Eicca

Eicca Toppinen, commonly known as Eicca, is a Finnish musician and composer best known as a founding member of Apocalyptica, a band notable for performing metal and heavy music on cellos. The group formed in Helsinki in the early 1990s and initially gained fame with instrumental arrangements of rock and metal tracks performed on four cellos; their 1996 debut album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, brought international attention to cello-based metal.

As a core member, Eicca contributed as a composer and performer, helping shape the band’s distinctive blend of classical technique and heavy music. Over the following decades, Apocalyptica expanded their repertoire with original compositions and collaborations with artists from metal, rock, and classical genres, releasing several successful albums and touring worldwide.

Eicca’s work with Apocalyptica has been influential in broader musical genres, cited as a key example of genre fusion and the viability of cello-driven music in rock and metal contexts. Beyond Apocalyptica, he has participated in side projects, contributions to scores, and production work. He is regarded as a prominent figure in Finnish contemporary music and the international cello-metal scene. To date, Eicca remains active in music, continuing to perform, compose, and contribute to various projects.