Finnish cello-rockers APOCALYPTICA will support METALLICA on July 15 at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Also scheduled to appear are fellow Finns H.I.M.

APOCALYPTICA is a Finnish band consisting of three (formerly four) classically trained cellists and, since 2003, a drummer. Their speciality is metal music played on cellos (cello rock), though they also play classical music. They are all graduates of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

APOCALYPTICA's first album, 1996's "Plays Metallica by Four Cellos", consisted solely of METALLICA covers.

APOCALYPTICA released its double-DVD set, "The Life Burns Tour", in the U.S. on February 6.

SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo took part in a recording session with APOCALYPTICA last fall (photo) during SLAYER's "Unholy Alliance" tour stop in Helsinki, Finland. The track is expected to appear on APOCALYPTICA's next album, tentatively due later in the year.

Lombardo's appearance on the new APOCALYPTICA CD will mark the third time he has played on an APOCALYPTICA album, having previously performed on 2003's "Reflections" and then again on 2005's "Apocalyptica".

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