Genres: cello metal, instrumental metal, symphonic metal, neo-classical metal, post grunge (three songs), hard rock, death metal (one song)
Apocalpytica is extremely unique and a must listen for all metal fans. I own this and Worlds Collide, so I haven't been listening to Apocalpytica for very long. I'm really confused why other bands don't incorporate cellos. It's a naturally heavy instrument.
7th Symphony has an excellent blend of songs. There's some really heavy tracks, some lighter ones, some epic productions, and some ballads.
Songs:
At the Gate of Manala: A completely epic opening. I listen to this song to get me in the mood to do epic things, except I don't really do anything epic.
End of Me: It's a decent song featuring Rossdale of Bush. I don't listen to Bush, but I like Apocalyptica's guest vocal songs to break up the instrumentals.
Not Strong Enough: This song just ruins so much for me. I cannot stand Shinedown nor Smith's wanna be grunge voice that's been in style since Creed. Plus, the music is structured like a generic contemporary rock song. As it turns out, this song wasn't written by the band, so I'm glad they're not completely responsible for this blemish. I know many people like Shinedown, but they make me want to vomit.
2010: A standard Apocalypitca song.
Through Paris in a Sportscar: This is one of the more unique tracks, but it's only available on the special edition.
Beautiful: A slow, relaxing break.
Broken Pieces: I'm glad there's a female guest vocal, although lyrically this seems really similar to Scabbia's appearance on World's Collide.
On the Rooftop with Quasimodo: An interesting instrumental. Yeah, it's a generic comment, but that's all I have to say about it.
Bring Them to Light: An extremely heavy song with death metal vocals. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but I'm glad to see Apocalytpica make one.
Sacra: A slower song that helps set up the finale.
Rage of Poseidon: The mirror to the opening track; this song is even more epic.
Shadow of Venus: Normally, putting a bonus track after a song designed to be the end messes the album's conclusion up. But this song follows Poseidon very well. I'm not sure why it ends with several minutes of silence. I never understood songs that do that.
Every heavy metal fan should at least try out Apocalyptica and this is an excellent album to start with. Hard rock people and appreciators of technical music should also try this out. Considering that 3/4 of the guest singers are from hard rock bands, it appears Apocalyptica is trying to expand their audience.
I think 7th Symphony exceeded Worlds Collide, and I'm hoping their next album raises the bar even higher.