APOCALYPTICA are thrilled to release the second single from Apocalyptica Plays Metallica, Vol. 2 – the hotly-anticipated sequel to their legendary debut record. ‘The Unforgiven II’ falls hot on the heels of first single ‘The Four Horsemen’, featuring Metallica’s very own bassist RobTrujllo.
“We wanted to balance what we were doing between old and new,” says lead cellist PerttuKivilaakso. “’The Unforgiven II’ has such beautiful melodies and the lyrics are great, too! I loved the fact that we’ve been able to bind this record and our first record together in this way.”
Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2 will continue the journey that began in 1996 when cellists from Helsinki’s world-renowned Sibelius Academy played symphonic tribute to the biggest of the big four – heavy metal titans Metallica. For their ninth record the classically-minded dynamos are returning to their roots to bring a legendary story full circle. It also features a host of surprises beginning with a unique collaboration. Second single ‘The Unforgiven II’, taken from Metallica’s 1997 album Reload is a stunning reimagining of a cast-iron classic, setting the scene for a compendium of deep cuts and brilliant highlights spanning Metallica’s staggering 40 year career, and there are more surprises to come.
Stream ‘The Unforgiven II’ here.
Pre-save Apocalyptica Plays Metallica: Vol 2.here.
Founding band-leader Eicca Toppinen comments:
“It’s the coolest thing. We didn’t push – it was offered. We played the first album live and it was so much more fun and exciting than we expected, so we got the idea to do something like the first album, but we couldn’t do it in exactly the same way – we needed to challenge ourselves and bring a totally new perspective to the original energy and emotion of Metallica.”
Lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso adds: “We’ve been talking about making another Metallica album for around 20 years, as there were still so many great songs we wanted to play! We waited for the perfect moment to do it. Thinking of that teenage me who is now getting to play his favourite tracks gives me goosebumps!”
This album will be the band’s final studio release with APOCALYPTICA’s long-time member, drummer Mikko Sirén, who amicably departed after the new album’s completion. Plays Metallica Vol. 2 was produced by longtime collaborator and studio supremo Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Tool) and will be released via new label Throwdown Entertainment on 7th June 2024.
Alongside the announcement, APOCALYPTICA will be touring in support of the record, taking them through Europe, including the UK.
Plays Metallica Vol. 2 Tour Dates:
29.09.24 – Manchester Albert Hall, Manchester
30.09.24 – Royal Albert Hall, London
01.10.24 – Olympia Theatre, Dublin
03.10.24 – SWG3, Glasgow
04.10.24 – Rock City, Nottingham
05.10.24 – Great Uni Hall, Cardiff
Tickets on sale Friday 23rd February here: http://myticket.co.uk/artists/apocalyptica.
