Words and Photos by Alitzia Tyminski
Apocalyptica and Nita Strauss arrived to Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, their unstoppable force surpassed the largest snowstorm Toronto had since 2022.
I write this on Valentine’s Day in the afterglow of an anticipated and extraordinary tour package of 2025 in the metal universe and how live music keeps us warm during the black winter days until spring arrives.
Apocalyptica are composed of four members with three classically trained cellists. Perttu Kivilaakso, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen are joined by drummer Mikko Kaakkuriniemi and are originally from Helsinki, Finland formed in 1993 and are globally renowned for their own classical rendition of Metallica classics spanning from Kill Em’ All to Reload.
The Apocalyptica ‘”Plays Metallica Vol. 2” North American tour is an exclusive live experience of their 10th studio album released last summer of 2024 Plays Metallica Vol. 2 and a follow-up to their 1996 release.
While many associate Apocalyptica with Metallica covers and its mainstream showcase on Tim Burton’s Wednesday television series, Apocalyptica have also covered Sepultura, Faith No More and Pantera, composed their own fine-tuned originals and collaborated with Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Simone Simons (Epica) and many others.
The Queen Elizabeth Theatre held the audience in assigned seating (although many stood and headbanged from their seats) with a balcony on both sides and a fan waving a giant Canadian flag as they opened with the thunderous, “Ride The Lightning”.
Apocalyptica presented a special tribute to Cliff Burton and spoke about how his timeless legacy resides in their hearts. Perttu growled into the microphone, “Time marches on! Louder Toronto!” as the audience sang during “For Whom The Bells Toll.”
Before they launched into St. Anger, they asked the audience, “How many of you consider St. Anger in your top 10?” which was received by near silence and a “meh” in Toronto! They jokingly continued, “Top 20? Top 30?” which brought the audience to roaring laughter.
An ongoing debate of whether St. Anger is an underappreciated masterpiece or Apocalyptica’s homage on Plays Metallica Vol.2 is better than the original, regardless Apocalyptica proves the genius of Metallica.
Apocalyptica are more than a live performance and technical musicianship, they encompass an ethereal magic in their presence, every moment, every movement, every note, every pause is orchestrated organically into their interpretation and evidently does complete justice to Metallica.
It was my third time seeing shredding Queen Nita Strauss (touring guitarist for Demi Lovato and Alice Cooper) come through Toronto as a solo artist with heavy hitters
Kasey Karlson (Vocalist), Johnny D. Young (Guitarist), Katt Scarlett (Keyboards) and Josh Villalta (Drums).
The stage lighting was backlit and the choice of neon colours were symbolic of Nita Strauss’ latest album, The Call Of The Void. In keeping with the thrash theme of the evening, Nita Strauss who became the first female artist to become a signature artist with Ibanez guitars was soaring on her fire red Ibanez and power punches from all members opening the set with the triumphant “Momentum”.
I was in hopes of finally being able to photograph touring vocalist Kasey Karlson (Deadlands) who came out after the first three songs.
Since I first saw Kasey who was handpicked by Nita Strauss perform on her first run in 2023, she has continually pursued her craft and has grown as a vocalist which reflected strongly in her performance as she stood on the podium growling, “The Wolf You Feed!”.
Kasey will also be touring with Girli and Scene Queen later this year and metalcore Deadlands have recently released a new single “Kundalini” in collaboration with The Pretty Wild.
I have been transported to guitar heaven in the last two weeks witnessing legendary guitarists Jerry Cantrell and Marty Friedman both masters in their own right and currently on tour in North America, Nita Strauss (also a fan of Marty Friedman and Jason Becker!) is one of my all-time favourite guitarists. She harnesses her own entity.
Apocalyptica closed the evening with an endearing message to Toronto who they refer to as the “Maple Leafs!” Eicca (the inventor of Apocalyptica) said, “Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, love yourselves and be kind to yourselves! See you soon! Apocalyptica will be back that’s for fucking sure!”
Kiitos as they say in Finland!
Additional photos:
The post APOCALYPTICA / NITA STRAUSS – Symphony Of Shred In Toronto! appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...
