. Their short set of fifteen is hard and fast, soft and poignant, stricken with grief and fury and mania and depression - all cruelly over in eighty short minutes. Notably a shorter set than usual, with a definite increase of older covers, this is a positive sign that their recognition is being received across the board and naturally, the new fans want to hear their favourite metal tracks played so exquisitely.
 
It never fails to surprise me that everytime I see Apocalyptica live, I leave wanting more. Like great sex that leaves you physically and emotionally exhausted; you immediately crave that incredible feeling again and again because that awareness of entire pleasure - particularly in music - is unfortunately rare.
 
A truly magnificent band who are unequivocally the pioneers of this unique sound, and the undisputed kings of classical metal.

 

 

Review by Kate Stulberg

Set List

 

Not available

 

 

Photos From the Tour

 

Apocalyptica // Wolverhampton

Swallow the Sun // Wolverhampton

Swallow the Sun // Liverpool

 

 

Other Reviews

 

Academy 2, Manchester, UK // 12 December 2007