Formed in 1991 by Stephan Groth, Apoptygma Berzerk has always been a band of transformations and contradictions. And the recently completed label jump from Warner, who released their 2002 Harmonizer album, to GUN is apparently no reason to change this situation. These Norwegians with the tongue-twisting name have always been dependable for timelessly beautiful, empathetic, danceable electro music, setting genre standards with their albums, Soli Deo Gloria (1993), 7 (1996), the independent hit album Welcome To Earth (2000) and their last masterpiece, Harmonizer. They have continually been consistent and innovative in their treatment of the integral elements of EBM, 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. 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, Psyche or The Young Gods.
Their discography is appropriately littered, often unfortunately only as single B-sides, with gems from The Cure (Strange Day), Metallica (Fade To Black and Nothing Else Matters), OMD (Electricity) and Kraftwerk (Ohm Sweet Ohm). And this tradition continues for Apoptygma Berzerk on their new album, You And Me Against The World, this time featuring Kim Wildes Cambodia and Shine On from The House Of Love. But the pre-release single, In This Together, already demonstrated that these Norwegians havent just been sitting idly for the long pause since the release of the electro-poppy Harmonizer album and its hits Suffer In Silence, Unicorn and Until The End Of The World.
On the contrary, You And Me Against The World emanates an unaccustomed Indie-Rock feeling, lending the penetrating, hooky quality of these refined compositions a welcome raw ambient. While in the past, it has been primarily the electronic roots that distinguished Apoptygma Berzerks overall sound, this time it is the Indie-Rock influences from the early 90s that set the stage. All in all, Stephan had said and done pretty much everything there was to say and do in the purely electronic sector. And accordingly hes happy to have original guitarist Anders Odden back in the line-up. While Apoptygma Berzerk have always changed the sound, look and vocal style for each album, the new album definitely represents the most dramatic stylistic transformation.
Even if the new Apoptygma-Berzerk album needs a second or third listen for some long-time fans - dont worry, the electronic elements are still on hand in generous supply. But this time theyre supplemented by tough guitars, predominantly live drums and layered on top by Stephans great vocals. Its still electronic! Only now there are also massive guitars, as Stephan explains the connection between the past and present. Apoptygma Berzerk have always done completely different things. We started as an Industrial/EBM band, then moved in a Techno-Dance-Future-Pop direction. We developed from an underground electronic band to a pop electronic band, and now were doing what?
Good question! In the general changing of trends and stylistic ins and outs, these Norwegians have constantly created their own Style of sound, only to redefine it again on their next album. But guitars have been an integral part of the bands live presentation for years. And with You And Me Against The World, Apoptygma Berzerk have above all now transferred their irrepressible live energy into the studio for the first time. Their refreshing confidence is present not only in the single, In This Together, but also in the development of their hymnal qualities in the contemplative Love To Blame or the pensive longing of into the unknown. The albums message screams out unmistakably from every number: Together we can beat the world! For Apoptygma Berzerk its no problem
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