APOCALYPTICA Reveals ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’ 2024 European Tour

On February 21, 2024, the Finnish cello rock band APOCALYPTICA excitedly declared their upcoming European tour in support of their latest album, the follow-up to their groundbreaking debut record. Titled the “Plays Metallica Vol. 2” tour, this journey continues the legacy that commenced in 1996, when cellists from Helsinki’s prestigious Sibelius Academy paid homage to the heavy metal giants, METALLICA, through symphonic renditions. After countless performances, these classically inclined virtuosos are returning to their origins to complete a legendary tale.

APOCALYPTICA expressed their anticipation: “We’ve named this tour ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’. Sharing our passion for METALLICA’s music with our live audience has always been, and undoubtedly will remain, an absolutely enchanting experience! This time around, the show is set to reach new heights. We’re eager to Һit the stage again and spread the excitement with all of you!

“Ticket sales will open to the public on Friday, February 23rd. However, our Patreon members can already secure their tickets! So, if you’re keen on getting yours early, head over to Patreon and explore the membership options.

“After the fantastic experiences in Brazil and Mexico, we’re offering ticket upgrades, including Meet & Greets and some special goodies. VIP packages will also be available starting from Friday the 23rd. So, mark your calendars for this day, February 23rd, 10am CET sharp… Visit our homepage, select your preferred date, and see you soon!”

APOCALYPTICA’s leader, Eicca Toppinen, added: “It’s incredible to think that even after all these years, our tribute to METALLICA still resonates so deeply with people. The opportunity to share our adoration for METALLICA’s music with a live audience is truly magical. This time, the show is going to be phenomenal, and we’re thrilled to reconnect with our fans!”

In a 2019 interview with Heavy magazine in Australia, APOCALYPTICA’s Paavo Lötjönen reflected on the impact of their 1996 debut album, “Plays Metallica By Four Cellos.” Comprising solely of METALLICA covers, the album showcased the group’s classically trained talents, laying the groundwork for their subsequent original releases. Since the 20th anniversary celebration of “Plays Metallica By Four Cellos” in 2016, APOCALYPTICA has performed the album in its entirety at select live shows.

“It’s been truly fantastic,” he remarked about performing “Plays Metallica By Four Cellos.” “In terms of shared music experiences, revisiting music you listened to 20 years ago evokes a peculiar sensation; it transports you back to the same emotions you felt when you were younger.

I would describe music as a kind of time machine in that regard. Similarly, when we play these songs, we experience a resurgence of the same feelings we had when we were 20 or 25 years old, touring Europe in a rundown van, playing in small venues. However, this time, the venues are grander and more refined. There’s a large audience, and the stage conditions are comfortable. Playing these songs brings us immense joy and fun. The magic of METALLICA’s music hasn’t faded; it’s still incredibly powerful and impassioned. It’s a delight to perform. I believe we’ve never played as brilliantly as we are currently. It’s gratifying to see how much we’ve grown over the years.”

In 2015, Lötjönen and APOCALYPTICA’s Perttu Kivilaakso spoke with Austria’s Mulatschag about their experience sharing the stage with METALLICA at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the band’s week-long 30th-anniversary celebration in December 2011. Perttu reminisced, “Being included among all those remarkable artists was truly an honor.

Looking back at our career and seeing that the members of METALLICA, who inspired us to embark on this journey, hold us in such regard that they wаnted us to be part of this significant celebration of their career—it’s remarkable. It was surreal. I remember starting to play ‘One,’ and James Hetfield was standing right next to me. When I was 13 years old, he was my biggest idol, and now we’re performing together. It’s absurd yet feels natural and logical in a sense.”

Paavo added, “Our connection with METALLICA has been consistently fantastic over the years. We first supported them in ’96, which was only our fifth proper rock and roll show, so it was quite surreal. Since then, we’ve shared stages with them at numerous festivals… I must sаy, the bond with METALLICA is genuinely cool and enjoyable.”

“Plays Metallica Vol. 2” tour dates:

Jun. 08 – FI Helsinki – Ice Hall (public on sale 26.2.)
Sep. 13 – AE Dubai – [to be announced]
Sep. 19 – TR Istanbul – Zorlu PSM
Sep. 21 – SE Stockholm – Kagelbanan
Sep. 22 – NO Oslo – Rockefeller
Sep. 23 – DK Copenhagen – Amager Bio
Sep. 24 – DK Aarhus – Train
Sep. 26 – DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
Sep. 27 – NL Tilburg – O13
Sep. 29 – UK Manchester – Manchester Albert Hall
Sep. 30 – UK London – Royal Albert Hall
Oct. 01 – IE Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre
Oct. 03 – UK Glasgow – SWG3
Oct. 04 – UK Nottingham – Rock City
Oct. 05 – UK Cardiff – Great Uni Hall
Oct. 07 – DE Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
Oct. 08 – DE Munich – Tonhalle
Oct. 09 – DE Cologne – E-Werk
Oct. 10 – AT Vienna – Gasometer
Oct. 11 – CZ Prague – 02 Universe
Oct. 12 – DE Dresden – Alter Schlachthof
Oct. 13 – DE Berlin – Columbiahalle
Oct. 15 – PL Krakow – Studio
Oct. 16 – PL Warsaw – Progresja
Oct. 18 – LT Palanga – Concert Hall
Oct. 19 – LT Kaunus – Zalgiris Arena
Oct. 20 – LT Vilnius – Compensa Hall
Oct. 21 – LV Riga – Arena
Oct. 22 – EE Tallinn – Alexella Hall
Nov. 11 – LX Esch Alzette – Rockhal
Nov. 12 – BE Brussels – AB
Nov. 13 – FR Paris – L’Olympia
Nov. 14 – FR Bordeaux – Le Rocher
Nov. 15 – ES Bilbao – Santana 27
Nov. 17 – PT Lisbon – LAV
Nov. 18 – ES Madrid – La Riviera
Nov. 19 – ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz
Nov. 20 – FR Marseille – Espace Julien
Nov. 21 – IT Milan – Alcatraz