Cello rock

Cello rock is a genre of music characterized by the use of cellos and other stringed instruments such as violin and viola to create a sound, beat, and texture similar to that of rock music. The cellos and other stringed instruments are often electronically amplified and/or electronically modified. They are often combined with other elements typical of rock music such as rock-style vocals and rock-style drumming.

Cello rock has been developing slowly over the years, with its direct influences dating as far back as the 1930s in Russia and Germany. The popularity of Cello rock is steadily on the rise, as artists such as Metallica and Marilyn Manson lend support to the fledgling groups, though the genre still lies mostly in the dark in the United States music scene, Apocalyptica has caused a veritable musical revolution on the European continent.

Pioneered by the Finnish quartet (now trio) Apocalyptica and their Metallica and other metal band covers, cello rock now has record labels devoted solely to the production of music in that genre, such as Vitamin Records. Apocalyptica is still the only mainstream group that produces its own original music, with the less known band named Rasputina in America being an increasingly popular group with their support from Marilyn Manson. The rest of the groups, largely employed by Vitamin Records produce various rock tributes, essentially string quartet covers of various bands.