The Best of Heavy Metal Cello Music
A collection of the best heavy metal cello music. From Bach to Metallica, these pieces showcase the range and power of the cello.
Classical metal
Classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that fuses classical music with heavy metal. It typically features classical instrumentation, melodic hooks and powerful vocals. Classical metal is typically considered more accessible than other subgenres of heavy metal, as it is often more melodic and features cleaner vocal production.
Metallica – “Enter Sandman”
Hetfield’s simple, catchy opening guitar riff is one of the most iconic in all of metal. And it features some absolutely killer shredding from Kirk Hammett. The rest of the song is just as good, with a great bass line from Robert Trujillo and some outstanding drum work from Lars Ulrich. This is one of Metallica’s best songs, and it’s one of the most iconic in all of metal.
Apocalyptica – “Path”
Apocalyptica is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The group is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Siren. Originally a Metallica classical tribute band, they eventually adopted a neoclassical metal style without the use of conventional guitars. They have sold over four million albums to date.[1]
“Path” is the second single from Apocalyptica’s third studio album, Cult. It was released on May 14, 2000. The song peaked at No. 1 in Finland and No. 19 in Germany.[2]
Power metal
Power metal is a music genre that combines elements of traditional heavy metal with speed metal and sometimes even progressive rock. Power metal is typically characterized by fast tempos, powerful guitar riffs, and operatic vocals. If you’re a fan of heavy metal music, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the best power metal cello music out there!
Dragonforce – “Through the Fire and Flames”
Dragonforce is a power metal band from the United Kingdom. Their 2006 single “Through the Fire and Flames” is one of the most famous and well-known heavy metal songs of all time, and is often considered one of the most difficult songs to play on guitar.
Two Steps From Hell – “Protectors of the Earth”
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic contexts. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster tempo, often coupled with fast double bass drumming and melodic, yet highly technical guitar work.
Two Steps From Hell is an American production music company based in Los Angeles, California, founded by Thomas J. Bergersen and Nick Phoenix in 2006. The company specializes in movie and video game trailer music.
“Protectors of the Earth” is a song by Two Steps from Hell, composed by Thomas J. Bergersen from the album SkyWorld. The song has been used in many popular trailers, including for the films John Carter (2012), Man of Steel (2013), The Expendables 3 (2014) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
Death metal
A lot of people don’t know this, but some of the best heavy metal cello music comes from the death metal genre. Death metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1980s. It is characterized by its loud, distorted, and aggressive sound.
Children of Bodom – “Downfall”
Child of Bodom is a Finnish melodic death metal band from Espoo. The band was formed in 1993, and they have released nine studio albums, two live albums, two EPs, one compilation album, and one DVD.
Their tenth album, Hexed, was released on March 8, 2019. On October 4th, 2019 it was announced that guitarist AlexanderKuoppala had left the band and would be replaced by Marcus Vanhala of Ensiferum.
“Downfall” is a song by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom. It was released as the fourth single from their ninth studio album I Worship Chaos on September 18th, 2015. The song peaked at number three on the Finnish Singles Chart.
Behemoth – “Ov Fire and the Void”
Polish death metal masters Behemoth are known for their dark, occult themed lyrics and over the top stage shows. But it’s their musicianship that really sets them apart from the pack. “Ov Fire and the Void” is a perfect example of what this band is capable of, with it’s blistering riffage and face melting solo.
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a genre of heavy metal that combines the heavy drums and guitars with classical instruments such as the violin, cello, and piano. This creates a unique sound that is both heavier and more complex than traditional heavy metal music. Many symphonic metal bands also use female vocalists, which adds to the genre’s complexity and heaviness.
Nightwish – “Amaranth”
“Amaranth” is a song by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Dark Passion Play (2007), on August 24, 2007. The single peaked at No. 1 in Finland and No. 2 in Hungary and Spain. A remixed version of “Amaranth” was included in the remix album Imaginaerum: The Score (2012).
Epica – “The Phantom Agony”
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in 2002 by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen after his departure from After Forever. The band consists of eight members: singer Simone Simons, bassist Rob van der Loo, guitarist Isaac Delahaye, drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek, and keyboardists Coen Janssen, Jamie-Lee Smit and Ruben Wijgaard. Joining them are two live members; Aurora Barbé on rhythm guitar and Iraq war veteran Simone Mularoni on lead guitar.
The group’s debut album “The Phantom Agony” was released in 2003; it marked the beginning of the band’s epic, violin-backed sound. A concept album about “a person condemned to relive his worst memories over and over again until they eventually drive him insane”, the record was launched with a concert at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam which was sold out six weeks in advance.
