While their first two releases (Victims of Mutilation and Ashes To Ashes) were more death metal and nazi mockery-type of stuff (not my thing), The 2nd Manifesto is when they started finding their 'classic' sound. I consider this the real start of Apoptygma Berzerk.

Due to the long delay between supplements so far this year, I have had time to grow familiar with this recording, and it has reached a peak of 'likeability' in the SOFT WATCH offices & has sustained, even increased it's popularity over this period. Yes, it falls into the crowded EBM scene, but has the variety of, say CASSANDRA COMPLEX with the razor-blade danceability of KMFDM combined with the commerciality of, believe it or not THE PET SHOP BOYS! No, don't become prejudice & move on - to the catchy, poppy music & song structure they have added grab-yer- throat power half hidden & clever enough to rely on something more than fuzz, distortion & volume. "The Approach Of Death (intro)" opens things - a more laid-back, instrumental piece which is lighter than the title suggests, a non-beat piece which seems to have brought Gothic pomp out into the daylight where, cringing & blinking, it regards itself as a surprisingly beautiful creation. "Spiritual Reality" harkens towards the KMFDM "Vogue" album - a well-catchy piece which should please fans both on the dancefloor & in the confines of their personal abodes. "Burning Heretics (Gothic Version)" starts off with a calming, CARPENTER-like sequential rhythm, gradually moving into an area I can only describe as the bastard offspring of "Reproduction" period HUMAN LEAGUE & ABBA at their darkest (!?!). "Seven Signs" kicks back into danceable action with a fast electronic thing which thumps along at a goodish pace, with the vocal harmonies echoing NEIL TENNANT's own from the early PET SHOP albums, "Our Souls Will Remain (Outro)" closes the ep, a warm, medium-paced rhythmic piece which engulfs you in synthesizer waves a few degrees higher than body heat, cossetting you rather than smothering, as you dance into the small hours. A short track leaving you with a nagging hunger to hear more. This group have impressed the hell out of me with the variety on this recording - they have escaped the cold clinical steel blade sound & stand ready to breath warm life back into Electronic Music's Body! Originally reviewed for Soft Watch.