APOPTYGMA BERZERK APBL2000 DVD HARD:DRIVE, DEPENDENT, SSC, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: JUNE, 2001 (GERMANY), AUGUST, 2001 (SCANDINAVIA) REVIEW: AUGUST 27, 2001

This is the second live output in three years from Apoptygma Berzerk. Only this time there are two more formats to choose from. The rapidly popular DVD technology offers better sound and visual performance while standard VHS will work better with those who stay true to the familiar.
Noteworthy also, that this review focuses on the DVD release only. It holds more material, but lacks the 24 page booklet that comes with the VHS version.
The content mix live performances from various locations - Norway, Sweden and some US clubs for example - with a lot of back stage mingle, fan comments, rehearsals and general goofing around. All in perfect quality, both the visual and the audio.
The songs include Apoptygma's biggest hits, ie "Bitch", "Starsign", "Non-Stop Violence", "Kathy's Song" and "Mourn" as well as a few surprises, like the B-side track "Beatbox" and album tracks like "Soultaker" and "Fade to Black" from the latest album "Welcome to Earth". They all have a notably harder sound live than on record, with a great deal of guitars added to the otherwise strictly electronic sound.
"APBL2000" is a very nice 88 minutes and, I'm guessing, also a must have for the die hard Apop fans. I'll go so far as to say it's also required viewing for the intermediate fans of the band. Expect brand new material soon.

NIKLAS FORSBERG