Metal Mummy

I really have to think about this meme you know. I’m not that great at thinking… It takes time. Determination. So when Ghostwriter Mummy turned on the waterworks* and pleaded for a link up – well, the time and determination went out the window and I had to think on my feet.

*I do hope she didn’t actually cry. I’d feel even worse about not linking up sooner.

OK, so this week, I’m going to introduce you to a fabulous band who you may, or may not, have heard of: Apocalyptica.

Since I was about 9 years old, until I was about 14, I played the cello. I played it well. That was until I couldn’t be arsed to carry it up and down the school drive and I started to like boys. That’s what the cello teacher said later on in life, when we added eachother on Facebook – If it wasn’t for boys, you wouldn’t have quit. Sounds about right.

Anyway, at 21, I asked my mum for a cello for my birthday, with the intention of learning to play it again. One day, I will learn to play it again. One day. It just hasn’t happened yet.

Apocalyptica have, over the past few years, rekindled my love of the cello. Forming in the mid-90s, they are a 4-piece band from Finland, who play metal music, on cellos. They don’t sing. They never used to have any other session musicians or guest musicians. It was purely them. And They Are Amazing.

Can you imagine a 4 piece band consisting of at least one rather attractive Scandinavian fella, headbanging whilst playing a cello standing up? That’s them. Just. Wow.

They played during the interval of a Eurovision a few years ago and my admiration of them went from there. I have seen them play live 4 times, either at their own gig or at festivals, and they never cease to amaze me.

Their more recent work has included collaborations with various metal vocalists and sessional work from drummers and the odd guitarist. It doesn’t take away from their very unique approach to playing metal music. They are completely awe inspiring.

The first album I listened to by them was “Plays Metallica by Four Cellos” – it was a very different way of listening to Metallica. No words. No drums. Just music. They have progressed so much from that early album, now including very notorious singers from the metal genre, and having a huge fanbase.

I would love for Freyja to appreciate these guys. They are truly fabulous.