Fans who remember Apocalyptica from its first two albums might have suspected that the four Finnish cellists would fade into obscurity after their stock of Metallica covers ran dry. Sure, the shtick worked well while it lasted, but the irony of classically trained cellists covering heavy metal will only hold listeners' attention for so long. This is why, on their third album, they've taken some risks. The ensemble has grown to feature a double bass, orchestral percussion, and distorted cellos. Plus, they stick strickly to their own songs, and, at a time when heavy metal has gone the way of dodo birds and disco, they've refused to abandon their roots. Cult, Apocalyptica's third album, is a meld of late-'80s melodramatic heavy metal and late-1800s romanticism. When it's all said and done, these Finns can flat out play. "Struggle" opens up with eerie insect noises and then pounces into a section that sounds eerily like Sepultura. Some of the harmonies on "Pray" are so cleverly placed they can be mistaken for a human voice for the first few notes. Every song is an epic, and every song is dark and heavy. It's not old school Metallica, but it is some of the most intelligent, original heavy metal being made today. ~ Kieran McCarthy, All Music Guide
Track List
(try tracks 2,3,4,6,7,8,11,12,13 and 14)
The only bad thing about this album is the songs sound somewhat similar... but that's okay because they all sound so awesome! This is the only Apocalyptica album I own and I love it.
This band is so awesome. Even if most of the things they did before were covers of Metallica songs (and you have not lived until you've heard their cover of "One"), the original song "Romace" totally blows your mind. These guys have mad skills.
really bloody good album. hope and romance are to of the most emotion filled and brilliant songs i have ever heard. in this, their third album, they manage to mix the gothic-metal and a symphony sound. Easily one of my favorite albums. i need to get this on my ipod. Blessed Be; Rock Steady AK
What I wouldn't give to play my cello like they do theirs! Cult, of course, is their best album of all time! "In the Hall of the Mountain King" Apocalyptica-style is just awesome. :D
And, of course, Romance is just plain gorgeous! I could listen to it all day. :D
i dont really care if the songs arent written or used by a different band if the song is good its good doesnt matter who writes the song. i really like hope and struggle my favs of this album.
Apocalyptica's cover of Hall of the Mountain King is totally awesome! It's fun to play that piece just in the original classical form. I can't imagine how fun it is to play it the way they do!
Romance is definitely my favorite on this album, though. It's gorgeous, but it's also melancholy...and just so damn beautiful!
I agree. Just because someone else wrote a piece of music does not mean that another person, group/band could not add too it and make it better. Most songs that I like that Pandora has allowed me too listen to are very short.
Despite the reviewers assertion to the contrary, several of these songs are not original. Hall of the Mountain King is a classical piece by Edvard Grieg. Until It Sleeps and Fight Fire With Fire are by Metallica. There may be others. However, it's good stuff even if it isn't written by them.