Who would have thought that a novelty album of Metallica covers played on four cellos would launch a 20-year career? In 1996, Finnish quartet Apocalyptica released Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, and this small independent release became a worldwide phenomenon, with approval from the members of Metallica themselves. (Apocalyptica eventually shared the stage with Metallica in 2011, performing as part of the band’s 30th-anniversary celebration). That album led at first to more covers (of Metallica and other metal and hard rock acts) and then to original music, with the members of Apocalyptica taking a unique, cello-driven approach to metal. Guest stars including Slayer’s Dave Lombardo, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Bush’s Gavin Rossdale and Las Vegas-based singer-songwriter Franky Perez (who performed lead vocals on the entirety of Apocalyptica’s 2015 album Shadowmaker) have joined the members of Apocalyptica in the studio over the years, augmenting the group’s cello sound with vocals, drums and more. Plays Metallica by Four Cellos was rereleased last year in a 20th-anniversary edition with three bonus tracks, and the band is in the midst of a huge tour celebrating Plays’ anniversary, performing a set of Metallica songs in tribute to the strange little idea that established a heavy metal legacy.
Hard Rock Hotel, 8 p.m. Oct. 1, starting at $33 plus tax and fee. 888.929.7849
