I've been a
fan of Apocalyptica for what seems like forever. Their cello metal hits all the
right notes with me, and I've loved every album of original music they've ever
released. These Finnish musicians are extremely talented from delicate,
beautiful ballads to stormy, violent passages. So, with this live album, I was
excited to hear from them once again.
I have to admit that I come away disappointed. The concept
behind this live show is a collaboration with the MDR Leipzig Symphony
Orchestra. This collaboration has the purpose of giving tribute to the two
hundredth anniversary of the birth of German composer, Richard Wagner. This is
an honorable purpose, and Apocalyptica has created all new compositions to
commemorate this occasion. This event is simultaneously the highlight and
drawback to this live show.
Apocalyptica has so much personality. They are capable of so
many styles and tones, and they have the ability to create pictures and stories
in your head. I don't get any of that here. These compositions seem so forced
and so flat that I can't help but be, well, bored. Most of the songs sound the
same. Most of the songs have the same even-tempered tone. Most of the songs are
completely forgettable. Now, this doesn't mean the music is bad. It just means
that the music isn't up to the band's normally incredible level.
When I heard the long, low siren at the beginning, I was
getting excited about what I was about to hear. I was obviously disappointed. I
can't help but wonder if it would have been better to modify some of their own
tunes to commemorate the occasion. Possibly, they could have just put new
interludes or something. But these compositions are completely new, and they
lack bite and personality.
I applaud these guys for their purpose here. And, I'm sure the
show is breath-taking live. However, this live album is completely unnecessary
for me. The music is bland and the Apocalyptica element is somehow missing. A
good effort for a great event, but it just doesn't jive with me totally.
