When is a band a
complete sellout? Are we, the fans, really ones to judge? Well, I guess so,
considering we are the ones who buy the albums, listen to the music, and go
to the shows. But, who are we to put a great band down, just because
they have changed their sound to something a little more listenable, a
little more radio friendly, or case in fact, something that will sell more
and make a talented band more money.
So here we have it, the legendary Apoptygma
Berzerk, taking their sound to an entirely different level. The band that
originated as a new face to the electro goth explosion, has done a full 180.
When they originated, they were harsh, brash, and new. They began changing
to me almost immediately. When I saw them in 2000 at their show with VNV
Nation at The Masquerade in Ybor City, F.L. They were completely unexpected.
I had been listening to them for a while then, and was expecting a dark rush
of harsh industrial, and only got a five piece electronic band, that could
have been accomplished by a single person. Very minimal, very much boring,
and completely not worth the $20 I spent to get in (also considering I was
hit on by tranny goth giants, who scared the shit out of me)
Now 6 years later, after pretty much ignoring them, they release this new
album. You know, I was not at all sure what to expect. Would they go back to
their sinister industrial ways, or would it just be an electronic barrage of
nonsense? This is neither. This album surprised the shit out of me. It is
absolutely nothing like any of their previous releases. Although they slayed
with their original sound, thenn pretty much drowned there after, this
release is a complete breath of fresh air. They are now basically an
electronic rock band. Yeah, to diehard fans, that will not sound good at
all. But take me seriously when I say this is an excellent album. They have
a real song structure now, with understandable lyrics, catchy choruses, and
great melodies. This not completely unlike HIM, and would have to say that
is not a bad thing whatsoever. I feel that what APB are doing what HIM
should have been doing after releasing their first c.d. Every song on here
is excellent, wonderful romantic lyrics coming from an excellent vocalist,
simplistic but understandable guitars, beautiful electronic/synth melodies,
and moderate drumming. This is an album that ANYBODY can get into, no matter
what your taste in music is. I most definitely recommend this album to
anyone out there, music fanatic, or soccer mom. this is a great album.
There are going to be a million complaints about this album, understood, but
do not throw this band away yet, not before actually listening to this
album. It is wonderfully amazing, and deserves the attention of many. I
recommend picking this disc up today, whomever you might be.
Sam Nastasuk
