Apoptygma Berzerk – Rocket Science

Releasedate: 23-01-2009; Label: Gun Records/Sony BMG
By: Nina Mende

The four lovely Norwegians of Apoptygma Berzerk have released their new album Rocket Science. That is their sixth studio album since 1989 when the band began. Since then a lot has happened, some band members left, other ones came. They have achieved success with a unique brand of upbeat, danceable synth pop, and haunting ballads backed with electronic rhythms and have a big fan base around the world.

Each letter of the album name on the front cover contains a picture of an historical event or a special sign. In the booklet you can find the lyrics to the songs, band thank-yous and some interesting pictures. On the back of the booklet there is a blue pill which says “asleep” and a red one saying “awake”.
As the album begins the sound is taking the weight of the world off your shoulders and your mind to free your thoughts. The lyrics to each song are quite interesting to listen to. Each song is very catchy and makes your spirit flow along with the rhythm. The topics are quite up to date. Some of the fourteen tracks are faster some slower but all are getting stuck in your ear easily and will definitely have you at least nod along. Apoptygma Berzerk managed it again to combine several different styles to a whole and gorgeous sound, a one of a kind. There is no main-style in this album that’s going through the entire CD, no. This time each song stands on its own yet fitting into the big puzzle of Rocket Science. Till the song “Right” at least. “Pitch Black/Heat Death” just comes snapping in with straight guitar riffs and pure rock without a soft intro or anything. It is just there, at once. The last three songs are quite outstanding and different compared to the rest of the album.

Rocket Science is a totally interesting album. Now I can’t wait to see the band live again.

Tracklist: 1. Weight Of The World 2. Apollo (live On Your TV) 3. Asleep Or Awake? 4. Incompatible 5. United States Of Credit 6. Shadow 7. Green Queen 8. Butterfly Defect 9. The State Of Your Heart (shit End Of The Deal) 10. Rocket Calculator 11. Right 12. Pitchblack / Heat Death 13. Black Vs. White 14. Trash