There are some episode ideas that immediately sound brilliant. And then there are the ideas that make your co-host stare into the void questioning every life decision that led them to this moment.
This week on the Influencers of Metal Podcast, Tom drags Collin kicking and screaming into one of the strangest “Heaviest Songs” debates the show has tackled yet: ranking the heaviest songs by Apocalyptica.
Yes. The cello band.
What begins as Collin openly despising the concept slowly turns into one of the biggest surprise episodes in the history of the series. As the guys dig through Apocalyptica’s discography, they uncover a shocking amount of genuinely crushing material — from the Dave Lombardo-assisted chaos of “2010” and “Prologue Apprehension” to the dark grooves of “Fatal Error,” the thunderous weight of “Fisheye,” and the absolutely monstrous collaboration with Joe Duplantier on “Bring Them to Light.”
The episode dives into why distorted cellos actually work in metal, the evolution of Apocalyptica from Metallica cover band to full-blown symphonic metal force, how drums completely transformed their sound, and how Tom somehow managed to turn this into a legitimate metal debate instead of a complete meme episode
Of course, this is still the Influencers of Metal Podcast, so the conversation also spirals into more shenanigans.
By the end, even the skeptic himself starts warming up to the idea that Apocalyptica may genuinely deserve a place in heavier conversations.
Hit play to find out how quickly Tom was able to convert Collin into a believer, and maybe you too?
DISCLAIMER: Copyright Exceptions under the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), allowance is made for "fair dealing" for the purposes of criticism or review.
Check out more from the Influencers of Metal Podcast!
Sabaton has turned centuries of military history into power metal anthems, but is their obsession with war history a genius musical identity or just an elaborate gimmick?
Alice in Chains helped bring a darker, heavier sound to grunge, but does that make them metal?
Lindsay Schoolcraft returns to the Influencers of Metal Podcast for a Halloween edition of What Have You Been Listening To?
From Jared Dines and Stevie T to underground creators and friends of the show, Collin and Tom celebrate the metal YouTubers, streamers and internet personalities making a difference in the community.
Collin and Tom welcome progressive musician Tom de Wit (TDW) to explore the best of progressive metal!
Sabaton brought tanks, pyro and 18 songs of Swedish power metal to Toronto — but getting through the parking chaos, opening bands and merch prices was a battle of its own.
Collin and Tom dive into their favourite September listens, revisit one massive release that narrowly missed August, and more!
Collin finally saw HammerFall headline Toronto — and somehow walked away loving them even more.
HammerFall and Sabaton are invading the GTA in the same week, so Collin and Tom are building their dream setlists!
Collin and Tom summon a whale and dive into Gojira’s discography to settle one of the toughest Heaviest Songs rankings yet.
Powerwolf has werewolves, vampires, church organs and enough Catholic imagery to make one hell of a Sunday service — but does the gimmick overshadow the music?
Some bands spend decades chasing their masterpiece. Others release it almost immediately, and never top it.
Metal meets the squared circle again as Collin introduces an extremely underprepared Tom to wrestling themes from Killswitch Engage, Fozzy, Code Orange, Megadeth, White Zombie, Metallica and more.
Protest the Hero are masters of technical chaos, but which of their songs are actually the heaviest?