APOCALYPTICA's '7th Symphony' Cracks U.S. Top 40

"7th Symphony", the new album from the Finnish rock cello quartet APOCALYPTICA, sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 31 on The Billboard 200 chart. The majority of the album was produced by Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, BAD RELIGION), with two other songs produced by Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH).

Just like on their previous album, "Worlds Collide", APOCALYPTICA has employed guest vocalists for several tracks on the record. APOCALYPTICA member Eicca Toppinen told The Pulse of Radio that it's always a challenge to fit the band's music around each individual singer's style. "You know, there's certain challenges, but we also, we always want to see how the vocals fit in that, "he said. "(But) after that, we work on the arrangements and see what else with the cellos we can create around the vocals. But I think with everybody — we've been so lucky to work with some great people, so it's always pretty easy."

APOCALYPTICA traveled to Los Angeles in early June to shoot a music video for "End Of Me", the first single from "7th Symphony". The song features BUSH singer Gavin Rossdale on vocals, with Rossdale also making an appearance in the video.

Other guest artists on "7th Symphony" include SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith, FLYLEAF singer Lacey Mosley, vocalist Joseph Duplantier of French metal act GOJIRA and drummer Dave Lombardo from SLAYER.

"7th Symphony" track listing:

01. At the Gates of Manala
02. End of Me
03. Not Strong Enough
04. 2010
05. Beautiful
06. Broken Pieces
07. On the Rooftop With Quasimodo
08. Bring Them To Light
09. Sacra
10. Rage of Poseidon

A seven-minute EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "7th Symphony" can be viewed below.

2008's "Worlds Collide" was the first APOCALYPTICA album to really break through in the U.S., as well as the first by the band to make major use of vocals after a number of instrumental outings.

Vocalists on that record included THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Adam Gontier, LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia, RAMMSTEIN frontman Til Lindemann and SLIPKNOT vocalist Corey Taylor, who sang on the single, "I'm Not Jesus".