The Finnish masters of the cello Apocalyptica released their new album Worlds Collide on Friday the 14th in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It was released today (September 17th) in most of the rest of the world, with a few other countries later in the month. The album features a wide range of guest musicians including Till Lindemann from Rammstein, Corey Taylor from Slipknot and Stone Sour, Dave Lombardo from Slayer, Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil, Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace, and the Japanese actor and musician Tomoyasu Hotei. The album was also produced by Jacob Hellner, best known for his work with Rammstein and Clawfinger.

Apocalyptica and Rammstein have a long history working together, and Worlds Collide marks yet another notable collaboration. For the new album, Till sings a German-language cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” or “Helden” in German. I haven’t heard this particular song yet (although I am looking forward to it), but I do like the other songs I’ve heard from the album. The single “I’m Not Jesus” which features Corey Taylor singing is a great song. And as always, Apocalyptica uses their cellos as an amazing substitute for low-tuned electric guitars. Sometimes I wonder if the cellos are better…

Check out some of the new Apocalyptica songs on their MySpace page.

Worlds Collide tracklist
01. Worlds Collide
02. Grace (feat. Tomoyasu Hotei)
03. I’m Not Jesus (feat. Corey Taylor)
04. Ion
05. Helden (feat. Till Lindemann)
06. Stroke
07. Last Hope (feat. Dave Lombardo)
08. I Don’t Care (feat. Adam Gontier)
09. Burn
10. S.O.S. (Anything But Love) (feat. Cristina Scabbia)
11. Peace
Bonus tracks on the deluxe edition
12. Ural
13. Dreamer

While Qntal is certainly no new band to me, I just recently discovered their current album Silver Swan. It was released just over a year ago and I think it’s fantastic. The band’s merger of classical, electronic, and medieval music make for some beautiful sounds. The album is available in 2 versions: a standard CD version, and a limited edition with a bonus disc including several remixes, a bonus track called “Rot”, and an exclusive art gallery by the fantasy illustrator Brian Froud.

You can hear one of Qntal’s older songs, “Ecce Gratum”, on the current Radio Goethe podcast, or check out their Myspace page for a few from Silver Swan. You can also watch their unique video for “Von den Elben” via their website.

Silver Swan was released in the US by Noir Records, a branch of Dancing Ferret. You can order the album (and listen to additional samples) through their site Isotank.com here, or find the limited edition with a bonus disc here.

Silver Swan
01. Monsieur’s Departure
02. Amis Raynaut
03. Levis
04. Von den Elben
05. Lingua Mendax
06. Falling Star
07. The Whyle
08. Winter
09. Altas Undaz
10. 292
11. Silver Swan

Bonus CD
01. Von Den Elben (single edit)
02. Levis (Half Light mix)
03. 292 (A Darker Shape mix)
04. Veni (Filthy Floor Mix)
05. Rot
06. Von Den Elben (Brian Froud music video)
07. Brian Froud multimedia gallery