The last time Apoptygma Berzerk(APB)toured the USA was about two years ago. This tour, The Welcome To Earth Tour, named after the latest CD, included more shows in several regions of the country, including their first performance in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 9, 2000. Along with openers VNV Nation and Noxious Emotion, the show was at the Riviera Club as part of Hexensnacht which features goth and industrial dance music.
Before the concert I interviewed Stephan Groth of APB. A transcript will soon be available. When I asked Groth how he was enjoying his visit to the south, he mentioned the humidity and how much sweat it brings about.
Following VNV's performance the APB crew set up the equipment on stage and the show started with "Starsign," the first song from the newest album. Lots of fog and lights accompanied this song along with a backdrop of the crop circle formations from the album's cover.
The band then played some of their older songs, including "Stitch" and my personal favorite, "Deep Red," in which red lighting gave the fog a more emotional effect.
Before the start of "Kathy's Song" from Welcome to Earth, Groth asked the audience, "Are you ready for some synth pop?" The audience, a mixture of goths and rivetheads, exploded with even more applause.
APB also played "Paranoia," "Eclipse," "Soultaker" and a cover of Metallica's "Fade to Black" from their latest release, along with "Burning Heretic" and "Non-Stop Violence" from their earlier albums. Before going into "Fade To Black," Groth asked the audience, "Any Metallica fans here?" I wonder how the guy in the "Napster Bad, Money Good" Metallica shirt responded.
The audience interaction Groth raised on "Non-Stop Violence" was great, as he got the crowd to sing along to a song inspired by his refusal to serve in the Norwegian military.
APB's main set ended with "Mourn," one of their best known songs that is dedicated to the late Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.
APB then left the stage, returning for a two song encore that included a powerful performance of "Love Never Dies" and "Beatbox."APB's live CD from their 1998 European tour prepared me for the energy levels to expect from the performances but being present for them intensifies them to a greater level. The lights and movement of the audience added to the great sound of the band.
The energy they bring about live is incredible. The show seemed to be about normal length although some of my friends who were at the bar during the performance said APB played for a long time, about 90 minutes.
I am eagerly awaiting their return to this hemisphere.
