Gravestone - Doomsday (Germany 1979)

When Gravestone formed in the late seventies the band featured Berti Majdan (v,b), Wolfgang Rittner (g), Rudi Dorner (g), Mike Schmidt (d) and Andy Müller (k). After their debut "Doomsday" (1979) the cast almost completely changed. With Dietmar "Oli" Orlitta (v,b), Taki Gradl (g), Rudi Dorner (g), Dieter Behle (d) and Andy Müller (k) the album "War" followed in 1980. After that, there were some further changes: Berti Majdan (v), Mathias Dieth (g) and Klaus Reinelt (g) now joined the band.



Gravestone came from Illertissen / Germany and played progressive guitar-rock of the harder but also very melodic kind. Its first vinyl was released in 1979 in a number of 1000 copies and consists of real innovative compositions, all created by the guitarist Wolfgang Rittner. They all convince by fine guitar leads, some of them, like the title-song "Doomsday" are real ear candy; psychedelic hard rock with a weird gloomy spacey edge to it and production that almost sounds like late 60s. Lots of long jamming parts and a few instrumentals. The bonus track is a cover version of UFO's godlike "Flying" song from their second album. (BUY IT!)

Prom - Fooled Again (Germany 1978)

"Recorded with the simplest of means, the attraction of "Fooled again" for the collector is its rarity. According to the delivery note, only 78 LPs were produced at the time. Because of its rarity, it was not until 1999 that the record appeared in collectors’ circles and was soon to be traded, if it was offered at all, for about US$1000. Although the LP was recorded in the late stages of progressive rock, it shows all the characteristics of this music, featuring an excellent guitarist. Unfortunately, the sound leaves a lot to be desired, even if it was taken from an admittedly scarce master tape. The LP was released at the time on the small New Blood label, known because of groups like Dorian Gray or Rockport."

"First re-pressing of obscure German hardrock band whose only album was released in 78 copies in 1978. Their music is rough and dirty sounding hardrock with a cellar sound. In the vein of P 205 or maybe a more hardrockish German Oak."

***

Leo - s/t (1997)

Here's a record I know almost nothing about. From what I gathered on the web, Leo is band from Germany on Nasoni records, who play chugging, 70's inspired hard rock. From nasoni-records.com: "Heavy vinyl, paste-on sleeve, 2 inserts, hand-numbered 500 copies ltd. Debut album by another great band from our hometown. SOLD OUT." This is really great shit.

***

Hand of Doom - Poisonoise (Germany 1979)

"I guess it's the name of the band and album that raises such an interest. So, is it Doom then, you might ask? No, it isn't. But is it heavy? HELL YES it is! It may be older than most other records reviewed here, but I would say it still belongs since it was one of the rawest, hardest Heavy Rock records of it's time with a truly groundbreaking sound; a true "Roots Of Metal" item! It may have been recorded in the 70's, but I'll be damned to life as a Depeche Mode-groupie if you'll find any Purp's/Zep's/Sab's vibes in their music. No, Hand of Doom lies closer to the raw, crushing sound of 1980 BRATS, SARCOFAGUS (1st), CRYSYS, early MOTÖRHEAD and the hardest of the earliest NWOBHM 7"s. There can't be a NWOBHM-fan alive who could resist the riffing, rhythms and lyrics of "There Ain't No Running Away". Total Heavy Metal balls! "They who'll creep at night" follows, and with it a fistful of great heavy guitars, but if I had to pick a favorite track it would have to be the sonic bulldozer "Rock n' Roll Close To The End Of The World" - BRUTAL & primitive Hard Rock Metal aggression at it's finest! I'd say just about every song is a high-quality, high-energy monster of rock and heavy enough to please the most demanding metal head. If there's any particular 70's parts at all they can be traced to bands like THE STOOGES or MC5, but only on a few tracks and never quite that punky. "Doom Power" is a dead ringer for the THE STOOGES' "Raw Power", until the guitar break comes and suddenly they're in early MAIDEN-land. The only song which really stand out is the closing "The Light Of The Blind", which is more of a moody 60's/psyche thing, but still good. The bands strongest asset and the thing that gives them that extra brutal edge is the vocals of Andreas Rössner. Man, this guy is really pissed! I can't remember when I heard a singer sounding so angry on a Hard Rock record. Kinda what you'd expect when looking at the band picture on the front. Mean, shit-kicking bikers and juvenile delinquents the lot of them!(?) With only 500 copies made almost a quarter of a century ago and frequently on the want lists of both 70's and 80's HM/HR collectors, you have quite a task before you, trying to locate a copy. Let's hope for a respectful and well done re-issue real soon. (review by thecorroseum.com)

link

Light of Darkness (Germany 1971)

allmusic:

