APOCALYPTICA gifts METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD a pair of custom skis
24-06-2025
Earlier this month, Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA gifted METALLICA frontman James Hetfield with a pair of their custom skis made in collaboration with PUSU. Loska Apocalyptica is based on the award-winning PUSU Loska ski, featuring striking smoked oak top sheet and the majestic APOCALYPTICA logo and a Northern deadwood silhouette, narrating perseverance and grit. Handcrafted in Finland, this ski combines the ultimate performance and captivating design. The collaboration is rooted in shared values between PUSU and APOCALYPTICA: nature, sustainability, Finnish handcrafted artistry and meticulously composed design.
Earlier today, APOCALYPTICA shared a video of bandmember Eicca Toppinen presenting Hetfield with the skis, and included the following message: “Without METALLICA, APOCALYPTICA would not be the same band as it is now – probably not even exist! We’re very thankful for all the musical inspiration that shaped us as a band and the contribution to our album ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’.
“When we met James in Helsinki, we gave him the first pair of our Loska Apocalyptica skis by PUSU as a symbol of our gratitude. Who would have thought, 28 years ago when we started this, that we’ll become friends with these amazing guys and even work together on an APOCALYPTICA album!”
APOCALYPTICA released their cover of METALLICA‘s “One” on Friday, May 17. The track, which features guest appearances by METALLICA frontman James Hetfield and bassist Robert Trujillo, is taken from APOCALYPTICA‘s upcoming album, “Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2”. Due on June 7 via Throwdown Entertainment, the LP will continue the journey that began in 1996 when cellists from Helsinki’s world-renowned Sibelius Academy played symphonic tribute to the biggest of the big four–heavy metal titans METALLICA.
APOCALYPTICA said: “We have something very special for you! We’ve been hiding a very big secret for months now. As you hopefully know already, the new ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’ album is coming out soon, June 7th. Now, it is time to reveal some of the cool things that we´ve been holding back!
“The third single is about to be released May 17th. And yes, it will be a new version of ‘One’…featuring the master himself, James Hetfield!!! Yes, you read it correctly. APOCALYPTICA feat. James Hetfield and also Rob Trujillo!
“For us, this is truly amazing, incredible and most importantly such an honor! So better wait for it and pre-save the single right away, because we are 100% sure it´s going to blow your mind!”
APOCALYPTICA has previously shared the official music video for the band’s cover of METALLICA‘s “The Unforgiven II”.
Watch The Unforgiven II below.
APOCALYPTICA‘s lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso comments: “We wanted to balance what we were doing between old and new. ‘The Unforgiven II’ has such beautiful melodies and the lyrics are great, too. I loved the fact that we’ve been able to bind this record and our first record together in this way.”
The album’s lead single, “The Four Horsemen”, a song that originally appeared on METALLICA‘s 1983 debut “Kill ‘Em All”, features a guest appearance by METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo.
Watch “The Four Horsemen” below.
Kivilaakso told the DJ Force X Podcast about how Trujillo‘s involvement came about: “This album concept has, in a way, been in our minds for throughout the whole career. We always knew that there are still a lot of cool METALLICA songs that we wanted play our style one day. So, but now after the pandemic and everything, this felt the exact right moment to dive back to the roots.”
He continued: “We have always had a wonderful relation with METALLICA — they have been enormously supportive towards us always — but still we approached them to ask that would they agree, would it be fine for them if we make such an album. And through those conversations, actually, eventually Rob even offered that he could play something for us. And that’s an enormous, amazing feature, of course, to be treated like that. And it really, really shows respect also from their side. And we are very, very thankful for it.”
When “Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2” was first announced, APOCALYPTICA said in a statement: “The first single we want to present to you is ‘The Four Horsemen’. And we couldn’t be more excited to have a great feature guest on it: Rob Trujillo himself, who is probably THE greatest bass player in this whole wide world! We’ve always enjoyed sharing our love for METALLICA. Now, this is next level for us as well!”
APOCALYPTICA leader Eicca Toppinen commented: “It’s the coolest thing. We didn’t push; it was offered. We played the first album live and it was so much more fun and exciting than we expected, so we got the idea to do something like the first album, but we couldn’t do it in exactly the same way; we needed to challenge ourselves and bring a totally new perspective to the original energy and emotion of METALLICA.”
Kivilaakso added: “We’ve been talking about making another METALLICA album for around 20 years, as there were still so many great songs we wanted to play! We waited for the perfect moment to do it. Thinking of that teenage me who is now getting to play his favorite tracks gives me goosebumps!”
This album will be the APOCALYPTICA‘s final studio release with the band’s longtime member, drummer Mikko Sirén, who amicably departed after the new LP’s completion. “Plays Metallica Vol. 2” was produced by longtime collaborator and studio supremo Joe Barresi (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, SOUNDGARDEN, NINE INCH NAILS, TOOL).
Alongside the announcement, APOCALYPTICA will be touring in support of the record, taking them through Europe.
“Plays Metallica Vol. 2” track listing:
01. Ride The Lightning
02. St Anger
03. The Unforgiven II
04. Blackened
05. The Call Of Ktulu (in memory of Cliff Burton)
06. The Four Horsemen (featuring Robert Trujillo)
07. Holier Than Thou
08. To Live Is To Die
09. One
10. One (Instrumental)
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