Today's Edition
RAIED SHUQUM (ABU DHABI)
Finnish cello rock band Apocalyptica is set to make their UAE debut on September 13 at The Agenda in Media City.
The band will bring their “Plays Metallica Vol. 2 Tour 2024” to Dubai, featuring high-octane rock melodies played on cellos in an electrifying metal-classical fusion.
This event promises to be a spectacular experience for music lovers. The “Lebanese Ambassadors of Doom,” Kimaera, a pioneering force in the Middle Eastern metal scene, will open the show for Apocalyptica after winning a competition.
Formed in 2000, Kimaera has captivated audiences with their powerful blend of death metal and symphonic elements.
The band has released four critically acclaimed albums, including “Imperivm” in 2022, and has performed alongside renowned acts such as Paradise Lost, Epica, and Katatonia, pushing the boundaries of metal music in the Middle East.
“It’s a huge honour to open the show for Apocalyptica in Dubai next month, and we are really excited to be performing in front of a big and new crowd at The Agenda, one of the UAE’s most popular music venues,” Kimaera said in a media statement.
"As a metal band active in the region since the year 2000, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to come back to one of our favourite cities, and fans coming along to the event are in for an epic musical journey. This is a show not to be missed!"
“The MENA region is a hotbed of musical talent, and competitions such as this one provide artists with a platform to impress. We will be flying the flag for many of those acts when we take to the stage in Dubai, and we can’t wait to see you all there,” the group added.
Kimaera being selected to open for Apocalyptica at The Agenda is indicative of the incredible pool of musical talent being nurtured in the UAE, Thomas Ovesen, CEO All Things Live Middle East, also said in the statement.
“At All Things Live, we recognise the Middle East as a region which is eager to watch the hottest music acts from across the world. The local metal scene is packed full of talent, and we are delighted to give Kimaera a platform to showcase their abilities in front of a large audience.”
Apocalyptica’s performance in Dubai follows a summer of career milestones, including the release of their studio album “Plays Metallica Vol. 2.”
The 10-track album features the single “One” with Metallica frontman James Hetfield, and an instrumental version with bassist Robert Trujillo.
The tour began in Helsinki, with the Dubai date preceding shows in Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, London, and Dublin.
Apocalyptica was formed in 1993 in Helsinki. The group originally started as a Metallica tribute band, performing classical-style covers of Metallica songs using cellos.
The founding members were Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Max Lilja, and Antero Manninen, all classically trained cellists from the Sibelius Academy.
Their debut album, “Plays Metallica by Four Cellos” (1996), featured eight Metallica covers and gained significant attention. Over time, Apocalyptica evolved their style to include original compositions and collaborations with various artists.
Their second album, “Inquisition Symphony” (1998), included covers of other metal bands like Faith No More and Sepultura, as well as original tracks.
In 2000, Perttu Kivilaakso replaced Antero Manninen, and the band released “Cult”, which marked a shift towards more original material.
They continued to innovate with albums like “Reflections” (2003), which featured orchestral percussion and guest musicians.
Apocalyptica’s unique blend of classical music and heavy metal has earned them a global following.
They released several albums, including “Worlds Collide” (2007) and “7th Symphony” (2010), and collaborated with artists such as Ville Valo of HIM and Dave Lombardo of Slayer.
Kimaera was founded by vocalist and guitarist Jean-Pierre Haddad in Beirut.
The band’s music is a unique blend of oriental metal, doom metal, and death metal, often incorporating gothic undertones with melodic interludes of violins, pianos, and occasional female vocals.
Their journey began with the release of the self-produced single “God’s Wrath” in 2004, which caught the attention of Stygian Crypt Productions.
This led to the release of their debut album “Ebony Veiled” in 2006. The band continued to build their reputation with their second album, “Solitary Impact” (2010), and their third album, “The Harbinger of Doom” (2013), both of which were well-received¹.
They have performed at major festivals, including the Masters of Rock festival in the Czech Republic. Jean-Pierre Haddad passed away in 2022, but the band continues to honour his legacy through their music.
