Search - Apoptygma Berzerk :: Apopcalyptic Manifesto

Great compilation of older APB work.

cthulhukid | Purgatory | 05/08/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Apoptygma Berzerk has been going strong for ten years, and this album collects some of the harder to get material, at least here in the States. A good half of it comes from the album _Soli Deo Gloria,_ as well as tracks from the _Deep Red,_ _Bitch,_ _Ashes to Ashes,_ and _2nd Manifesto_ releases, as well as two new tracks ("APB Goes C-64" and "Lidelsens Mening"), an alternate mix of "Arp," and a mix of "Burnin' Heretic" previously available only on an old compilation CD. You really get to see the breadth of Groth's work here, from the dreamy goth instrumental "The Approach of Death" to the death metal vocals of "Wrack 'Em to Pieces" to the nasal whine in "Spiritual Reality." I found it quite nice how none of the songs sound the same. "All Tomorrow's Parties" sounded much different from the others... only later did I find out that it is actually a cover of a Velvet Underground song!Compared to other APB CDs, you can tell that this is not an album. APB _albums_ have bizarre experimental tracks and instrumental bridges. _Apopcalyptic Manifesto_ has none of these, and moves straight from song to song. I don't think anyone is going to be upset by this, but by listening to _Manifest,_ one can tell that it is a compilation and not a true APB album. I should also note that this CD sounds nothing like his newest album "Welcome to Earth." The tracks here are much more new-wave and goth influenced, instead of the euro-dance bent found on "Earth." Regardless, this is a very good introduction to APB's older work, and any fan of EBM in general. Very unique music."

The Apopcalyptic Manifesto

Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 05/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big fan of Apoptygma Berzerk. They are one of my personal favorite bands of all time (next to VNV Nation and KMFDM). I haven't been into the band for too long, maybe like a year or two. "Welcome to Earth" was my first Apop album. When I picked up "Welcome to Earth", I had mistaken Apocalyptica for Apoptygma Berzerk. What a happy mistake. I loved what I heard on "Welcome to Earth". The fusion of industrial beats with the sweet melodies of trance music was nothing that I heard of. Over time, I picked up "Harmonizer" and "7". I also started listening to fellow Metropolis mates VNV Nation, Icon of Coil, and Project Pitchfork. Next to VNV Nation, Apoptygma Berzerk is my favorite band on Metropolis records. I recently came upon "Apopcalyptic Manifesto" on one of my excursions to my favorite record store. I came upon a large stash of cds by Clan of Xymox, Project Pitchfork, Convenant, and Apop's "Apopcalyptic Manifesto". I automatically grabbed the Apop cd without hesitation as well as cds by Clan of Xymox, Convenant, and Project Pitchfork. Although "Apopcalyptic Manifesto" is a compilation, most of the songs on this cd is new to me. In comparison to the other Apop cds I own, the music I heard on "Apopcalyptic Manifesto" is slightly more aggressive and experimental. I especially loved the instrumental "The Approach of Death". "All Tomorrows Parties" is perhaps my personal favorite song (w/vocals) on the cd. I enjoyed both versions of "Ashes to Ashes" a great deal. I can't pick which version I like more. Like my other Apop cds, I loved "Apopcalyptic Manifesto". I can't get enough of Apoptygma Berzerk."

Beautiful and energetic EBM

abfackeln | Vancouver, British Columbia | 02/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""a retrospective compilation", as it says on the cover, this album contains some of the best previously released apoptygma berzerk tracks and remixes from the "soli deo gloria" era (1991-1994). adorned with an additional 2 unreleased tracks, this album contains everything from dance-floor-stomping hits to experimental synth tracks. it opens with an appropriately fundamental electronic piece, "APB Goes C64", which, as you might guess, sounds as if the music were entirely composed on the classic commodore 64 computer, and is then quickly followed by the extremely dancable EBM track, "deep red", from the then-forthcoming album, "7". with many more hits on this album, apoptygma berzerk prove themselves to be one of the most musical of the EBM artists while still maintaining enough raw energy in their sound to be appreciated for their techno/industrial element. i would recommend this album to anyone that does not already have "soli deo gloria" and/or the four singles from that period. this is an excellent introduction to some very melodic industrial dance music."