The Devil's Walk cover

The Devil's Walk

Apparat · 2011

47 min · 10 tracks · glitch

Melancholic soundscapes blend with intricate electronic textures, creating an immersive emotional journey through loss and introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Sweet Unrest — This track opens the album with haunting melodies that set the tone for the entire journey, capturing the essence of introspection and unease.
  • →
    Goodbye — With its poignant arrangement and vocal delivery, this track encapsulates themes of loss and farewell, making it a standout moment in the album.
  • →
    A Bang in the Void — This closing track features expansive sound design that evokes feelings of emptiness and reflection, serving as a powerful conclusion to the listening experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100
Alpine
Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album features intricate soundscapes and emotional depth, making it a strong entry in Apparat's discography.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a gradual build-up in 'Sweet Unrest', layering electronic textures that create a dense atmosphere.
  • Tracks often feature extended instrumental sections, allowing the soundscapes to evolve slowly over time.
  • The use of contrasting dynamics is evident, with softer passages leading into more intense moments, particularly in 'Goodbye' and 'Ash/Black Veil'.
  • Several tracks incorporate field recordings and vocal samples, adding depth and a sense of place to the compositions.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • reflective immersive auditory journey
  • steady mid-tempo flow throughout
  • haunting vocals with ethereal soundscapes
  • for contemplative evenings

Maybe skip if you

  • seek instant gratification
  • prefer upbeat party tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2011, The Devil's Walk is Apparat's first album after his acclaimed collaboration with Modeselektor on the project Moderat. This record marks a significant step in Apparat's evolution as a solo artist, showcasing a more personal and introspective sound compared to his earlier works.
Stylistic neighbors
Nils Frahm· Max Cooper· Ólafur Arnalds

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Sweet Unrest 3:34
  • 2 Song of Los 4:34
  • 3 Black Water 4:43
  • 4 Goodbye 4:17
  • 5 Candil de la calle 4:37
  • 6 The Soft Voices Die 4:22
  • 7 Escape 5:46
  • 8 Ash/Black Veil 5:44
  • 9 A Bang in the Void 6:02
  • 10 Your House Is My World 3:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata