Apoptygma Berzerk

Apoptygma Berzerk
Apoptygma Berzerk performing in 2014
Apoptygma Berzerk performing in 2014
Background information
Also known asAPB, APOP
OriginSarpsborg, Norway
GenresElectronic rock, futurepop, EBM, synth-pop
Years active1989–present
LabelsPitch Black Drive, Columbia, Tatra, Gun, Metropolis, Artoffact, Hard:Drive
Members
Past members
Websitetheapboffice.com

Apoptygma Berzerk (/əˈpɒptɪɡmə/; commonly abbreviated to APB or APOP) is a Norwegian band that produces a style of synth-pop and ballads backed with electronic rhythms, commonly known within the scene as "futurepop".[1][2] Apoptygma Berzerk has won awards and top 10 spots in Germany and Scandinavia.[3] Apoptygma Berzerk has toured Europe, North America, South America, Israel and Australia with bands such as VNV Nation, Beborn Beton, Icon of Coil and Unheilig.

Formation

The band was formed by Stephan Groth and Jon Erik Martinsen in 1989. Martinsen left the band due to creative differences. The name "Apoptygma Berzerk" has no particular meaning; frontman and founding member Groth claims that it was randomly picked out of a dictionary (the first word being derived from the Ancient Greek word ἀπόπτυγμα meaning "piece of a tunic").

Influences and style

Groth has cited influences including Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), Jean-Michel Jarre and John Carpenter.[4] The first two albums, Soli Deo Gloria and 7, were a similar style of electropop and EBM. Welcome to Earth eschewed the dark themes of 7 for a lighter, less aggressive sound, and included a few experimental tracks. In Harmonizer the style changed a softer, more synthpop-oriented direction, compared to previous albums, and their 2006 album, You and Me Against the World, represented an almost complete change in style for the band. It featured a more mainstream, indie rock-oriented sound, and the complete departure from the band's traditional electric synthpop and EBM roots that started with 7. In 2009, they released their album Rocket Science.

Many albums feature a hidden track that can be accessed by fast forwarding through many minutes of silence on the last album track. For instance, on 7, one can hear a remix of Nonstop Violence after Love Never Dies (Part II).[5][6]

Cover songs

The band has recorded cover songs for several of their albums. On the American version of 7 a cover of "Electricity" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is featured; similarly, Welcome to Earth features a cover of Metallica's "Fade to Black". You and Me Against the World has a cover of "Cambodia" by Kim Wilde and "Shine On" by The House Of Love. They have also recorded covers of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence", Suede's "Trash", Keane's "Bend and Break", Kraftwerk's "Ohm Sweet Ohm" and Marilyn Manson's "Coma White". Most recently, they have covered Peter Schilling's "Major Tom (Coming Home)".[7]

Members

Stephan Groth at Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2014

Current members

  • Stephan Groth (STP a/k/a Grothesk) – vocals, programming, guitar, samples (1989–present)
  • Ted Skogmann – drums, additional guitar (1999–2002, 2011–present)
  • Jonas Groth – keyboards, production (2009–present)
  • Audun Stengel (Angel) – guitar (2002–2009, 2013–present)

Former members

  • Geir Bratland – keyboards, backing vocals (1995–2009)
  • Fredrik Brarud – drums (2002–2009)
  • Brandon Smith – guitar (2009)[8]
  • Jon Erik Martinsen – keyboards (1989)
  • Per Aksel Lundgreen – keyboards (1990–1994)
  • Anders Odden – guitars (1992–1999, 2003–2006)
  • Fredrik Darum – live guitar (1999–2001)
  • Thomas Jakobsen – drums (2009–2011)

Live members

  • Leandra Ophelia Dax – keyboards (2010–present)

Other collaborators

Discography

Main article: Apoptygma Berzerk discography

Studio albums

References

  1. ^ "Apoptygma Berzerk – Release Music Magazine Spotlight". Releasemagazine.net. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  2. ^ "Apoptygma Berzerk – Futurepop – Norway". Darktronica.com. 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Apoptygma Berzerk Biography". Sing365.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Apoptygma Berzerk - Interview". Terra Relicta. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Nothing else matters (Hidden Track) von Apoptygma Berzerk – laut.de – Song". laut.de (in German). Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Welcome to Earth (Apoptygma Berzerk) Easter Egg - Hidden Track". eeggs.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ Apoptygma Berzerk - Major Tom, 2013, retrieved 10 December 2023
  8. ^ nenART Mediadesign – Office for interactive Marketing and Rich-Media Development. "The official APOPTYGMA BERZERK Information Center // Impressum". The APB-Office. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
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