Apoptygma Berzerk – Disarm [B-Sides & Rarities] (Pitch Black Drive Productions)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    2 mei 2020

Apoptygma Berzerk keeps on digging out pearls and diamonds from the past as they can’t go out and play fort heir fans! We already had the first out of 4 albums and it’s with pleasure that I present you the second album!

 


Next to the 4 digital albums with remixes, rarities etc they also think about launching new vinyl: Rocket Science (LP) and Nein Danke! (EP).

Now let’s focus on the music: Disarm (Alex O. Mix) is remix, but yet we haven’t heard the first version of this track as it’s indeed a rarity. It’s a cover version of a classic track from The Smashing Pumpkins. The song has turned into a disco / melancholy minded and very dancefloor orientated track! According to me they should try it out during their next gigs (once we all got our vaccine)! They start directly with a big hit and I adore it! I hope some radio’s will pick it up and put it into their playlist!

Until The End Of The World (Lauf Um Dein Leben Soundtrack Version) was released on the soundtrack only (at least this version). This kind of an R.E.M. version has turned out to be more of an acoustic track with a high dose of melancholy. It’s the second track and my second WOW momentum! It’s clear that this album is exploring their past and digging out the forgotten pearls!

Kathy's Song (Litteraturhuset Versjon) turns out to be a morelounge / electro version with some robotic voice over and some psychedelic space blips and beeps. For once I prefer the original version, but I’m sure lot’s of fans of the old school 80’s sound will love it!

Pikachu (Darkdream Mix By Soni Code) has kept some of the more trance/dreamy parts, but has added a dancefloor-minded electro vibe to it with stumping beats. The repetitive feel gives it a cool flashback sound. It’s a good version! Well done!

Backdraft (Sarpsborg Synth Version) has a more upfront keyboard minded sound, but keeps pretty close to the original and thus still sounds strong and great! I like the catchiness of the track very much, so thank you!

Starsign (hard_code Remix) has been completely remodelled and it’s not bad! Once you are over and forget how the original sounded you are sucked into this new and very modern sounding track! It sounds like taken over by an electro DJ who mixed all kind of noise into it and almost managed to create a real techno feel (I can almost see the turntables)!

In This Together (Voltage Controlled Music Remix) sounds a bit colder than the original version, but I still feel some of the good vibes.

Green Queen (Recepteur Mondial Bouncing Remix) turns out to be a cut up breakbeat remix with some trance-minded passages. Just a bit weird that it ends suddenly.

Unicorn (T. Schmidt and A. Deal Tanzmischung) change this classic APOP-track into a more dancefloor orientated version. I still have to get used to it, but I’m really enthusiastic about it!

Suffer In Silence(Kyau vs. Albert Remix Edit) changes more into a techno-electro version. It’s not bad at all, but I somehow miss the original touch, however can imagine it could be a future club hit!

Moment Of Tranquility (Radio Edit) is a softer track with a floating feel, almost like as if you are an astronaut and you are having a spacewalk with some bleeps from the 80’s in the background. Enjoy also the positive feel, let your body be touched by the ray of lights and dive into the tranquility and wave goodbye to all the negativity!

Love To Blame (Commentary Version) tells you the story on how they created this track. Something really cool for the fans!

Well I really liked this “new” album. It’s well balanced and am pretty sure all the fans will at least find a few tracks they will adore and cherish! Cool thing is that it might even gather new fans and might also make some DJ’s happy! Enjoy and play it loud!

Spread the music, not the virus!

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