Since they formed in 1993, Finnish orchestral rock band Apocalyptica has released six studio albums featuring numerous cello-based instrumentals along with some vocal-based songs. Whatever styles they've explored -- from atmospheric interludes to fast, battering rhythms -- their music has been gripping, dynamic and full of melody. But with their seventh album, 7th Symphony the band has composed an album that not just symphonic, it's practically a symphony.
"The instrumental stuff is more instrumental than anything we've done before," says lead songwriter and cellist Eicca Toppinen. "For the previous albums, we sometimes had songs which had the potential for vocal tracks, but turned ...