Apocalyptica: Worlds Collide (20-20/Jive), @ KFMA Day/Pima County Fairgrounds, Friday 5/16

[Weekly Rhythm and Views]

When people think of heavy metal, certain words come to mind: black, anger, loud and ... cellos?

Bringing what can be referred to as cello/stringed metal, Finland's Apocalyptica have returned with a new studio effort, Worlds Collide. No longer will the group be thought of as just a stringed Metallica cover band: Worlds Collide will likely be viewed as their breakthrough album.

Although Apocalyptica has three cellists and a drummer, a slew of guest musicians help aid to the album’s epic musical journey. Slipknot/Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor lends his emotion-filled voice to the album’s first single, “I’m Not Jesus.”

Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo returns to assist Apocalyptica with the track “Last Hope.” Lombardo blasts away in his signature thrash-metal style, and the highlight of the track is hearing the cellists keep up with his tempo.

The lone cover song on Worlds Collide is a rendition of David Bowie’s “Heroes,” here called “Helden” and sung in German by Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann. Very reminiscent of a Rammstein-esque ballad, “Helden” takes listeners on a swooning, emotional rollercoaster thanks to Lindemann’s deep vocal stylings.

Aside from the guest musicians, the songs featuring just the band are quite stellar themselves. The title track and “Ion” are musical journeys that display the diverse talents of the classically trained cellists.

--Jon Hobson

Apocalyptica will be playing as part of KFMA Day on Friday, May 16, at the Pima County Fairgrounds. For tickets, visit www.kfma.com.