Apocalyptica Plays Metallica – Vol 2 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto

This week’s adventure took me to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto to see Apocalyptica and Nita Strauss. Despite the freezing temperatures outside and the snowstorm that had blanketed Toronto the night before, fans braved the cold to witness a powerful night of symphonic metal, with the crowd packing the venue, nearly reaching its seating capacity of 1,140.

Opening the night was Nita Strauss, whose fiery performance set the tone for the evening. Strauss, known for her blazing guitar skills and stage presence, captivated the crowd from the very first note. As the band powered through songs like Momentum, Scorched, and Digital Bullets, it was evident that Strauss had a special connection with the audience. At one point, she encouraged fans to raise their lights high for Scorched, sharing a message of being a light for others. The crowd responded, lighting up the venue and creating an intimate moment. On tour with Nita Strauss for this leg of the tour are Johnny D. Young on rhythm guitar, Katt Scarlett on keyboards, and her husband, Josh Villalta, on drums—minus a bass player. The show reached its peak when vocalist Kasey Karlsen joined her for the final four songs, getting the crowd on their feet and keeping the energy high.

When Apocalyptica took the stage, the atmosphere shifted into something darker and more majestic. The Finnish symphonic metal outfit, consisting of Eicca Toppinen, Perttu Kivilaakso, Paavo Lötjönen, and new drummer Mikko Kaakkuriniemi, delivered a truly unforgettable performance. The band, renowned for using cellos to reinterpret heavy metal, showed their deep admiration for Metallica’s catalog, with each song feeling like a tribute to the legendary band. Eicca Toppinen joked that every song in their setlist was their favorite, setting a lighthearted tone before diving into a sequence of Metallica covers.

From Ride the Lightning to Enter Sandman, the crowd was immediately hooked. Apocalyptica’s cellos created a haunting yet triumphant atmosphere, and the crowd was more than happy to participate, especially during Seek & Destroy, when the audience joined in to sing the chorus. When they played Nothing Else Matters, the crowd rose to their feet, offering a standing ovation that seemed to last for minutes.

The band’s performance of The Call of Ktulu stood out as a particularly moving moment, with Eicca dedicating it to Metallica’s late bassist Cliff Burton. He spoke about the influence Burton had on metal music, and the way his legacy continues to inspire musicians today. Apocalyptica’s ability to honor this legacy, while still making these songs their own, was evident throughout the show.

As the night progressed, the band dove deeper into their Plays Metallica Vol. 2 album, playing tracks like “St. Anger,” “The Four Horsemen,” and culminating in a powerful encore performance of “One”. It was clear that the challenges of learning and performing these iconic tracks were not lost on the band, but their passion and dedication were clear. With their cello-driven renditions, they brought a new dimension to these metal anthems.

In a night that celebrated both the legacy of Metallica and the unique artistry of Apocalyptica, the audience was treated to a musical experience unlike any other. With a tour that blends symphonic beauty and heavy metal fury, Apocalyptica once again proves that they are masters of their craft.

Thank you so much, Jenny Naumann from Odyssey-Music.net for the accreditation.

Apocalyptica

Nita Strauss

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Drew Osborne

I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.