Plays Metallica by Four Cellos
{{Infobox album
| name = Plays Metallica by Four Cellos
| type = studio
| artist = Apocalyptica
| cover = Playsmetallicabyfourcellos.jpg
| alt =
| released = June 13, 1996
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Classical, chamber music, cello rock, symphonic metal
| length = 44:31
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Inquisition Symphony
| next_year = 1998
}}
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = Allmusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r260294|pure_url=yes}}
}}
Plays Metallica by Four Cellos is the debut album by Finnish metal band Apocalyptica, released in 1996. It features eight instrumental Metallica covers arranged and played on cellos.
The band was invited to record this album by a label employee after a 1995 show in which they performed some of the songs. The members were initially unsure and thought nobody would listen to such a record, but the employee insisted and they recorded it.{{cite web|last1=Schizodeluxe|first1=Andrew|title=Apocalyptica talks to The Rockpit|url=http://www.therockpit.net/2014/Apocalyptica%20Eicca%20Toppinen%20%E2%80%93%20Interview.php|website=The Rockpit|accessdate=20 April 2015|date=14 January 2015}} On 22 July 2016, a remastered version of the album was released with new bonus tracks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Plays-Metallica-Four-Cellos-Remastered/dp/B01EZNULOC|title=Plays Metallica by Four Cellos|website=Amazon |year=2016 }} In 2017 to 2019, the band returned as a cello quartet for the first time since 2009 to perform all of the Metallica tracks they have covered at the time to celebrate their 20th anniversary of the debut album and in late 2018, a live recording of the tour was released in CD, vinyl, and a DVD with live footage entitled Plays Metallica by Four Cellos - A Live Performance. A follow-up album entitled Plays Metallica, Vol. 2, was released on June 7, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Plays Metallica Vol. 2 - BLUE 2-Vinyl |url=https://napalmrecords.com/english/apocalyptica-plays-metallica-vol-2-blue-vinyl.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=napalmrecords.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Traverspublished |first=Paul |date=2024-06-04 |title="They've gone beyond novelty value to become their own unique entity." Apocalyptica have made another stirring album of orchestral Metallica covers - and they've even made St Anger sound epic |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/apocalyptica-plays-metallica-vol-2 |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=louder |language=en}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Original 1996 Release
|extra_column = Original Metallica album
| title1 = Enter Sandman
| writer1 = Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield
| extra1 = from Metallica
| length1 = 3:41
| title2 = Master of Puppets
| writer2 = Cliff Burton, Hammett, Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra2 = from Master of Puppets
| length2 = 7:17
| title3 = Harvester of Sorrow
| writer3 = Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra3 = from ...And Justice for All
| length3 = 6:15
| title4 = The Unforgiven
| writer4 = Hammett, Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra4 = from Metallica
| length4 = 5:23
| title5 = Sad but True
| writer5 = Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra5 = from Metallica
| length5 = 4:48
| title6 = Creeping Death
| writer6 = Burton, Hammett, Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra6 = from Ride the Lightning
| length6 = 5:08
| title7 = Wherever I May Roam
| writer7 = Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra7 = from Metallica
| length7 = 6:09
| title8 = Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
| writer8 = Hammett, Ulrich, Hetfield
| extra8 = from Master of Puppets
| length8 = 5:50
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2016 Remastered bonus tracks
| all_writing = Ulrich, Hetfield
|extra_column = Original Metallica album
| title9 = Battery
| writer9 =
| extra9 = from Master of Puppets
| length9 = 4:32
| title10 = Nothing Else Matters |note10=2016 Version
| writer10 =
| extra10 = from Metallica
| length10 = 4:49
| title11 = Seek and Destroy
| writer11 =
| extra11 = from Kill 'Em All
| length11 = 4:24
}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Plays Metallica by Four Cellos}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1996|relmonth=06|region=Finland|award=Platinum|certyear=1998|salesamount=23,303|domestic=true|artist=Apocalyptica|accessdate=8 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1996|relmonth=06|region=Germany|award=Gold|certyear=2005|artist=Apocalyptica|title=Apocalyptica Plays Metallica|accessdate=8 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1996|relmonth=06|region=Poland|award=Gold|certyear=2000|artist=Apocalyptice|title=Plays Metallica|accessdate=8 January 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}