APOPTYGMA BERZERK
HARMONIZER (Metropolis)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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"Okay, amp... Let me out." What does this mean? He says it over and over. Is this a mean amp? Is the amp flirting with unlawful imprisonment charges and maybe even capital kidnapping? God, now the guy is gasping, as if down to the last few ounces of oxygen, "let me out - let me out - let me out!" What the hell kind of amp is this? Please tell me so I never, ever accidentally buy one and bring it into my home where my wife and children sleep!! "...let met out..." Come ON, Amp, let him out!! For the love of God, his voice is gravelly and pained and... the song's over. His voice is... gone. Is he dead? Did the amp kill him? BAD AMP!! BAD!!!

Apoptygma Berzerk isn't actually a band. It's all the work of Stephan Groth, who has also recorded as Grothesk. The music is a heady mix of electronica and industrial that can jump completely to the electronica side at times. Far more inventive and deserving of full attention than most electronic music, Apoptygma Berzerk repays your efforts with clever thoughts, subliminal flashes and tons of ear candy. Groth is most comfortable working with harsh sawtooth tones that piston in and out amongst each other in such a way that the drums don't need to be ramped up to jackhammer speed to get the industrial implication across. The vocals on several cuts contrast these sharp tones as they smoothly convey lyrics that may not be important but are, nonetheless, hypnotic.

After 70 minutes of music like this you may be addicted. So many sounds to process. Or you may need a break before digging back into Harmonizer. Amp? Let me out. ... Amp?

© 2002 - DJ Johnson