Release Date: September 27, 2011
Germany’s electronic brilliance, Apparat (aka Sascha Ring), migrated south this past winter to create a musical landscape unlike his past explorations. The Devil’s Walk is a change of pace for Ring. The melodies glide a little more gracefully, and the beats land a little more subtly. Straying even further away from the techno-style dance beats that he jump-started his career with, Ring continuously brands himself in a new light with each album he releases.
Since his last full-length release Walls in 2007, Apparat has released several EPs and mixes to quench his fans’ thirsts. Delving into dubstep, techno and house, along with ambient and atmospherical textures, Ring melds a blend topped with his own variation of a tropical twist.
Nestled up in a mountaintop house with a stunning ocean view, Ring and several musician friends spent their time basking in the warm Mexico sun in hopes of creating an album with a lighter, breezier sound. Escaping the harsh winters of Berlin for inspiration was well worth the trek.
The Devil’s Walk is a dreamy, ambient soundtrack of whimsical melodies and airy textures.
“Black Water” is the melodic first single. The vocals are melancholy and soft, yet hopeful—like tears of happiness after a moment of self-discovery. The sunny influences are highly apparent in this track with an oceanic sound-filled backdrop: coated, airy vocals and echoed keys.
Easily comparable to Thom Yorke, in vocals and styling, Ring is just as genius (or close to) yet highly underrated in the American electronic music scene. However, his work in Europe as a producer, co-owner of label Shitkatapult Records and experimental musician has gotten him ample praise. His meticulous production of various layers of sounds and emotional vocal complements makes the comparison clear.
In the most obvious example, Apparat relays carefully scattered glitches over continuous reverbs. The layers of fragile beats atop the relentless build-up in “Ash/Black Veil” unravel with haunting destruction. His atmospheric sound is encompassing and warm, yet tense and anxious. Combining highly produced sounds with organic ones, “Ash/Black Veil” is a beautifully eerie anthem.
Not every song off The Devil’s Walk is dark and mysterious, though. Album closer “Your House Is My World” is a peaceful ballad. Melodic and touching, this closer ends way too soon. The folk influences and graceful vocals are lined perfectly with a continuous, simple beat. The song is weightless and flowy, a perfect way to end an inspirational and long-awaited journey.
Apparat – The Devil’s Walk tracklist:
- “Sweet Unrest”
- “Song of Los”
- “Black Water”
- “Goodbye”
- “Candil de la Calle”
- “The Soft Voices Die”
- “Escape”
- “Ash/Black Veil”
- “A Bang in the Void”
- “Your House Is My World”
