"We wouldn't exist without Metallica"
28 years ago, Apocalyptica started the idea of playing Metallica-Songs on four cells. Now they continue this project with a second cover album. For "Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2", the Finns have chosen songs like "Right This Way" and "St. Anger" and even received support from Metallica frontman James Hetfield. In an interview with ntv.de, Apocalyptica founding member Eicca Toppinen talks about the reasons for the follow-up, his personal relationship with Metallica, and their professional relationship with Germany.
ntv.de: You delivered the first Metallica cover album in 1996, which was a breakthrough for you. Why did you wait so long to record a second one?
Eicca Toppinen: We didn't really object. The idea had always been there, to make another Metallica cover album someday. But we had other things to do that we found more interesting. When we started recording the first album in 2000, we were searching for our identity as a band. At the beginning, we were just a group of musicians playing metal on the cello, I wouldn't even call ourselves a band back then in the classical sense. It was important for us to explore our original music to find out what we could do, to develop our sound and define our working style.
Why now?
There was a good reason for us. The bar is set quite high, and it had to be something special. It had to feel right for us. Now seemed like the perfect time to take on this project.
Were you all in agreement within the band from the start?
There were discussions about it. One of us thought it was exciting, but there was also the question of whether it would be boring to make another cover album. But we looked at it from a new perspective and found it very intriguing because the great challenge was to reinvent the wheel. It was about creating something that wasn't just a copy of the first album. We challenged ourselves and didn't make it easy for ourselves.
And you had the full support of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and the others?
Yes, we have been friends with Metallica for a long time, as we have had many joint projects over the years, such as performances at anniversary shows. I even played at Lars Ulrich's wedding. Our original plan was not to involve Metallica in this project. But while working on the arrangements, I thought I'd talk to Lars about what we were planning, and see if he found the ideas exciting. They found them very exciting, and that's why they joined us.
And so James and bassist Robert Trujillo are guests, and even the late Cliff Burton is there.
Before we started working on songs, we had no concrete plans. But as we developed the music, suggestions came up, such as using Cliff Burton's bass track for a solo or asking Rob to play bass on "The Four Horsemen." Of course, James, who was to speak the texts, was also an idea that already existed. When we thought about who could do it, we first considered various actors. But ultimately, it would be natural if James did it himself. I thought it wouldn't happen, but I wanted to present the idea to him and see what he thought. He loved it.
Ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo was also not to be missed ...
He was our first drummer and has contributed to almost every Apocalyptica album as a Special Feature since then. When we were working on "Blackened," we felt that we needed the same energy as in the original. But it would also be cool to add Dave's groove. Dave has a unique style and sound in his playing, which takes the piece to another level. That's why we called him. He came to the studio and did his thing, and the result was fantastic.
Theoretically, the job as a permanent drummer in Apocalyptica has been free since the beginning of the year, right? Mikko Siren has left ...
Yes, but we have a new drummer for the tour. He has already played with us, at the release show in Helsinki. We have an agreement that he will accompany us on this tour, and then we will see how it goes.
What has changed in terms of production and approach from the first Metallica cover album to the second?
When we made our first album, we were classical cellists who wanted to play Metallica songs. We had no experience in the studio and didn't really know how to approach the project because no one had done something similar before. It was a big experiment for us, during which we had to figure out how everything worked. Our toolbox was very limited because we were still looking for the right tools. The first versions were very similar to the originals - the main difference was that we played the songs with cellos. This time, however, we have given ourselves much more freedom because we have wanted that for a long time. When Apocalyptica covers a song, our goal has always been for the version to eventually feel like our own. Our version should feel like it's our song, even if it originally comes from someone else.
How did you make it?
We chose a completely new approach. We wanted the versions to sound great and exciting, no matter if we left out some parts or only took certain key elements of the songs and built on them. We immersed ourselves in the essence of each song and tried to find out what made it special. Then we took these elements and presented them in a new way. It was very exciting, but also a great challenge. There were many songs that we really wanted to play, but we had to admit that they didn't sound great in an apocalyptic version. So we skipped some of these songs. We wanted each version to feel like a great new interpretation of the original.
Twenty-eight years ago, there was still no streaming. Has that changed anything for you? How do you feel about it personally?
My listening habits have changed over time. I think there are problems with the monetization models, especially with Spotify and other digital platforms. They need to be improved significantly. However, I find it positive that music is audience-focused now and there are no gatekeepers anymore. In the past, it was often difficult for many artists to make their music known, demos were sent directly to record labels. Many artists complain that they get little money for their thousands or tens of thousands of streams on Spotify. But on the other hand, their music might not have been heard in the old world at all. Therefore, I try not to condemn the digital revolution. There are good and bad sides, but I focus on the positive aspects.
What does that mean for you as a band concretely?
For us, this means that we are fortunate to have a large audience and a loyal fanbase. However, we often spend more money producing music than we directly earn. But the ability to make our music accessible to a broad audience is a great opportunity, which there was none before.
Do you really have a personal favorite Metallica song? Has this changed over time?
I don't have a definitive favorite, but "The Call of Ktulhu" has always been one of my absolute top songs from Metallica and still is. It's a piece that always inspires me. "Blackened" is also an amazing song, but it doesn't appeal to me in every mood. The solo fits better sometimes, depending on my mood. That's why I don't have a specific favorite song. My favorite album is however "Ride The Lightning". This album as a whole speaks to me the most and has a special meaning for me.
Perhaps it's unnecessary to ask this question given that you have made a second Metallica cover album, but ... were there also moments when it annoyed you that you were mainly associated with this band for decades?
It's more like a part of us and the reason we exist. Without Metallica, our love for their music, and without cello playing, we would not exist as a band. Personally, it doesn't bother me when people ask the same question for the thousandth time: "How did you come up with the idea to cover Metallica?" I have answered this question countless times. Why get angry about it? It's part of who we are and our history. It made us famous, and it's perfectly fine if they keep asking. I hope that those who only know us for our Metallica covers take the time to discover our other works. We have a lot of music that I believe is even more interesting than our cover versions.
People come to your concerts anyway. There are some dates in Germany in the fall. How is your relationship to this audience?
Germany has always been fantastic for us. It was the first country we visited in 1997, and the support of German fans has been unbroken throughout the years, regardless of the musical changes we have made. We have spent so much time in Germany that it feels almost like a second, third or even fourth home for us. It's always a little like coming home for us, as we have been performing there regularly for 27 years. The German audience is simply fantastic. They are very aware of what they like and what they don't, and I value that. We always look forward to performing in Germany.
With Eicca Toppinen spoke Nicole Ankelmann
The album "Apocalyptica plays Metallica Vol. 2" is available everywhere. The tour starts on September 26 in Hamburg and leads the band to Wiesbaden (07.10.), Munich (08.10.), Cologne (09.10.), Dresden (12.10.), and Berlin (13.10).
In an interview with ntv.de, Eicca Toppinen, founding member of Apocalyptica, discusses the upcoming release of "Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2" and the band's relationship with Germany. During the interview, he shares that the band plans to perform songs like "Right This Way" and "St. Anger" from the album, and they have received support from Metallica frontman James Hetfield (Rock music, Finland, Interviews).
When asked about the reasons for the follow-up album, Eicca mentions that the band wanted to create something special and interesting, and now seemed like the perfect time to take on the project (Album). Additionally, the band had full support from James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and others in the process (James Hetfield).
