The Finnish “cello metal” group Apocalyptica  has actually been around for quite a while. But with a hot new album and a world tour underway — including some possible U.S. spring dates — the band is currently enjoying a lot of attention.

Formed as a cello quartet in 1993, Apocalyptica got its start with wildly inventive string covers of Metallica songs. But within a few years, the group began performing their own compositions, combining classical training and instrumentation with heavy metal style.

Their current release, Worlds Collide, features guest vocal performances by Till Lindemann of Rammstein and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor. But we’re going back to 2000’s Cult for a taste of the band’s most popular songs and videos, Path. If this is your first glimpse Apocalyptica, you may never look at cellists quite the same way again.

Link: Apocalyptica Official Site