When Finnish string quartet Apocalyptica released Plays Metallica by Four Cellos in 1996, it seemed like a gimmick. But heavy metal fans and the members of Metallica themselves were captivated by Apocalyptica’s classical-style instrumental take on Metallica standards like “Enter Sandman,” “Master of Puppets” and “Creeping Death,” and the album has become an unlikely enduring heavy metal classic. In 2011, the members of Apocalyptica joined Metallica onstage to perform three songs during Metallica’s 30th-anniversary celebration, and Four Cellos was remastered and reissued with three bonus tracks in 2016.
The band’s tour celebrating the album’s 20th anniversary was so successful that it led to a live album last year, and Apocalyptica is continuing that momentum with its current tour, performing the entire Four Cellos album plus a selection of other Metallica covers. In the years since Four Cellos was released, Apocalyptica has evolved into a heavy metal powerhouse in its own right, creating original music and collaborating with a range of hard rockers, including members of Slayer, Slipknot, Gojira, Shinedown and more. But the group’s legacy was cemented by that first album of Metallica covers, adding an unexpected layer to heavy metal that’s still making an impact on the genre.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. May 8, starting at $35 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
