Apocalyptica is a Finnish cello metal band, composed of classically trained cellists and, since 2005, a drummer. Three of the cellists are graduates of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Their music features elements from classical music, neo-classical metal,thrash metal, and symphonic metal.
Apocalyptica was formed in 1993 when four cellists, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Max Lilja, and Antero Manninen gathered to play Metallica covers at Sibelius-Academy.They performed 1995 in an after-Christmas party as a "Jailhouse Band" at the Teatro Heavy Metal Club.That evening the line-up was Toppinen,Lilja,Manninen and Perttu Kivilaakso- who was about to join the band permanently later,at 1999. Among the audience was Kari Hynninen, who worked for the independent label Zen Garden Records. After listening to Apocalyptica's set, Kari Hynninen signed them on the spot to Zen Garden Records.
