Apocalyptica. The name conjurs up images of Heavy Metal, chains and leather, black eye liner and killer music. And all these would be bang on the money, except for one extra fact: this band plays cellos!
Apocalyptica started in Helsinki Finland in 1993 when the four founding members met at music school and began playing Metallica covers together on Cello. As Paavo puts it, “it was just for fun and for therapy to try Metallica and Sepultura tunes with classical instruments.” They performed an after-Christmas party at a local Heavy Metal Club and an independent record label representative in the audience that night was so impressed, he signed them to a record deal on the spot.
In 1996, Apocalyptica released their debut studio album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, which consisted solely of Metallic covers. In 1998, they released their second album, Inquisition Symphony, which contained covers of Metallica, but also covers of Faith No More, Sepultura and Pantera.
After a few line up changes, a third album, Cult, (which featured 10 original songs and 3 covers and their first song with vocal tracks), the band remained as it is today – Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen, and Perttu Kivilaasko, with the addition of a drummer for the first time – Mikko Siren.
It was my pleasure to interview Paavo (for The Portal magazine) about this unusual band who have recently reached #1 on the Billboard rock chart with their hit, ‘I Don’t Care’ featuring Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace on vocals.
The Portal Magazine (TPM): Apocalyptica started out playing Metallic cover songs but there is a twist to the story – you also opened for Metallica too? What were your thoughts about that?
Paavo: We have played 7 times as support to Metallica yes. The first time was in Helsinki in 1996. It was so awesome to meet our heros! The audience was wild to us and we loved them too.
TPM: How old were you when you started playing, and why cello?
Paavo: I started at age 6 with cello. And Cello is THE BEST instrument in the world! Of course! What a question! haha.
TPM: Do you play any other instruments? And do any of you sing?
Paavo: I play quite a few instruments, but really badly! And singing – yes but we only sing in Karaoke parties.
TPM: Apocalyptica collaborates with singers from other bands (ie: Three Days Grace, Slipknot, Stone Sour etc). How do you decide who to collaborate with and is it only a vocalist you work with to enhance your songs?
Paavo: We gotta love the singer first. Then we ask (and pray) that they and their management and record companies want to make it happen. In this world nowdays, its pretty complicated.
TPM: Apocalyptica recently did a video for ‘I Don’t Care’; how was that experience for you?
Paavo: ‘Enter Sandman’ was really the first video we did – what a mess in a dark cellar! Haha. We were playing those days using sheet music – paper notes – haha Classical nerds we were! I hope we learned something after those days.
TPM: What would you like to see for the band’s future in 1 year? How bout in 5 yrs?
Paavo: In 1 year I would like to be at our new album release party, in 5 years I hope we’re in good physical shape and still rocking high!
TPM: What do you feel most proud about as a band or individually (ie: any awards or recognition)?
Paavo: Personally, I finally succeeded in completing my Masters of Music degree at Sibelius Academy. As a band- I’m proud that we are a real band, and still rocking after 10 yrs of existence.
TPM: Can you share a humorous story with us, something that might have happened at a show or while touring?
Paavo: Perttu himself is a story! Really! He is a person who meets ‘happenings’. Lots of tricky moments and lots of laughs afterwards.
TPM: Speaking of Perttu – does hie find it difficult to play cello with those (fingerless) gloves on?
Paavo: He cannot play without them! He is so used to them. The gig is ruined if the gloves disappear now.
TPM: What do you think is the secret of Apocalpytica’s success?
Paavo: God knows what is the secret to our success – our fans know better than us.
TPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for other bands just starting out?
Paavo: Everybody has their own story to reach success. Maybe this though: Be so good in the right things, that the audience has no choice but to see your brightness. Right? Do not be an asshole. Do not drink on shows. You are a servant of your audience – be good to them.
TPM: Paavo thank you for your time. I just wanted to say that our local heavy rock station is now playing ‘I Don’t Care’. It’s great!
Paavo: Ask them to play real music! haha. Thanks to you too.
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