Formed in 1993 at the world-renowned Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, Apocalyptica began life as a loving, lo-fi nod to Metallica from four classically-trained musicians. The project would take on a life of its own when they finally released Plays Metallica By Four Cellos in 1996.

Unbeknownst to Apocalyptica, they'd just boarded a rocket ship that would propel them through eight rapturously received records, a staggering six million records sold, and a relentless touring schedule.

And it was on the anniversary - when the band's debut turned 25 - that an idea came about. The result was a sonic love-letter - an album they'd simply title Plays Metallica, Vol. 2, and the passion poured into the recording project is plain to hear and see.

Judging by the deep cuts and recent highlights making up Apocalyptica's ninth album, this is no mere best-of. It would see them featuring Rob Trujillo on a storming rendition of thrash classic The Four Horsemen as a lead single, followed by a stunning rendition The Unforgiven II taken from Metallica's 1997 release, Reload. For their third single, the band released a unique reimagining of One, taken from Metallica's 1988 landmark ...And Justice For All. Featuring Metallica frontman James Hetfield voicing a spoken-word rendition of those inimitable, now immortal lyrics, it stands as far more than a unique collaboration. It is nothing short of history in the making.