A cold and snowy Thursday night in Toronto brought a Heavy Metal show for the ages. Fans made their way into the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Theatre for a night of loud guitars and a unique take on the intense music genre, marking the first show in Toronto of Apocalyptica in almost three years. Tonight, they were joined by the awesome Nita Strauss.
Apocalyptica – Nita Strauss
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto – 13 February 2025
Words And Photography: Taylor Cameron
Nita Strauss
Nita Strauss took the stage like a hurricane. Her energy is undeniable, commanding the stage with ease. Heavy but melodic, Strauss’ playing is electric and enthralling.
Playing each note with passion and precision, Strauss demonstrates why she is one of the best in the game. Joining her onstage to help bring her songs to life were guitarist Johnny Young, Keyboardist Katt Scarlett and drummer Josh Villalta.
Although captivating the crowd on her own, her band added elements to the set that made it incredibly memorable. Young’s playing added a layer of depth to the guitar sound, pairing perfectly with Strauss’ speed and technical style.
Johnny Young’s fierce spirit was undeniable as he pumped up the crowd with an iron fist. Scarlett adds atmospheric energy to the Heavy Metal set, the melodic notions of the keyboard pairing perfectly with Strauss’ heavily melodic influenced guitar playing style.
Last but not least, the backbone of the band, Josh Villalta, kept the band in time with his rhythmic playing while also adding an intense groove to the heavier tracks that graced the set.
After entertaining the crowd with a selection of instrumental tracks from both of Strauss’ studio albums, Controlled Chaos and The Call Of The Void, Deadlands vocalist Kasey Karlsen was welcomed to the stage to deliver raw and powerful vocals.
Victorious, Digital Bullets, Dead Inside and The Wolf You Feed closed out the set, Karlsen hitting the stage like a firecracker. “Toronto, this is a rock show. Stand the fuck up,” Karlsen demands, wanting the crowd to fully immerse themselves in the music. From gruff growls to melodic vocals, Karlsen’s vocal range encapsulated each song perfectly.
It was no surprise that Strauss and her band pumped up the crowd with ease, delivering an unforgettable performance. Always giving 110%, a Nita Strauss show is one you never want to miss.
Apocalyptica
Following suit were Finnish Symphonic Metal band, Apocalyptica. Composed of three classically trained cellists, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso, Apocalyptica deliver a unique Heavy Metal experience. Playing tracks from Metallica’s extensive catalogue on instruments typically used for classical and jazz, the trio of talented musicians bring new light to these classics.
With each strike of their bow and pluck of a string, this is the type of performance you feel in your soul. Playing with both passion and aggression, Apocalyptica have created a sound that is both beautiful and intense.
This is a combination that will give you goosebumps but is also worthy of headbanging.
From Ride The Lightning, For Whom The Bell Tolls and Master Of Puppets to Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters and One, the cellists’ twist on some of Metallica’s biggest hits is extremely unique while remaining intriguing and entertaining.
The musician’s passion for the music is undeniable, their love for not only Metallica but the Metal genre itself shining through in their exquisite performance.
A purely cinematic sound, Apocalyptica do more than just cover these songs. They make them their own, reshaping them into something grand while remaining respectful to each note these tracks are composed of. The sound of the cellos laced with distortion allows the trio to keep the raw and heaviness of the Heavy Metal anthems that shook the world when released. It is truly an experience worthy of attending.
This was an exceptional night of Heavy Metal in downtown Toronto. Both bands delivered high-intensity performances that had the audience’s attention gripped from start to finish.
From Strauss’ modern take on instrumental guitar work to Apocalyptica’s unique take on beloved Heavy Metal classics, it was truly a show that will be remembered for years to come.
