Apoptygma Berzerk

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 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.

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. 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 same album with its magnificent cover version of The Velvet Underground's "All Tomorrows Parties". This tradition continues today, with Apoptygma Berzerk continuing to pay tribute to their original idols with very special, very personal covers. 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 Wilde's Cambodia and Shine On from The House Of Love. But the pre-release single, In This Together, already demonstrated that these Norwegians haven"t 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 Berzerk's overall sound, this time it is the Indie-Rock influences from the early 90's 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 he's 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. The most direct line to the golden wave-era of the 4AD label, with acts like the Pixies, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil and the Cocteau Twins, is established in the charming number, Back On Track. This song, Stephan's particularly Norwegian homage to his early 4AD heroes, additionally features vocals by Anneli Drecker of Bel Canto in the chorus.

Even if the new Apoptygma-Berzerk album needs a second or third listen for some long-time fans don't worry, the electronic elements are still on hand in generous supply. But this time they're supplemented by tough guitars, predominantly live drums and layered on top by Stephan's great vocals. It's 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 we're doing what? Good question! In the general smorgasbord of changing trends and stylistic ins and outs, these Norwegians have constantly created their own cosmos of sound, only to redefine it again on their next album. But guitars have been an integral part of the band's 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 How Long. The album' message screams out unmistakably from every number: Together we can beat the world! For Apoptygma Berzerk it's no problem