Self-effacement doesn't seem to be a trait of Apocalyptica if one pays attention to the title of their tenth anniversary celebration record - performing heavy music with classical instruments may be original, but I wouldn't call it reinventing the instrument. Regardless, Apocalyptica should be respected for their courage and distinctiveness. Apocalyptica sounds like Apocalyptica... there aren't exactly similar artists out there. On this compilation disc-set the group has included two new tracks, namely "Repressed" and "Angel of Death", to reel in their fans. Otherwise this record is one of those "best of..." collections, and doesn't have much new content to offer.

I've always had mixed thoughts regarding Apocalyptica's pieces. At times they perform fortuitous sections, but as a whole their songs often aren't as impressive as I'd like. Especially the fact that there are sometimes less successful parts bothers me. This is apparent, for example, on Refuse/Resist. Nonetheless, as often is the case, Apocalyptica has improved throughout these years and this compilation proves it. Their songs with vocals are often better than their instrumental works - though some of their instrumentals are really good as well.

The production on Apocalyptica's records has never been as good as I'd wish. Though it has improved a bit from the early days, it still could be better. For example, the new track with Max Cavalera (Bullet for My Valentine) and Matt Tuck (Soulfly, ex-Sepultura) is a bit of a let-down. Max Cavalera sounds a lot better on the latest BFMV album. In addition, the sounds on their early material aren't exactly pleasing (they're quite cold and grating). This all just proves that Svante Försback is definitely overrated as a mastering engineer. In spite of all, Apocalyptica is still an interesting group, and it'll be intriguing to see what they'll have in store for us in the future.

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- MAGE (June 26th, 2006)

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LINE-UP:
Toppinen, Eicca: Cello Kivilaakso, Perttu: Cello Lötjönen, Paavo: Cello Sirén, Mikko: Drums with Lagespetz, Juhani: Piano with following drummers Kuoppamäki, Sami Lombardo, Dave Jämsä, Teijo with following cellists Lilja, Max Manninen, Antero with following vocalists Tuck, Matt Cavalera, Max Ylönen, Lauri Valo, Ville Sayer, Matze Manu Sundblad, Linda Hagen, Nina
Producer:	Apocalyptica; Ritaluoto, Pekka; Dinner, Otto; Hilesmaa, Hiili & Toppinen, Eicca
Mixing by:	Ritaluoto, Pekka; Heininen, Juha; Karmila, Mikko; Oksala, T-T; Glaumann, Stefan; Raita, Mikko & Toppinen, Eicca
Mastering by:	Försback, Svante

	TRACKLIST:
	CD1 (Instrumental) 01. Enter Sandman 02. Harmageddon 03. Nothing Else Matters 04. Refuse/Resist 05. Somewhere Around Nothing 06. Betrayal 07. Farewell 08. Master of Puppets 09. Hall of the Mountain King 10. One 11. Heat 12. Cohkka 13. Kaamos 14. Deathzone 15. Angel of Death Length: 67:56 CD2 (Vocals) 01. Repressed 02. Path Vol. 2 03. Bittersweet 04. Hope Vol. 2 05. En Vie 06. Faraway Vol. 2 07. Life Burns 08. Seemann Length: 33:31 Total Length: 101:27