APOPTOSE

"Schattenmädchen"

Tesco Organisation - 2007

CD

This third Apoptose full-length CD was born as a collection of re-worked previously released tracks and brand-new compositions by this cult German project. "Schattenmädchen" (little girl of shadows) compiles contributions to samplers like "Statement 1961", "Infernal Proteus", "Solaris Collaboration" and "In The Crystal Cage", as well as brand-new and innovative blending of dark ambient sceneries with spoke words. German and English texts are read by the band members' themselves as well as Stephen Carpenter and a mysterious "girl from the office", while the Japanese stream of consciousness on the title-track belongs to the ubiquitous Kenji Siratori.

Apoptose's music has slowly shifted from the arcane and monolithic neoclassical sound of "Nordland" to the hypnotic rituals of "Blutopfer", and now presents itself with different cyber-oriented atmospheres, waved through the use of powerful electronic masses and cold, unsettling spoken words. Sometimes you can hear echoes of Bad Sector or similar hi-tech ambient, but there is still that distinctive feeling of mystery, of ancient and sacral, especially on initial "Asche", on the excellent "Violent Silence", the epic and impressive title-track and the overwhelming "Ba-137 m", while instrumental piece "2wei Sonnen" definitely returns to the origin (indeed, it was enhanced in 2006 but composed in 2000).

"Schattenmädchen" is another beautiful chapter in Apoptose's discography, showing the constant evolution of a project that hasn't fossilized on its primary intuitions, unlike many other dark ambient musicians. Even if you already own the samplers from which most of these tracks come, they have been altered and re-worked enough to make the purchase worth, not mentioning the three excellent unreleased pieces. Another essential Tesco release for this year!

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.apoptose.net

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tescogermany