The last time we saw Apparat release an original, self-made record was in 2007 and it was 'Walls'. Since then we’ve seen collaboration’s and DJ albums, but now Sascha Ring is no longer alone in his musical quest. Apparat is now a band, although that could quite easily go unnoticed. The sound hasn’t changed dramatically, the inclusion of new musicians, however, does make for some of Apparat’s most expansive and, quite frankly, beautiful music to date. If you can imagine Burial covering Thom Yorke, you won’t be a million miles away from the sounds of 'The Devil’s Walk'.
'Sweet Unrest' is an ambient opener that sets the mood to perfection, a female choir is draped over xylophones and keys to create a haunting sound fitting the feelings of a cathedral. 'Sound Of Los' demonstrates the tender vocal talents of Ring, while multi-layered beats provide the only instrumentation, so if you have a sub, turn it up. There is some body filling bass to be had. 'Black Water', the album’s lead single, gathered a lot of coverage on its unveiling for it’s vast resonance and the emotion it carried. specifically Ring’s vocals. Well hearing it as a part of The Devil’s Walk only further verifies the fact that this song is a work of art and the track of the album. 'Goodbye' carries with it some serious, heart-felt clout. It’s incredible how much can be achieved with so little, so few musicians can master that art, but Apparat have nailed it here. The definition of melancholic.
'Candil De La Calle' picks up the relinquished pace with break neck beats and even sees the band dip their toe into realm of dubstep experimentation. Fascinating loops are hidden throughout the track, this is the new Apparat climbing to their most danceable peaks. 'The Soft Voices Die' pushes 'Black Water' all the way to the wire for track of the album. There’s a very Sigur Ros feel to it, building with a piano and xylophone, the back drop fills with subtle electronica until the climactic violins stab there way to the forefront. 'Escape' strangely carries on with the Sigur Ros ‘thing’ with elegant pianos, strings and background, regimental clapping. 'Ash Black Veil' is the most complex track of the album and finds itself floating between the two extremes of this record, joy and sorrow. The electronics on offer could see this track on a dance floor but the pained vocals could have this track placed anywhere but.
This record truly has two sides; the thrust hips and dance side as well as the raw, ambient cry into your pillow side. It explores the euphoria that can be found on the dance floor as well as the solemn melancholy that can be found lurking inside all of us. 'The Devil’s Walk' is possible the most perfectly pitched album of 2011, from a band that will remain to go unnoticed by the majority of music fans.
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'Candil De La Calle' picks up the relinquished pace with break neck beats and even sees the band dip their toe into realm of dubstep experimentation. Fascinating loops are hidden throughout the track, this is the new Apparat climbing to their most danceable peaks. 'The Soft Voices Die' pushes 'Black Water' all the way to the wire for track of the album. There’s a very Sigur Ros feel to it, building with a piano and xylophone, the back drop fills with subtle electronica until the climactic violins stab there way to the forefront. 'Escape' strangely carries on with the Sigur Ros ‘thing’ with elegant pianos, strings and background, regimental clapping. 'Ash Black Veil' is the most complex track of the album and finds itself floating between the two extremes of this record, joy and sorrow. The electronics on offer could see this track on a dance floor but the pained vocals could have this track placed anywhere but.
