In 1989, Stephan Groth and Jon Erik Martinsen formed Apoptygma Berzerk in Norway. They wrote several songs, one of them "Ashes To Ashes" would later be released as a 12" single on the Norwegian label Tatra Productions in 1991. Martinsen left the band shortly afterwards feeling uncomfortable with the direction of the band's music. Since then the band had many lineup changes, Groth being the only constant members.
Stephan Groth claims that the band name was randomly picked out of a dictionary. Apoptygma is an old Greek word for the fold of a woman's garment. Technically the 'y' ought to be pronounced like a long 'u', but the band's name is commonly pronounced a-pop-TIG-ma or a-pop-TEEG-ma.
Apoptygma Berzerk released six studio albums so far: Soli Deo Gloria in 1993, 7 in 1996, Welcome To Earth in 2000, Harmonizer in 2002, You and Me Against the World in 2005, and Rocket Science in 2009.
The first two albums, Soli Deo Gloria and 7 were a similar style of synthpop and EBM. Welcome to Earth featured an evolved EBM/synthpop sound. Harmonizer featured a softer, more synthpop-oriented direction. You and Me Against the World represented an almost complete change in style for the band, from EBM to indie rock-oriented sound. Rocket Science continued the rock-oriented direction of their sound.
They also released three compilations (The Apopcalyptic Manifesto in 1998, The Singles Collection in 2003 , Sonic Diary in 2006), three live albums (APBL98 in 1999, APBL2000 in 2001, Imagine There's No Lennon in 2010) and three live DVDs (APBL2000 in 2001, The Harmonizer DVD in 2004, Imagine There's No Lennon in 2010).
In total, the band issued six EPs: Victims of Mutilation in 1990, The 2nd Manifesto in 1992, Mourn EP in 1997, Unicorn EP in 2004, Black EP in 2006, and Green Queen in 2009.
List of former band members:
Jon Erik Martensen: keyboards (1989)
Per Aksel Lundgreen: keyboards/manager (1991–1994)
Anders Odden: guitars (1992-1999)
Geir Bratland: keyboards/backing vocals (1995-2009)
Fredrik Darum: producer/live guitarist (1999–2001)
Ted Skogmann: drums and guitar (1999–2002)
Fredrik Brarud: drums (2002-2009)
Audun Stengel (Angel): guitars (2002-2009)
Anders Odden: guitars (2003-2006)
Official site: http://www.apoptygmaberzerk.de
Mercy Kill
Apoptygma Berzerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stab me while you can
You rip my heart open
And so we crash-land again
Stumbling forward
Just a heart of gold
And a fist of glass
And so on it goes
Not so long ago
Just blame it all on me
Would be better off being a dead man
Lay it all on me
Destroy me while youb still can
Not so long ago it backfired and you ran
In search of higher love and a new beginning
Now you're still dwelling on the past
I'm telling you >>come on...I would still take a bullet for you>come on...
Not so long ago it backfired and you ran
In search of higher love and a new beginning
Now you're still dwelling on the past
I'm telling you >>come on...I would still take a bullet for you
The lyrics to Apoptygma Berzerk's song "Mercy Kill" explore the complex emotions and power dynamics of a tumultuous relationship. The song opens with a confrontational tone as the singer invites their partner to "tell it to my face" and "stab me while you can." The reference to "ripping my heart open" suggests that this is a relationship that has been marked by pain and betrayal.
Despite the intensity of their emotions, the singer seems to struggle with finding solid footing in the relationship. They describe themselves as "stumbling forward" with "a heart of gold and a fist of glass." This suggests that they may be caring and vulnerable, but also easily broken.
The line "the sharpest tool kills the fainthearted fool" further underscores the power dynamic at play. It seems as if the singer is acknowledging that they are more emotionally invested in the relationship, and thus more vulnerable to being hurt.
As the song progresses, the singer seems to grapple with the idea of blame and responsibility. They offer to "lay it all on me" and even claim that they would "still take a bullet" for their partner. However, they also suggest that their partner has been dwelling on the past and unable to move on. The song ends on a note of ambiguity, with the singer reaching out to their partner in spite of their pain.
Overall, the lyrics to "Mercy Kill" suggest a relationship that is marked by intense emotion, power dynamics, and a struggle for control.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell it to my face
Confess your true feelings to me directly
Stab me while you can
Hurt me while you still have the opportunity to do so
You rip my heart open
You hurt me deeply and emotionally
And so we crash-land again
The relationship between us has failed once more
Stumbling forward
Moving ahead blindly and uncertainly
Just a heart of gold
An inherently good and kind heart
And a fist of glass
Fragile and easily breakable resolve
And so on it goes
The cycle of love and loss repeats itself endlessly
The sharpest tool kills the fainthearted fool
The most heartless people are the ones who cause the most damage to sensitive individuals
Not so long ago
Recently in the past
Just blame it all on me
Put all the responsibility for our failed relationship on me
Would be better off being a dead man
Life is so unbearable that death would be an improvement
Lay it all on me
Blame me for everything that's gone wrong
Destroy me while you still can
Hurt me as much as possible before it's too late
Not so long ago it backfired and you ran
You tried to hurt me in the past but it didn't go as planned and you left me instead
In search of higher love and a new beginning
You left me because you wanted to find something more meaningful and fulfilling in a new relationship
Now you're still dwelling on the past
You're stuck in the past and can't move on from our failed relationship
I'm telling you >>come on...I would still take a bullet for you
Despite everything that's happened, I still care about you deeply and would do anything for you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kasey Stanley
Adore this song so much, Apoptygma Berzerk are simply amazing. They have lyrics that speak to me for every, single, thing, that I feel..<3
lechristian
Cool