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
Paranoia
Apoptygma Berzerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Embrace the drug that makes you mad, cause still it turns you into something else
Feel the need for love grow stronger
Swap your mind for a mirror-search, and shake until the break of day
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
And you'll regret that all this happened
Did it happen?
Left with paranoia as your only friend
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
That want to take control
They're all around you, and you're all alone
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
Haunting your soul
They're all around you, and you're on your own
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
You'll regret that all this happened
Some day you'll realize that you were wrong
To be left with paranoia
The lyrics of the song Paranoia by Apoptygma Berzerk delve into the theme of drug addiction and its consequences. The first two lines describe the urge to consume a drug, regardless of its horrible taste or the madness it induces. The drug becomes a source of strength and metamorphosis, but at a great cost. The need for love grows stronger, and the addiction replaces the person’s true self with a distorted image of themselves. The lyrics suggest that addiction and the need for control transform people into their worst selves, leading to regret and paranoia.
The second half of the song shifts to the effects of drug addiction on the mind. The mind becomes the source of enemy and energy, manifesting as paranoia, and the person becomes isolated and alone. The lyrics depict a sense of helplessness and the inability to control these thoughts or emotions. The person is haunted by their soul and is left with nothing but paranoia as their friend.
In conclusion, the song Paranoia by Apoptygma Berzerk paints a vivid picture of the effects of drug addiction on the individual. The lyrics emphasize the need for control, the consequences of addiction, and the subsequent feelings of regret and paranoia.
Line by Line Meaning
Chew the pill that tastes like hell, but gives you strength
Take the difficult path that will lead to growth and strength
Embrace the drug that makes you mad, cause still it turns you into something else
Accept the unconventional, even if it may take you out of your comfort zone
Feel the need for love grow stronger
Experience a powerful longing for a deep connection with another person
Swap your mind for a mirror-search, and shake until the break of day
Exchange your self-awareness for a desperate search for validation, and become overwhelmed with anxiety
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
At some point, you'll come to understand that you've made mistakes
And you'll regret that all this happened
You'll feel remorse for the events that have taken place in your life
Did it happen?
Questioning whether or not reality is as it seems
Some day you'll realize that you were wrong
Eventually, you'll come to terms with your own errors in judgement
Left with paranoia as your only friend
End up with nothing but anxiety as your constant companion
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
Feeling that others are out to get you or that there is negative energy present in your surroundings
That want to take control
Desire to manipulate and suppress your thoughts and feelings
They're all around you, and you're all alone
You feel surrounded by negative influences and completely isolated in your struggle
Haunting your soul
Disturbing and tormenting your innermost being
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KELSEY KATHERINE ROBERTS, ALLEN JAMES ARGYILAN, JACKSON COLIN GIAMPA, RYAN ANTHONY RABE, EVAN ROEL ROSALEZ-COBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@evafenyvesi2208
Chew the pill that tastes like hell, but gives you strength
Embrace the drug that makes you mad, cause still it turns you into something else
Feel the need for love grow stronger
Swap your mind for a mirror-search, and shake until the break of day
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
And you'll regret that all this happened
Did it happen?
Some day you'll realize that you were wrong
Left with paranoia as your only friend
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
That want to take control
They're all around you, and you're all alone
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
Haunting your soul
They're all around you, and you're on your own
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
You'll regret that all this happened
Some day you'll realize that you were wrong
To be left with paranoia
@ericmchugh7090
One of the greatest albums start-to-finish I've ever heard. And I'm in my late 40's. Genius stuff here.
@jerekuukkanen6565
Holy fukin shit when i get welcome to earth from in my hands..party was going on and full of exxxx... 😗
@UsoundsGermany
Yup there is great attention to detail on this album and even if more melodic then earlier ones still not selling out (or overly "pop" music) - that happened later in their career...also late 40ties here :P
@jerekuukkanen6565
Cannot even talk from this album..too fukin close to me
..hope that i survive.. i was almost beaten by death in this week..i but my fb nick name later
@EagesTV
I'm 33 and I grew up on late 90s and 00s industrial.
Apop is timeless like old VnV Nation.
@lutzmelchert3937
Memories start to flow...😎😜
@fragmentspread
Questo album già datato e sempre attuale meriterebbe un posto d’onore !!!!!!
@brewcitymike1
This whole album was amazing. I had a friend HUGE into the EBM scene in starting in 2000 and he gave me a copy of this and VNV's Burning Empires which was enough to draw me in. But unlike so many who think Kathy's Song is the albums gem, for me this is the best track followed by Starsign. However my #1 track by them is Deep Red. Its got that dark mid-late 90s goth vibe nailed perfectly.
@TheJameslehr
Stephan Groth going AMOK here. And i'm loving it.
@evafenyvesi2208
Chew the pill that tastes like hell, but gives you strength
Embrace the drug that makes you mad, cause still it turns you into something else
Feel the need for love grow stronger
Swap your mind for a mirror-search, and shake until the break of day
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
And you'll regret that all this happened
Did it happen?
Some day you'll realize that you were wrong
Left with paranoia as your only friend
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
That want to take control
They're all around you, and you're all alone
Your mind is full of enemies, the room is full of energies
Haunting your soul
They're all around you, and you're on your own
One day you'll realize that you were wrong
You'll regret that all this happened
Some day you'll realize that you were wrong
To be left with paranoia