Formed by four like-minded cellists to create bizarre, wraithlike covers of heavy metal giants, Apocalyptica were an unlikely act to forge a lasting career. Yet over a decade after its debut CD, 1996's self-explanatory APOCALYPTICA PLAYS METALLICA BY FOUR CELLOS, took college radio by storm, the Finnish outfit were selling out arenas and scoring major rock hits. Far from a gimmick doomed to wear thin, Apocalyptica's cello rock dexterously explores the connection and chasm between classical and metal, balancing majestic, intricate covers with dark originals.






















![Halford III - Winter Songs [11/3] (CD) ~ Halford (Artist) Cover Art](http://i43.tower.com/images/ss113871177/halford-iii-winter-songs-cd-cover-art.jpg)