Apocalyptica and Nita Strauss arrived to Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, their unstoppable force surpassed the largest snowstorm Toronto had since 2022.
I write this on Valentine’s Day in the afterglow of an anticipated and extraordinary tour package of 2025 in the metal universe and how live music keeps us warm during the black winter days until spring arrives.
Apocalyptica are composed of four members with three classically trained cellists. Perttu Kivilaakso, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen are joined by drummer Mikko Kaakkuriniemi and are originally from Helsinki, Finland formed in 1993 and are globally renowned for their own classical rendition of Metallica classics spanning from Kill Em’ All to Reload.
The Apocalyptica ‘”Plays Metallica Vol. 2” North American tour is an exclusive live experience of their 10th studio album released last summer of 2024 Plays Metallica Vol. 2 and a follow-up to their 1996 release.
While many associate Apocalyptica with Metallica covers and its mainstream showcase on Tim Burton’s Wednesday television series, Apocalyptica have also covered Sepultura, Faith No More and Pantera, composed their own fine-tuned originals and collaborated with Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Simone Simons (Epica) and many others.
The Queen Elizabeth Theatre held the audience in assigned seating (although many stood and headbanged from their seats) with a balcony on both sides and a fan waving a giant Canadian flag as they opened with the thunderous, “Ride The Lightning”.
Apocalyptica presented a special tribute to Cliff Burton and spoke about how his timeless legacy resides in their hearts. Perttu growled into the microphone, “Time marches on! Louder Toronto!” as the audience sang during “For Whom The Bells Toll.”
Before they launched into St. Anger, they asked the audience, “How many of you consider St. Anger in your top 10?” which was received by near silence and a “meh” in Toronto! They jokingly continued, “Top 20? Top 30?” which brought the audience to roaring laughter.
An ongoing debate of whether St. Anger is an underappreciated masterpiece or Apocalyptica’s homage on Plays Metallica Vol.2 is better than the original, regardless Apocalyptica proves the genius of Metallica.
Apocalyptica are more than a live performance and technical musicianship, they encompass an ethereal magic in their presence, every moment, every movement, every note, every pause is orchestrated organically into their interpretation and evidently does complete justice to Metallica.
It was my third time seeing shredding Queen Nita Strauss (touring guitarist for Demi Lovato and Alice Cooper) come through Toronto as a solo artist with heavy hitters
Kasey Karlson (Vocalist), Johnny D. Young (Guitarist), Katt Scarlett (Keyboards) and Josh Villalta (Drums).
The stage lighting was backlit and the choice of neon colours were symbolic of Nita Strauss’ latest album, The Call Of The Void. In keeping with the thrash theme of the evening, Nita Strauss who became the first female artist to become a signature artist with Ibanez guitars was soaring on her fire red Ibanez and power punches from all members opening the set with the triumphant “Momentum”.
I was in hopes of finally being able to photograph touring vocalist Kasey Karlson (Deadlands) who came out after the first three songs.
Since I first saw Kasey who was handpicked by Nita Strauss perform on her first run in 2023, she has continually pursued her craft and has grown as a vocalist which reflected strongly in her performance as she stood on the podium growling, “The Wolf You Feed!”.
Kasey will also be touring with Girli and Scene Queen later this year and metalcore Deadlands have recently released a new single “Kundalini” in collaboration with The Pretty Wild.
I have been transported to guitar heaven in the last two weeks witnessing legendary guitarists Jerry Cantrell and Marty Friedman both masters in their own right and currently on tour in North America, Nita Strauss (also a fan of Marty Friedman and Jason Becker!) is one of my all-time favourite guitarists. She harnesses her own entity.
Apocalyptica closed the evening with an endearing message to Toronto who they refer to as the “Maple Leafs!” Eicca (the inventor of Apocalyptica) said, “Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, love yourselves and be kind to yourselves! See you soon! Apocalyptica will be back that’s for fucking sure!”
Kiitos as they say in Finland!
Additional photos:
The post APOCALYPTICA / NITA STRAUSS – Symphony Of Shred In Toronto! appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...
