01.08.2014 Apocalyptica & Orchestra

Wacken Open Air XXV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Just like the years before there was also this year again a stage completely filled by a symphonic orchestra. The only thing that did point to a metal concert was the drum set treated by Mikko Sirén. Otherwise only classical instruments were populating the True Metal Stage. Apocalyptica was this year on tour together with the Finnish Avanti! Chamber orchestra and was making a stop at Wacken.
In front of the stage it was completely crowded and all were waiting anxiously what will happen. Different than usual Apocalyptica completely played without a singer so that the whole concert was formed by instrumental songs specially rearranged for the orchestra. During that there were not only songs of the beginning when the band got known by playing Metallica cover versions (“Fight Fire With Fire” and “Nothing Else Matters” were chosen out of that period) but also from the last years concert at Leipzig for which especially songs inspired by Richard Wagner were composed and presented to his festival year 2013 (from that live album “Wagner Reloaded – Live in Leipzig” there was “Ludwig – Wonderland” played).
All members of the band were really keen on playing and tried with their short speeches between the songs to also include the audience. During the past years the band got more and more popular which got obvious that evening. It was clapped along, songs cheered or simply listened contemplatively when the three cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen and Perttu Kivilaakso swirled across the stage testing their instruments with regards to robustness really extremely.
For me it was already the second concert of Apocalyptica that I was able to join at Wacken and I really have to say that it is not comparable to the one before that was mainly formed by the album “7th Symphony”. It was simply fun watching the guys playing and being enthused by the not so common interpretation of metal music. Who does not know them up to now should really listen to something of them. It is worth it. And with a big grin on my face I headed forward to the upcoming bands of this evening.