Concert Review by Mark Bayross
LA2, London, UK – 29 February 2000
Norway’s Apoptygma Bezerk have always proved that darkwave music can have soul. Their classic 7 album was a perfect blend of electro-goth and pop and sold by the truckload as a result. Unsurprisingly, since 7 they have enjoyed a healthily wide audience – there is something for everyone here.
Tonight, despite taking place on a Tuesday, the LA2 is packed to the rafters. Fortunately for Inertia, who must live in this place given the number of times they perform here, they get to play to a full house. They also seem to have raised their game considerably, spicing up the set with a lot more variety than before. Energetic frontman Reza always seems to be enjoying himself, bouncing around the stage like a demented ringmaster while Alexis thumps her drumpads and the guys twist angular shapes out of the synths.
Apoptygma Bezerk arrive onstage to an ecstatic reception. They kick off with a song from their new album, “Welcome To Earth”, and within five seconds, it’s clear that the record is going to be superb. Pounding beats, driving bass and a beautifully melodic chorus amount to a stunning opening. It doesn’t matter that half the crowd doesn’t know the song – it’s instantly gripping.
The rest of the early songs are made up of older material – STITCH and BACKDRAFT from debut album SOLI DEO GLORIA – and live staple PARANOIA, until the deep bass of DEEP RED and the pounding beats of NON-STOP VIOLENCE thunder into view with a spectacular lightshow and the crowd goes wild. A Nirvana-less MOURN (one of the most hauntingly beautiful moments from 7) is followed by a pounding electro version of Metallica’s FADE TO BLACK, which features on the new album. It is almost unrecognisable until Stephan Groth starts singing. It’s unbelievably exciting and it also goes to show that Ulrich and Hetfield could write a fantastic tune as far back as 1984.
A couple of newies later and the triumphant LOVE NEVER DIES starts up to the biggest cheer of the night. By now everyone is dancing, the Carmina Burana chorus accompanied by hundreds of hands being thrown into the air. They close with the tightly-wound “Bitch”, but re-emerge to encore with SOULTAKER, a stormer from the new album and a sure-fire hit if ever they release it as a single.
All in all, a fantastic show, but we all knew it would be. As the goths, EBM freaks, synthpop and industrial fans all disappear off to their respective homes and batcaves, it was encouraging to see such a good turnout. Unlike Germany and Scandinavia, the UK mainstream will never have the guts to embrace darkwave acts like Apoptygma and our very own VNV Nation, but that’s everyone else’s loss.
