Apoptygma Berzerk

Formed in 1991 by Stephan Groth, Norwegian Apoptygma Berzerk has always been a band of transformations and contradictions. Originally labeled as an Electronic Body Music (EBM) / futurepop band and placed among similar acts VNV Nation, Mesh, Covenant and Icon Of Coil, Apoptygma Berzerk (APB or Apop for fans) managed to create beautiful, empathetic, danceable electro music, setting genre standards with the albums "Soli Deo Gloria" (1993), "7" (1996), the independent hit album "Welcome To Earth" (2000) and "Harmonizer" (2002). They have continually been consistent and innovative in their treatment of the integral elements of Electronic Body Music, Industrial Music and the Techno movement, in order to constantly create a new, unique mixture that is refreshingly different in accordance with their changing focus on the broadest variety of influences.

However, the "electro" label has never told the full story, as was evident early on. Already on their debut album, "Soli Deo Gloria", which featured "Bitch" and "Burnin’ Heretic" as two respectable genre club hits, Apoptygma Berzerk held the listener captive with samples that often swerved from the path of essential influences like Kraftwerk, Front 242, Skinny Puppy, OMD or Psyche. This is emphasized in the number "Skyscraping", containing samples from decidedly non-electro acts such as Alice In Chains, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth and Ride.

This conspicuous collection of guitar bands was never just an exercise in indulgence, and this is nowhere more evident from Stephan Groth & Co. than on the 2005 album "You And Me Against The World". While Apoptygma Berzerk have always changed the sound, look and vocal style for each album, that one definitely represented the most dramatic stylistic transformation, marking a shift from the gloomy, yet danceable gothic synthpop to an unaccustomed Indie-Rock feeling. At the end of the day, Stephan had said and done pretty much everything there was to say and do in the purely electronic sector, so this change seemed only natural, a change that continues in Apop's latest offering, "Rocket Science".

The new album (out next week) is spearheaded by the single "Apollo (Live On Your TV)", featuring guest vocals from Good Charlotte's Benji Madden. "Rocket Science" picks up where "You And Me Against The World" left off, retaining the rockier attitude whilst taking one step back towards a more electronic sound, thus leaving both new and longstanding fans satisfied. This time Apop are influenced by bands like The Jesus And Mary Chain ("Butterfly Defect", "Right"), while I can spot some Queens Of The Stone Age and UNKLE elements in stand-out tracks "Incompatible" and "Green Queen". Last but not least, Apop remain loyal to their tradition of revamping classic tracks (Cambodia anyone?) with a wicked rendition of Suede's "Trash" that will undoubtedly rock your house down!

So if you are eager to listen to the album in advance, visit http://www.mtv.de/ for an advance listening session or http://www.youtube.com/apoptygmaberzerkband to watch the new video. And of course watch them live!

http://www.myspace.com/apoptygmaberzerk
http://www.apoptygmaberzerk.de

Apoptygma Berzerk - Incompatible
Apoptygma Berzerk - Non Stop Violence (CNN Version)
Apoptygma Berzerk - A Strange Day (The Cure cover)

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