Headbangers Ball

We must confess that we're not the biggest metalhead around. But, oh, how we wish we’d known of the Finnish all-cello band Apocalyptica when we were young (the classically trained foursome channels the sonic heft of Metallica). We would have played in the local youth orchestra. Then, perhaps, we could've caught the eye of the gorgeous cellist to our left by showing him how to play standing up, possibly while headbanging and wearing fingerless gloves. Swoon.

In 1996, Apocalyptica cello-shredded its way to fame with the release of its debut album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos. Since then, the group has added songwriting skills -- and incredible popularity in Turkey! -- to its résumé. Apocalyptica’s sixth and latest album, Worlds Collide, has the band eschewing covers in favor of original compositions, a drummer, and guest vocal spots by nu-metal brights such as Corey Taylor of Slipknot.