Sixx:A.M.
Apocalyptica

Worcester Palladium
April 25, 2015

After years of resisting becoming an actual band, and not just a studio band, Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx has taken his side project Sixx:A.M. on its first headlining tour. Supporting them are Finnish cello metal band, Apocalyptica.

 


Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica started out in the early 90’s as a Metallica tribute band, but with the music played entirely on cellos. These days, it’s easy to find string tributes to just about any artist, and many of them don’t have a lot of thought behind them, they just replicate the songs exactly. Apocalyptica came out at a time before this was common, and really carved their own place in music. Over the years the band has progressed, adding original songs, drums, guest vocals, and now with 2015’s Shadowmaker (reviewed here), they have their first album and touring cycle with a dedicated singer, Franky Perez.

We had a chance to sit down with cellist Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén before the show, and talk with them about about the making of Shadowmaker, and the process of bringing Perez into the mix with them. Check out that interview here!

Tonight, Apocalyptica played songs off Shadowmaker some of their classic cover songs, as well as their biggest radio hit, “I Don’t Care,” which originally featured former Three Days Grace singer Adam Gontier. Franky did a great job on the new material, as well as the songs which he did not originally perform on. When they took things down a bit to play Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” the entire venue sang along.

Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica cellist Perttu Kivilaakso

Apocalyptica really has created their own genre, and at that, it’s one that is constantly evolving!

Setlist
Cold Blood
Grace
Inquisition Symphony
Nothing Else Matters
Shadowmaker
I Don’t Care
In the Hall of the Mountain King

 


Sixx:A.M.

Sixx:A.M.

Nikki Sixx of Sixx:A.M.


When Mötley Crüe bass player Nikki Sixx was working on his book, 2007’s The Heroin Diaries, he began writing a concept album that went along with the book as a soundtrack. As Sixx, guitarist DJ Ashba and vocalist James Michael wrote and recorded what became Sixx:A.M.’s debut album, they never had any intentions to tour with this project, just write and release music. Three albums later, they’ve accepted that there is a demand for them, and they are finally on their first headlining tour.

All three albums were well represented in their set, including my personal favorite, the title track off 2011’s This is Gonna Hurt, a cover of “Drive” by The Cars, and ending the show with their biggest hit, “Life is Beautiful.”

Sixx:A.M. is a very different beast from Mötley Crüe. Crüe puts on a show like no other, but Sixx:A.M. had an energy that I’ve never seen at a Mötley Crüe show. I was extremely impressed, and surely hope that this tour isn’t a one time thing!

Sixx:A.M.

Sixx:A.M. vocalist James Michael

Setlist
Let’s Go
Give Me a Love
Relief
This Is Gonna Hurt
Pray for Me
Dead Man’s Ballet
Accidents Can Happen
Miracle
Live Forever
Gotta Get It Right
Drive
Help Is on the Way
Goodbye My Friends
Lies of the Beautiful People
Stars

Skin
Life Is Beautiful

One comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.