PHOTOS: Apoptygma Berzerk @ The Crofoot by RebeccaMich

Electro-industrial, Futurepop, Alternative Rock, Synthpop. However you choose to categorize Apoptygma Berzerk, you definitely cannot ignore this bands unique upbeat danceable electronic rhythm. I had the chance to hang out and chat with this Norwegian-based European award-winning group before they hit the stage at the Crofoot last week.

Front man and original member, Stephan Groth, described his band as something in between Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode. But, definitely more Rock than Depeche Mode and more Electronic than NIN. He attributed the band’s evolution (they’ve been making music for about a decade now) to these influences and others in the industrial and electro scene. Getting to travel the world has also helped APOP evolve. Groth noted that he speaks Norwegian, Danish, German and jokingly “some English”.

As Groth told me before the show, they like to play a couple things from each album to cover all bases. And the fans really know what’s up because from the moment APOP hit the stage, the crowd was dancing-asses-off and singing along. For a moment I was taken to that club scene from The Matrix, minus the gunfight, add more PVC.

You can really tell that after making music for this long, Apoptygma Berzerk absolutely loves what they do and they take to the stage as if they have the excitement of a first time performer yet the skill and crowd control of a pro.

Don’t forget to pick up APOP’s latest release Rocket Science so the next time they are in town, you can be right up there dancing and singing along too.