Reflections

在专辑《Reflections》里，Apocalyptica不再单独的使用大提琴，其中加入了鼓，贝斯，键盘等多种元素。换句话说也就是Apocalyptica在纯正的摇滚风格中用大提琴代替了吉他。对于这一点相较前几张专辑而言，其他元素的加入并没有使大提琴的发挥受到影响。相反的这些元素使得大提琴的音色更加突出更为醒目。这对Apocalyptica来说不能不算是一个突破。从头至尾兼具凄美和速度感的旋律酣畅淋漓，紧紧缠绕在心头。Apocalyptica的音乐的一大特色便是既有魄力又不乏柔美，紧握住心脏不能逃离。

From classical cover band devoted exclusively to performing Metallica's symphony-friendly epics to all purpose string ensemble interpreters of other heavy metal bands' music for the cello, to composers of original material fit to mingle with even more metallic translations, Finland's Apocalyptica had come a long way in the span of their first three albums. And, naturally, there were bound to be further innovations lined up for the band's fourth opus, Reflections, which arrived in 2003 bearing not a single heavy metal cover, and introducing several unexpected innovations into Apocalyptica's m.o., to boot. Chief among these was the addition of a drummer behind the group (recently paired down from quartet to trio), and since Apocalyptica's virtuosos would hardly stand for anything short of brilliance for such an assignment, that percussionist wound up being none other than Slayer legend Dave Lombardo, on whose Grip Inc. albums, group leader Eicca Toppinen had conveniently performed as well. One of those rare rock drummers whose sound and style is instantly recognizable, Lombardo was more than up to the task, providing the necessary flailing-limbs thrust behind dramatically driving originals like "Prologue (Apprehension)," "Somewhere Around Nothing," and "Resurrection" (which sounds like it should have originated as a metal song, but didn't). Apocalyptica also does without him on several compositions, of course, but they keep the experimentation coming by adding a pianist for the exquisite ballad "Far Away," discreet synth effects for the multi-faceted "Cohkka," full-on drum machines for "Heat," and a Spanish horn section for "Toreador II" — Ole! And for those fans who simply want to hear them shred, there's plenty of that throughout this set, with the suitably named "Pandemonium" offering an especially blinding display. All in all, Apocalyptica's first foray into all-original material is nothing short of triumphant, and an eye opener for rock music fans who simply came along because of the Metallica connection. Recommended. [Universal Music later released a Revised edition of Reflections including Apocalyptica's musical liaison with German punk rock diva Nina Hagen for a cover of Rammstein's "Seeman," among other non-CD tracks.]