Press materials by courtesy of Noisolution
Apewards – Liminal Choices
Album | 23/05/2025 | Tonzonen
41:36 | 12 tracks | Vinyl/CD/Digital
Alternative Rock / Heavy Rock
Marburg, Germany
Sticking to the succesful strategy
Two years ago, Marburg’s power trio Apewards released their third longplayer Akrasia. The nine-track album was recorded all analoguely, produced by Matt Korr and Jennifer Geitz, wrapped in an artwork by Manuel Lambertz, and it turned out to be a success. Content with the results, Frank Eckerle (drums, synths), Lukas Plümpe (bass, vocals), and Nico Gehle (guitar, vocals) used this strategy again for album number four. As an upgrade to their 2023 album Akrasia, Liminal Choices is published via Krefeld’s Tonzonen Records. Also, contentwise, Liminal Choices covers a broader subject area than its predecessor Akrasia which predominantly focused on the desire for comfort.
Borderline experience
On nine little tales, the trio from Marburg deals with situations or the experience of Liminal Choices. These stories are about decisions or moments that change lives, perspectives, environments. From the top of the parabola, Apewards concern the thin line between progress and standstill (Hesitation), the frustrations that come with eveyday life in our post-modern society (Toxic Trait), or the everlasting inner struggle between rising up and giving up (Ashes).
Melancholy is a golden thread that leads through the album but also receives special attention in A Standing Apart. Music-wise, the B-side is slightly darker, yet it conveys more hope-spreading, encouraging content, such as the powerful track Becoming. With Homeward Bound, Liminal Choices reveals its structure that may appear cyclical when observed on the surface but actually turns out to be a spiraling movement. With the reflecting and introspective heavy blues ballad Red Mountains, Apewards look back and embrace the strength and the resilience which they have gathered on their journey so far.
From chapter to chapter
Nine little stories and three instrumental interludes tell of dark circumstances on the one hand, and spread hope and courage on the other. Liminal Choices is a heavy, yet soulful, empowering lose collection of tales which most listeners will be able to relate with. Apewards have produced an album that addresses those who face life-changing events, and those who have surpassed them simultaneously.
7/10 Mangoes
We will dance again
Mia Schem
