Moderat and “III”: Apparat and Modeselektor’s shared electronics with visuals

Moderat are one of the most spectacular successes on the dance and electronic scene in recent years. Following the now-cult “II”, Sascha, Sebastian and Gernot return with the final part of their magnificent album trilogy, “III”.

They can be called a supergroup. The musicians themselves understand that the band aspect of their work is precisely what makes them successful. Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary (aka Modeslektor), together with Sascha Ring (Apparat), began working as a trio at roughly the same time as their other projects started. The early days were difficult: Sascha laughingly recalls that they began as a “laptop boy band”, writing their own software because “at that time there wasn’t any software for live performances”.

Ring admits that “as Moderat, they did not initially plan to record in the studio”. Bronsert, meanwhile, remembers that they met “really just for fun”. This may explain the six-year gap between their first EP and their 2009 debut album, “I”. From the outset, however, they intended to create music somewhat different from the work released under their other projects. Their shared experiences produced the excellent Moderat album “II”. While the debut combined the sounds of Modeslektor and Apparat, working on the second record brought the musicians closer together in search of a more mature synthesis. The trilogy culminates in their latest album, “III”, on which, as the musicians acknowledge, Moderat finally sound like a mature, united band fully aware of its own style!

Szary says the idea behind their work is simple: “We imagine sitting in a dark cinema, watching a fascinating film with a wonderful soundtrack.” Moderat’s music has indeed always had this visual yet emotional quality, but their evocative, sensual musicality blossoms fully on “III”. On this third album, Moderat sound extraordinarily dynamic yet profound, including lyrically. One might suspect that they intended to draw listeners into a world of sound and musical imagination in much the same way that John Williams or Hans Zimmer do with a traditional orchestra.

Bronsert explains: “The new album was not based on electronic jam sessions. We entered the studio knowing exactly what each of us had to do.”

One of these German artists’ greatest skills is using electronic tools to achieve an almost orchestral richness of sound. Their compositional talent goes hand in hand with extraordinary attention to every sonic detail and production skills developed over almost 25 years in club music. Remember that this extraordinary trio’s career is an integral part of Berlin’s now-legendary rave history. Those inspirations remain crucial on “III”, transformed and filtered through each musician’s individual sensitivity and resounding beautifully within a contemporary pop format.

Bronsert admits that “our music has certainly matured”, and it is hard to disagree. While retaining an almost boyish freshness and spontaneous club sensibility, Moderat have developed enormously as a group. Over the years they have forged their own unique style, proudly displayed on “III”. It is an extraordinary achievement by an exceptional band.

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