Disco de Apocalyptica: “Reflections [Bonus Tracks]”

After Apocalyptica released Cult, the band went through some issues together. The returned to the studio to record Reflections, this time with only 3 members (2 from the original lineup) and included more percussion (which they barely touched on Cult). This album features no metal covers at all, which takes away from what made them so addicting in the first place, however they bring in legendary drummer Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Grip Inc., Etc.) to play drums on tracks 1,2,4,8 and 10. The results are devastating especially with his Drum solo on somewhere around nothing. The rest of the songs feature other drummers, but for the most part the drumming is simple. As for the cello playing throughout the CD; its top notch. I still feel that inquisition Symphony is their best album because the covers were so amazing and the three original songs were awesome as well. Reflections contains both the Metal Cello songs and original classic material that should appeal to everyone, new fans and old.

If you are already a big Apocalyptica fan, I suggest you hunt down the re-released import edition titled Reflections Revised. It contains five bonus tracks (Seemann (Rammstein Cover) featuring Nina Hagen, Faraway Vol. 2 (featuring Linda, who honestly kills the original song), Delusion, Perdition and Leave Me Alone.) There is also a second disc, a DVD featuring live videos from two concerts with them playing Nothing Else Matters, Somewhere Around Nothing, Faraway, Enter Sandman and Inquisition Symphony. We also get the music videos for Faraway Vol. 2 and Seemann as well as the making of the music videos and the members of Apocalyptica talking about the making of the album Reflections. Mine features different artwork as well and is actually a darkened night version of the original picture.

So there you have it. Try and hunt down Reflections Revised with eBay or something. The bonus content is worth it. Even if you don't get the revised edition, you're still going to get an amazing CD. Its well worth the money, had this CD had even a handful of metal covers, it would easily been their best CD and topped Inquisition Symphony. Hoped this helped.

Great listening. Mood altering in a positive way. Wonderful to hear the cello being played in a unique way by these young and talented men.

oops. I saw Apocalyptica live in D.C. with their drummer and I rescind all previous comments about percussion being a bad idea.

Yes, I like Reflections. Yes, I love Apocalyptica, and this album is good and I'm happy that someone had the sense to release it in the States. But here's the thing. Part of Apocalyptica's appeal was the fact that their music was exclusively created by cellos. On "Inquisition Symphony" they even boasted about this. On "Cult", Path Vol. 2 (when they brought in a vocalist) was really f'in cool. Yes, I'm glad that they want to experiment and "expand their sound" and I want the group to feel free creatively, but the addition of percussive elements on some tracks on this album seems to take away from their unique, original butt-kickin' nature, the feeling of "Oh my god, they made all this crazy noise with just /cellos/?!" So, Apocalytpica is still doing well, but I fear with the addition of other instruments they have become just another orchestral metal band.

This is great music. Dark and powerful, but filled with fluid melodies. Anyone who enjoys classical music and heavy metal will revel in this intoxicating mixture.

when I hear this album for first time i thought "wow... what incredible CD", and now that I have it and hear it with attention, I know that i'm right. it have "fast and furious" tracks (like Pandemonium and Toreador II) that make you forget that are cellos, and tracks with a sadness movements (like Faraway or Epilogue). the CD also contain a video-bonus "Somewhere around nothing" and 4 bonus track. this CD is a "must have it" for all Apocalyptica fan.