Apocalyptica Maps Out 2025 ‘Plays Metallica’ North American Tour Dates

Finnish symphonic metal outfit Apocalyptica announced 2025 Plays Metallica Tour dates. The trek will see the group going coast-to-coast across North America with their cello tribute to the legendary metal band.

Formed in Helsinki in 1993, Apocalyptica began as “a loving, lo-fi nod to Metallica from four classically trained musicians,” as per a press release. The ensemble released their debut album, Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, in 1996.

“We just loved Metallica and we wanted to play it with the instruments we were able to play, which just happened to be cellos,” Apocalyptica’s Eicca Toppinen stated. “We played a metal club in Helsinki, and then we were asked to do an album. Five months after it was released, we were opening for Metallica. It’s still unbelievable to me.”

Apocalyptica recently released Plays Metallica, Vol. 2 and will tour around the record in early 2025. The North American trek begins on February 6 in Washington D.C. followed by performances in Philadelphia on February 7, Boston on February 8 and New York City on February 11.

Apocalyptica then takes a trip to Canada with concerts in Montreal on February 12 and Toronto on February 13. The Midwest is next with stops in Cincinnati on February 14, Chicago on February 15, Detroit on February 16 and Minneapolis on February 18.

The tour then returns to Canada with shows in Winnipeg on February 19, Saskatoon on February 20, Edmonton on February 21, Calgary on February 22 and Vancouver on February 24.

Seattle is the next stop on February 25. Apocalyptica will then work down the West Coast with performances in Portland on February 26, San Francisco on February 27 and Los Angeles on February 28.

The first March show will be in Phoenix on March 1. Denver follows on March 3 ahead of a Texas stint beginning in Austin on March 5 followed by Dallas on March 6. The tour wraps in Houston on March 8.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m. local time.