Apocalyptica and The HU joined forces and gave the audience at The College Street Theater an unforgettable amped up performance on May 14, 2026. Both bands take string instruments to new heights by taking classical instruments mostly thought of being used in chamber music and hillside folk artistry and turning them into electrically charged sound that is more thought of as heavy metal music.
Apocalyptica performed Metallica II, their rendition of Metallica songs done over in a niche they have carved out in the heavy metal world. Apocalyptica is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Helsinki, formed in 1993. The band is currently composed of three classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso. Joined by Mikko Kaakkuriniemi on drums.
Apocalyptica have released 10 studio albums to date, and as Eicca Toppinen mentioned, you will see something different each time because they play what they want when they want. This tour was Metallica covers with their own spin added since they are using string instruments. Next tour it can and probably will be something completely different in their choice of songs and style. They are not locked into the same set of songs done year after year.
The HU took the stage for their set after Apocalyptica concluded their night and brought the already rocking audience a fantastic performance. They take the centuries-old Morin Khuur (Horse Head Fiddle) and the throat singing that the Mongolian people are famous for and turn it on its head. They turn the classical folk music add electricity and make a sound so unique it has to be heard live to truly get the nuances of the sound.
The HU band consists of Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar founding member and lead throat singer, Nyamjantsan “Jaya” Galsanjamts, Enkhsaikhan “Enkush” Batjargal and Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar. Together they make up one the most unique bands I have seen. They are a stand out band for their ability to take a folk sound usually heard in the mountains and valleys in Mongolia and centuries old and tweak out a version that has developed a large following worldwide. Throat singing is an unusual way of singing where the singer is producing two notes at the same time. Some sing in the high range and others in the low. Gala’s style is the low range which sounds very gutteral and tribal.
The HU has quite a following, and this night was no different. There were people standing and cheering as soon as they took the stage. I spoke with a few of people in the audience and all said they had seen them numerous times. One woman said this was the twelfth time her and her husband have seen them. It was a metal rock night for sure, and the crowd who had been standing and headbanging for the first two acts continued non-stop through The HU. The only time I saw them slow down was as the band was playing Mother Nature a more serene and esoteric song. They performed it beautifully.
The Rasmus opened the night for the two bands and warmed the audience up with their Finnish metal rock. They did a solid half hour show and the audience was completely ready for what was to come.
If you haven’t seen Apocalypitca or The HU you are missing out on a night of metal that is both unusual and addicting. They have found a way to put a completely new spin on a centuries-old method of making music. They are definitely worth seeing. Whether it is alone or together as they performed this night, both bands put on a concert worth taking in at least once if not more.
For more information about the band and upcoming tour dates see Apocalyptica
For more information about the band and upcoming concerts, see The HU
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Setlist: Apocalyptica
Battery
Enter Sandman
Creeping Death
For Whom the Bell Tolls
The Call of Ktulu
Master of Puppets
Nothing Else Matters
Seek & Destroy
Setlist: The HU
Intro
Lost Soul
Horse Men
Khukhuchu Zairan
Upright Destined Mongol
The Men
Real You
Warrior Chant
Mother Nature
Shadow
Grey Hun
Black Thunder
Yuve Yuve Yu
Wolf Totem
This Is Mongol
Encore:
The Trooper
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