APOCALYPTICA – Shadowmaker [Bonus Deluxe Edition] (2015)

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Incredibly 20 years have passed since ‘Apocalyptica plays Metallica by Four Cellos’ appeared. Yes it was an album of covers, but it wasn’t just another metal band playing it safe at regurgitating the same old stuff. Instead it was a Finnish cello wielding quartet reimagining the lines between rock, metal and classical music, releasing a fine piece of neo-classical artistry.
The years rumbled on and what could have been a flash in the pan, a craze, didn’t end up that way, and now APOCALYPTICA are set to add their ninth full-length entitled “Shadowmaker” to their already rich sonic palette.

I loved that first album, it was really cool to hear those well known Metallica songs going instrumental, arranged and played on cellos. But to be honest, since then I lost the trace of Apocalyptica.
Well, “Shadowmaker” brings something new to the table, so I think it was worth to investigate: Apocalyptica now features a singer.
They have hired Franky Perez (ex-Scars on Broadway) to sing some songs and this decision is considered by many as a big career step. Perez is certainly a good vocalist and feels like a good addition to Apocalyptica.

My opinion is: yes, Apocalyptica needed a twist, and ‘song format’ tracks with vocals are a good move. And while these songs with vocals are OK, the band ends sounding like another typical metal band.
I mean, all are good tracks, but the star on the record are the instrumentals with a pure cello sound.
You know, Apocalyptica are instrumental, cello/metal, and this where they shine. They are a group of uber talented musicians and “Shadowmaker” truly stands out when there are no vocals involved and no distortion to the strings.

“Seed of Chaos”, “Till Death Do us Part” and especially the awesome “Riot Lights” are incredibly powerful songs and do not need a human voice to stand out as beautiful and incredibly expressive pieces of music.
However, the tracks featuring vocals but made with a more relaxed instrumental cellos find a very nice balance, and I think this is the path Apocalyptica should explore. Add vocals but with cellos sounding pure, not with distortion and effects.
In this vein the dynamic “Sea Song (You Waded Out)” or the cinematic “Dead Man’s Eyes” come out really well, as Perez’s vocals really goes with the flow of the instruments and mingles with them instead of simply asserting his vocals on the piece of music.

Instrumentally Paavo, Eicca, Perttu and Mikko sound as energetic as they have in the past, being that this is such an advanced release for the band, hats off to them for weaving in new intricacies and keeping the energy levels up.
“Shadowmaker” is a record that breaks with the band’s tradition and fans need to see for themselves whether they like the constant singing or whether they prefer their favourite band to simply swing their strings while creating perfectly harmonious and also disturbing music.
It is a really interesting, new facet for Apocalyptica.
Quite Recommended.

01 – I-III-V Seed of Chaos
02 – Cold Blood
03 – Shadowmaker
04 – Slow Burn
05 – Reign of Fear [bonus track]
06 – Hole In My Soul
07 – House of Chains
08 – Riot Lights
09 – Come Back Down [bonus track]
10 – Sea Song (You Waded Out)
11 – Till Death Do Us Part
12 – Dead Man’s Eyes
13 – Hall of the Mountain King (feat. Avanti Orchestra) [bonus track]

Paavo Lötjönen – Cello
Eicca Toppinen – Cello
Perttu Kivilaakso – Cello
Mikko Siren – Drums
Franky Perez – Vocals

PRE-Order:
www.levykauppax.fi/artist/apocalyptica/shadowmaker/#cd
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