Apoptygma Berzerk have produced a tour de force of fabulous electronic darkwave music. This album is inspired. The tracks are incredibly varied in style. Mourn is very reminiscent of Depeche Mode, synthy 80’s-style pop with a dark twist. Half Asleep is high energy techno. Love Never Dies (II) is acoustic with floaty female vocals.

Whatever the style, the songs are exceptionally good. Strong beats and catchy melodies make many of the tracks dance-floor hits. The lyrics tend towards the dark and disturbing. Take Deep Red for example; What the hell was Grothesk thinking when he wrote this? I’ve reprinted the lyrics below, so that you can see for yourself. Whatever the lyrics though, this song is full of beans - it just takes hold and makes you want to fling yourself about the dance-floor.

If any criticism can be levelled at Apoptygma Berzerk it’s that their songs tend to be just a trifle overstated. I mean, the idea of mixing pounding electronics with Orff’s Carmina Burana in Love Never Dies (I) is bold, and it works really well. But... well it’s just a teensy bit pretentious. Who can resist taking the piss by dancing the “duck dance” to it? But what fun!