90%
Apocalyptica—Worlds Collide (2007)
Details
All tracks produced by Jacob Hellner. All tracks mixed by Stefan Glaumann at Toytown Studios, Stockholm. Recorded at Big Island Sound, Stockholm. Drums recorded at Swedish Radio Studio 4 by Ulf Kruckenberg. Additional cellos recorded at SUSI Studios, Finland. Released on 17 September 2007 on Sony BMG.
Band
- Eicca Toppinen—Cello
- Paavo Lötjönen—Cello
- Perttu Kivilaakso—Cello
- Mikko Sirén—Drums
Tracks
- Worlds collide
- Grace (feat. Tomoyasu Hotei)
- I’m not Jesus (feat. Corey Taylor from Slipknot/Stone Sour)
- Ion
- Helden (feat. Till Lindemann from Rammstein; written by Bowie/Eno)
- Stroke
- Last hope (feat. Dave Lombardo from Slayer/Fantômas)
- I don’t care (feat. Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace)
- Burn
- S.O.S. (Anything but love) (feat. Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil)
- Peace
Review
Another week, another Apocalyptica album. Sadly my last Apocalyptica review, and the newest album of theirs that I own.
This is the sixth studio album from the Finnish quartet (three cellos and drummer) released in 2007, and is another solid album—a mixture of instrumental tracks and songs featuring guest vocalists, full-out rocking pieces and more laid back ‘classical’-influenced numbers.
The album opens gently with the title track “Worlds collide”, a quiet throbbing bass note with a delicate melody drawn over the top of it, that soon opens up as drums kick in. Rock meets classical, drums meets cello—worlds collide indeed.
Japanese guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei joins the band for the next track “Grace”. To be honest, I can’t hear his guitar.
Next up vocalist Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) assures us that he’s not Jesus (“I’m not Jesus”).
When your world comes crashing down
I want to be there.
If God is looking down on me!
I’m not Jesus,
Jesus wasn’t there!You confess it all away,
But it’s only shit to me
If God is looking down on me!
I’m not Jesus,
I will not forgive!
Sadly, I strongly suspect that this is about child abuse in the church. Horribly uncomfortable lyrics throughout.
“Ion” takes on an other worldly feel partly through the use of flanger effects, and then Till Lindemann from Rammstein guests on “Helden” (Heroes). According to Google Translate the song opens with these lyrics:
You, you could swim
Like dolphins, dolphins do it
Nobody gives us a chance
But we can triumph
Always and always
And we are then heroes
For one day…
It’s funny, you don’t often associate dolphins with metal! Mind you Rammstein would probably set fire to them!
The next guest musician is drummer Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer, Grip Inc., Fantômas) who puts in a fabulous performance on “Last hope”. I could listen to his drumming all day.
“I don’t care” is a fragile song sung by Adam Gontier, formerly of Canadian alt. rock band Three Days Grace.
“Burn” is perhaps as close as you can get to all-out thrash metal on a cello; certainly the track opener. It’s a ferocious track, right from the start. I know how hard it can be to pick a guitar that fast, but how do they manage it with bows?! Astonishing.
Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia guests on penultimate track “S.O.S. (Anything but love)”. There is a warmth and depth to her voice but also a sharp clarity. A beautiful song.
The album closes with “Peace”, which like a few of their album closers has a reflective, lamentful feel.
Conclusion
Apocalyptica delivers yet another excellent album. The songwriting is clearly much stronger than Cult and they’ve brought in more guest musicians and vocalists than on Reflections and that really changes the dynamic of the album.
It’s interesting to hear how these vocalists influence the band. Till Lindemann makes them sound like Rammstein, Corey Taylor like Stone Sour, Cristina Scabbia like Lacuna Coil. And none these vocalists appear to have been involved in the writing process; I mean, Lindemann’s track was even written by David Bowie and Brian Eno.
This album didn’t quite get under my skin as much as Reflections Revised but it’s a good album none-the-less. If you like your metal played mostly on four-stringed instruments, and there are not too many all-bass metal bands around (now there’s an idea!), then definitely give this a listen.
Review score: 90%