Apocalyptica’s new Metallica cover, ‘One,’ will feature James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo. The band recently annoucned the track’s release as May 17 on Instagram.
The cover will be released as part of Apocalyptica’s upcoming ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’ album:
“We have something very special for you! We’ve been hiding a very big secret for months now. As you hopefully know already, the new ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’ album is coming out soon, June 7th. Now, it is time to reveal some of the cool things that we´ve been holding back!”
The full record will be released through Throwdown Entertainment and continue 1996’s ‘Plays Metallica By Four Cellos.’ There will be an instrumental version of ‘One’ in addition to the band’s collaboration with Hetfield and Trujillo. Apocalyptica said of the song:
“The third single is about to be released May 17th. And yes, it will be a new version of ‘One’…featuring the master himself, James Hetfield! Yes, you read it correctly. Apocalyptica feat. James Hetfield and also Rob Trujillo! For us, this is truly amazing, incredible and most importantly such an honor! So better wait for it and pre-save the single right away, because we are 100% sure it’s going to blow your mind!”
There’s Another Collaboration With The Metallica Bassist In The Album
The lead single from ‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’ arrived in February 2024. The track titled ‘The Four Horsemen’ also featured a guest appearance from Robert Trujillo.
Lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso told the DJ Force X Podcast about Trujillo’s involvement:
“This album concept has, in a way, been in our minds for throughout the whole career. We always knew that there are still a lot of cool [Metallica] songs that we wanted play our style one day. So, but now after the pandemic and everything, this felt the exact right moment to dive back to the roots.”
His words went on:
“We have always had a wonderful relation with Metallica — they have been enormously supportive towards us always — but still we approached them to ask that would they agree, would it be fine for them if we make such an album. And through those conversations, actually, eventually Rob even offered that he could play something for us. And that’s an enormous, amazing feature, of course, to be treated like that. And it really, really shows respect also from their side. And we are very, very thankful for it.”
‘Plays Metallica Vol. 2’ will be Apocalyptica’s final studio record with longtime drummer Mikko Sirén. The band will take it on a European tour in Fall 2024.