Heavy metal band Apocalyptica announced their "Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2 Tour" across the United States will include a stop in Phoenix in 2025.

With tour support from guitar virtuoso Nita Strauss, the band will perform at The Van Buren on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Formed in 1993 in Helsinki, Finland, Apocalyptica began as a lo-fi nod to Metallica from four classically trained musicians. Their debut album, “Plays Metallica By Four Cellos,” was released in 1996.

"We just loved Metallica and we wanted to play it with the instruments we were able to play, which just happened to be cellos,” founding band leader Eicca Toppinen shared in a press release. “We played a metal club in Helsinki, and then we were asked to do an album. Five months after it was released, we were opening for Metallica. It’s still unbelievable to me."

Apocalyptica has released eight records, sold six million albums, and toured extensively. They continue their unique homage to Metallica with “Plays Metallica, Vol. 2,” featuring collaborations with Metallica members and using original tracks from the legendary Cliff Burton.

The new album came out June 7.

General ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14 at https://www.apocalyptica.com/.