Apocalyptica Enlist Geezer Butler + Franky Perez for Diane Warren-Penned Single ‘I’ll Get Through It’
Ahead of their upcoming touring, Apocalyptica have called upon a few friends for their new single. Legendary Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and frequent vocal collaborator Franky Perez turn up on "I'll Get Through It," a powerful new song written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren.
The collaboration started with Butler and Perez, who had already worked together previously in Deadland Ritual. "Franky and I were visiting my friend, Diane Warren, at her studio," says Butler. "She played us this song, saying that she thought it would work well with Franky's voice. He gave it a try on the spot. We loved it. Franky then suggested sending it to Apocalyptica. They loved it, and the rest is history."
The synergy between all parties has a history. Though the cello-centric Apocalyptica have featured multiple guests vocalists over the years, Perez actually fronted the band for their full 2015 album Shadowmaker. Though he was absent from their most recent album, Perez will be handling vocal duties for the group again this year on their upcoming touring.
Warren, meanwhile, has also collaborated with Apocalyptica in the past. Her song "Not Strong Enough" was featured on the band's 2010 7th Symphony album, initially with Shinedown's Brent Smith on vocals and later recorded again with Hoobastank's Doug Robb after the band ran into clearance issues with Atlantic Records.
Perez says of the new track, "I knew this song was special from the moment Diane Warren played it for Geezer and me. So much so, that I framed the lyrics from the session the very next day. They have been hanging on my wall ever since. This song speaks to me lyrically which made for an honest performance. Musically, there is no better collaboration than Geezer and Apocalyptica to do the song the justice it deserves. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it."
As for Perez's return to Apocalyptica, the band's Perttu Kivilaakso explains, "We are more than thrilled working with our great and talented friend Franky Perez again! It's been a while since our previous collaborations in Shadowmaker album and tour, and we are also highly awaiting for getting back on road with him this April all across the States!"
He also adds of the song and collaboration, "'I'll Get Through It' is a meaningful and beautiful song by an incredible songwriter Diane Warren, with whom we've also had the pleasure of working with before. We can't wait for you to hear the final result… falling in love again with Franky's sensual performance, Geezer's earthshakingly powerful bass, and our wistfully haunting cellos, among the inevitable presence of all the rhythms and groove! We hope you'll enjoy the track as much as we do! Gonna be a blast performing it also live!"
"This is an anthem to getting through, one that we know will be a blast to play on our upcoming U.S. tour with Franky on vocals," the band offered in a statement announcing the song on Facebook, while also revealing a video will soon follow. You can pick up the track here.
As stated, Apocalyptica will return to the road with Perez in tow starting next month. The tour gets underway April 7 in Atlanta, wrapping just shy of a month later on May 5 in Toronto. The group will then follow with a European tour this summer. See all of their schedule and get ticketing info via their website.