"The little-known Scottish band Light of Darkness consisted of Mike Reoch (bass, flute, piano, harmonica), Byron Grant (guitars, fiddle), John Latimer (vocals, piano, organ, percussion), and German drummer Manfred Bebert. They were based in Hamburg, Germany, and their only record was released by the German label Phillips in 1970. This self-titled debut album is in a kind-of progressive blues-rock style, highlighted by Latimer's odd voice and an energetic cover of Tony Joe White's "Soul Francisco." However, critics at that time dismissed the record as being directionless; the record-buying public ignored the LP and after a couple of concerts, Light of Darkness disbanded. Today, their only recording has become a minor cult classic and a collector's item. Unfortunately, the bandmembers disappeared and never recorded again. Before Light of Darkness, both Reoch and Grant had been in a band called Mike Reoch and the Tremors (together with Dennis Morrison and Don Stuart), and released an album called "Internationale Evergreens" on Elite Special in the 1960s." (buy it)

link

alt. link

Light of Darkness - Movin' Along

Chicken Bones - Hardrock in Concert (1975)

Cosmic Dreams at Play:

The title of Chicken Bones' album Hardrock In Concert (1976) says it all! There are six "very hard rocking tracks" included therein, performed in the good old tradition of the early seventies heavy progressive scene. Most of the album is instrumental, and offers Rainer Geuecke plenty of opportunities to reveal his musical skills. The two longest tracks are the highlights: "Water" with the whisper of the sea and some beautiful acoustic guitar and "Factory Girl" which was in a more typical hard rock vein. This album has an excellent and well-balanced sound for a private release. The recordings were done in only one week live in the studio - or more probably a barn! Only 300 copies were pressed, so the original is mega rare. Second Battle made and numbered 600 further copies in 1989 when they re-released the album in its original cover.

forcedexposure.com:

"Chicken Bones come from Bönen, Germany and did release its only album in 1976. Although it's called Hardrock in Concert it's neither live nor hard-rock; it's just wonderful sensitive guitar-based prog-rock! The LP contains all own compositions, which all very well done; some of them, like the long track 'Factory Girl' are outstanding! The original LP is completely vanished here in Germany; nothing can be found! So this official reissue will help all friends of Chicken Bones to archive a reissue, now. 180 gram vinyl, and two inserts. Limited to 500 copies." (buy it)

http://lix.in/1fdd0f

Chicken Bones - Feeling

Jeronimo - Cosmic Blues (1970); S/T (1971)

jeronimo-music.de:

JERONIMO was founded in 1969 and in '69/'70 they had their first two hits "HE YA" and "NA NA HEY HEY". With these two chartbreakers, JERONIMO climbed to the number 1 position in almost all European countries.

In 1970 JERONIMO and STEPPENWOLF toured successfully through Germany and in the same year JERONIMO partook in the legendary "Progressive Pop Festival" in Cologne. Following that, JERONIMO shared the headlines with such groups as DEEP PURPLE and GOLDEN EARRING at various European open-air festivals.

In 1971, JERONIMO'S biggest stage-performance was in Lausanne for "UNICEF" and was televised worldwide.

JERONIMO could be seen in numerous European television shows and in Germany they were on "HITS A GOGO", "BEATCLUB" and "BANANAS".

In 1970, JERONIMO, together with CREEDENCE CLEARWATER, presented the album "SPIRIT ORGASZMUS", which was a success throughout all of Europe.

After 30 years and millions of records sold worldwide, JERONIMO is still cult. In 1999/2000, their hits "NA NA HEY HEY" and “HE YA" were re-released on numerous hit-compilations.

Freakemporium:

Jeronimo - S/T: Killer German heavy acid rock from 1971. English vocals and cosmic guitar for fans of Cream, Gun, Blue Cheer, etc. guaranteed to blow your hair off. This is the bands rarest album! (buy it)

Cosmic Blues: http://lix.in/5ac7b1

S/T: http://lix.in/23455a

Jeronimo - No No No (Cosmic Blues)


Jeronimo - How I'd Love To Be Home (S/T)

Colour Haze (2004)

wikipedia:
"Formed in the mid-nineties, Colour Haze is one of the oldest German stoner outfits, and have since then become one of the flagships of the German stoner rock scene. Since 1999 the lineup has been stable, with Stefan Koglek playing guitar and handling vocals, Manfred Merwald on drums and Philipp Rasthofer playing bass-guitar. Emerging from a sound heavily influenced by Black Sabbath on their first records, they shifted to a more improvised, jam-based sound, culminating in songs topping twenty minutes on the self-titled Colour Haze (2004)."

FreakEmporium:
"Latest and (in our humble opinion) greatest album by the psychedelic/Kraut rock/stoner giants from Germany. Seven tracks in total spanning some 60 minutes of 'heavy' psychedelic rock. Highlighting in the 22 minute psychedelic jam called "Peace, Brothers & Sisters", featuring some furious guitarwork, drenched in acid, wahwah and space sounds throughout. Also available in ltd edition pop up gatefold heavy weight vinyl. A must have for fans of Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, Hendrix, Can, King Crimson and Kyuss." link in comments

Colour Haze - Did Ĕl It