APOCALYPTICA Perform Ukranian National Anthem At Kiev Show; Live Footage And Video Interview Available

During their performance in Kiev on December 1st, Finnish cello metal band Apocalyptica thrilled fans with an alternative version of Ukraine’s national anthem as part of the band’s set. Footage of that performance is available below. 

In addition, prior to the show Apocalyptica drummer Mikko Siren and cellist Eicca Toppinen revealed to Ukraine Today about why they chose to return to Ukraine, future collaboration plans, why they chose to evolve to more instrumental music, and about the damage their cellos actually sustain during a performance. Check out the interview here.

The setlist on the night was as follows:

“Reign of Fear”
“Grace”
“I’m Not Jesus”
“House of Chains”
“Not Strong Enough”
“Master of Puppets” (Metallica cover)
“Inquisition Symphony” (Sepultura cover)
“Bittersweet”
“Harmageddon”
“Hope, Vol. 2”
– drum solo – 
“Riot Lights”
“Shadowmaker”
“Hole in My Soul”
“Angry Birds Theme” (Ari Pulkkinen cover)
“Seek & Destroy” (Metallica cover)
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” (Edvard Grieg cover preceded by Ukrainian national anthem)

Encore:
“One” (Metallica cover)
“I Don’t Care”
“Dead Man’s Eyes”

Streaming below is a preview of “Sin In Justice”, the upcoming collaborative single from Apocalyptica and Japan’s Vamps, released via Spinefarm Records on November 20th.

Says Vamps’ Hyde: “During our tour with Sixx:A.M., we (Apocalyptica and Vamps) thought it would be great to tour together or to collaborate on a song someday and now it actually happened. The whole creative process was pretty hectic, I worked on the song during our South American tour, writing the lyrics and running through the vocal lines. Basically what happened was K.A.Z composed the song, Apocalyptica added the cellos and I sang it. I think what we’ve ended up with is something with the 80’s feel to it, yet very fresh, and certainly new for us. Who knows, maybe we have just discovered `a new color of Vamps`.”

“Yes, we had a great time being on the road together,” continues Apocalyptica’s Eicca Toppinen. “We loved the idea and the experience of working together in this way. We’re really proud of the song, and we hope fans of both bands will enjoy it.”

The preview comes by way of a lyric video, created by Craig Gowans (Killing Joke, Atreyu). Watch below: