Let us not waste any time gushing about how great it is when bands play metal without using guitars. Instead, let us simply say this: when classically trained string players make epic thrash exclusively using distorted, classical stringed instruments, it sounds cool. It sounds very, very cool.



Having originally made a name for themselves playing Metallica covers on their cellos and violas, Finland’s Apocalyptica has branched out into creating originals. Originally released in 2003, Reflections - Revised is a re-release of the original Reflections album put out earlier the same year. The update comprises the original 13 tracks, plus several additional ones, some brand new, some updated versions of old ones with vocals added. The original album is, in a word, Killer.



More a single work in 13 movements (complete with “Prologue” and “Epilogue”) than a collection of individual songs, the original Reflections puts a whole new spin on “rock opera”. Granted, the album does occasionally miss the mark – and when it does, it has all the power of a particularly sappy Evanescence song. But when it hits – and it usually does – it’s simply devastating, combining the aggression of metal with the majesty of orchestral strings, conjuring images of Viking warriors speeding across frozen wastelands and angelic choirs heralding the end of the universe.



The additional tracks, unfortunately, are a bit anti-climactic. The songs with vocals are wholly skippable, given that the vocals don’t really fit with the songs and just take away from the best parts. And while the other tracks are fairly respectable (though none of them come close to achieving the awesomeness of “No Education” or “Toreador II”), listening to them after the Epilogue is…well, like I said – anti-climactic.

The moral of the story, then, is threefold:



1) String metal is the new hotness;

2) Re-releases must be undertaken carefully;

and 3) It is definitely in your best interest to get a copy of Reflections, but if you can only find the re-release, only put the first 13 tracks on your iPod.