SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2024
APOCALYPTICA
Review & Photos by: Polina Kulikovskikh
Photo Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/apocalyptica-the-raven-age/

On September 22nd, Apocalyptica presented their second album of Metallica covers, Plays Metallica, Vol. 2, at Rockefeller in Oslo—a true treat for fans of both bands.

The evening's support act was The Raven Age, who I had seen last year in Amsterdam opening for Iron Maiden. While family ties to metal royalty (their guitarist is the son of Steve Harris) might raise expectations, the band’s melodic metal with modern metalcore elements was, for some, seen as a questionable fit back then. However, this time around, their performance felt much more in tune, especially for those who enjoy the kind of music Apocalyptica plays beyond their covers.

In 2023, The Raven Age released their album Blood Omen, and they opened their set in Oslo with tracks "Serpents Tongue" and "Nostradamus" from that record. The band sounded and looked incredibly professional, and undoubtedly gained new fans after their strong performance.

After a short while a stage completely transformed and everyone was ready to welcome the main act of the evening.

About 25 years ago—what feels like another lifetime—when the grass seemed greener, the internet crawled, and nobody owned a smartphone yet, Apocalyptica burst onto the scene among the metalheads around me. People were passing around the "Plays Metallica by Four Cellos" album on cassette tapes, excitedly saying, "You have to hear this! They're playing Metallica on cellos!" I think it was one of the first times metal music was embraced by both hardcore fans and those who didn’t usually listen to it.

Fast forward to 2024: after proving they’re much more than a cover band, with eight successful albums under their belt, Apocalyptica has now released Plays Metallica, Vol. 2.

In January 2023, they played at Sentrum Scene in Oslo during a tour with Epica, but back then, their Metallica covers were limited to "Nothing Else Matters" and "Seek & Destroy". This time, however, the entire setlist was devoted to Metallica, delivered with an epic performance—both musically and visually. Often leaning towards a darker tone, the Rockefeller stage was bathed in intricate lighting, amplifying the grandeur of the night.

The energy sustained by the band throughout the entire set was remarkable, as was the ease with which they handled their massive instruments. The show kicked off with "Ride the Lightning," followed by "Enter Sandman" and "Creeping Death." They also paid tribute to former Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, who tragically passed away in 1986, by playing "The Call of Ktulu."

The club was comfortably packed, and the crowd was in high spirits, singing along to every familiar tune. It was a night filled with great atmosphere — honestly, one of the best shows Oslo has seen this year.