Gig report: Apocalyptica – 20 Years of Playing Metallica by Four Cellos

Apocalyptica (Belgrade, Hala sportova, April 4th, 2017)
20 Years of Playing Metallica by Four Cellos
April 4th, 2017

Finnish band Apocalyptica is back in Serbia for the fourth time. Twenty years after they released ”Plays Metallica by Four Cellos“ (1996, Universal/Mercury), Apocalyptica celebrates the sucess of the album on tour.

The venue was half empty. Surprisingly, concert begun right on time. It was divided on two acts. Act one was dedicated to their debut album. Four chellists opened, now I can write spectacle, with „Enter Sandman“ and continued with ”Master of Puppets“, ”Harvester of Sorrow”, ”Unforgiven”, ”Sad But True”, ”Creeping Death”, ”Wherever I May Roam”, ”Welcome Home”. Song after song, fans were more free to express their feelings. From the beginning of the show, it was obvious how the guys split their roles. From the ends were sitting passive band members, while in the middle were two active band members. From left to right: Antero Mannine, Pertuu Kivilaakso, Eicca Toppinen and Paavo Lötjönen.

First act was completely classical performance. If you ever thought Eicca Toppinen is the frontman, than you were wrong. Pertuu Kivilaakso took that role. Even injured, Paavo Lötjönen couldn’t stay still, so he headbanged and made great contact with fans. Only Antero Mannine looked he would rather be at some other place. 45 minutes later and first act was over.

20 minutes break and the band is back.

Act two brought some changes. Walls were removed and specific drum set was revealed. Three of four guys changed outfit (guess who didn’t). Classical music turned to metal. Somewhere in the middle of the first song, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, Mikko Sirén (drums) joins the band and madness started. ”Sick and Destroy”, ”Orion”, ”One”… ”Battery” was the concert highlight.

After 50 minutes, act two was over. I think band did not expect so strong audience reaction after they left the stage (kicking off the floor till venue started shaking) so they honored us with not one, but two encores.

If we consider that concert is held at totally inappropriate place for any kind of music, cause we are talking about sport venue built in communistic period, than the fact the sound was excellent tells us Apocalyptica has team of perfectionists.

Scenography was simple: four black walls, four boxes used as chairs, and accent was on light effects.

This is very special tour form two reasons. First one, of course, celebrating 20 years of debut album, and second, comeback of the original band member Antero Mannine.