Psychedelic Rock from Germany You Need to Hear
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Looking for some new psychedelic rock music to check out? Then you need to check out these bands from Germany that are guaranteed to get you grooving!
The Psychedelic Sound of Germany
Psychedelic rock from Germany is some of the best in the world. If you’re a fan of psychedelia, then you need to check out these German bands. They’re guaranteed to trip you out!
The Sound of Psychedelic Rock
Germany has a rich history of psychedelic rock, spanning the 1960s and beyond. Here are some of the most important bands and records from this heady, mind-bending genre.
The Sound of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s, characterized by trippy, mind-expanding sounds and themes. German bands were at the forefront of this musical movement, helping to shape its cosmic, otherworldly sound.
Amon Düül II
Amon Düül II were one of the most important and influential krautrock bands. Formed in 1967, they were known for their open-ended, improvisational jams, as well as their use of unconventional instruments like sitars and penny whistles. They released their debut album Phallus Dei in 1969, followed by the classic albums Yeti (1970) and Tanz der Lemminge (1971). Other essential Amon Düül II albums include Inferno (1972) and Hijack (1973).
Can
Can were another groundbreaking krautrock band, formed in 1968 by former jazz musicians Holger Czukay (bass), Irmin Schmidt (keyboards), Michael Karoli (guitar) and Jaki Liebezeit (drums). Can are often credited with inventing the “motorik” beat – a hypnotic, propulsive groove that became a hallmark of krautrock. They released their debut album Monster Movie in 1969, followed by Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyasi (1972) and Future Days (1973). Other essential Can albums include Unlimited Edition (1974), Landed (1975) and Flow Motion (1976).
Neu!
Neu! were a krautrock band formed by former Kraftwerk members Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother. They were known for their pioneering use of minimalism, repetition and noise in rock music. They released their self-titled debut album in 1972, followed by Neu! 2 in 1973. Other essential Neu! albums include 75 (“Grönland”) and Neu! 4 (“Geheim”).
Faust
Faust were a experimental rock band formed in Wümme in 1971. They were known for their avant-garde approach to music, as well as their pioneering use of found sounds and taped samples. They released their self-titled debut album in 1971, followed by The Faust Tapes (“Gramm”) in 1973. Other essential Faust albums include So Far (“Virgin”), Outside The Dream Syndicate (“Caroline”) and Faust IV (“Rykodisc”).
The Birth of Psychedelic Rock
In the mid-1960s, a new type of music was born that would come to be known as psychedelic rock. This genre of music was characterized by its use of mind-altering substances, such as LSD, and its focus on creating an altered state of consciousness. Psychedelic rock was also heavily influenced by Eastern mystical traditions and sought to create a sonic landscape that would take the listener on a journey to another realm.
The first psychedelic rock band to emerge from Germany was Amon Düül II, who released their debut album Psychedelic Underground in 1967. This album would go on to influence many other German bands who would come to adopt the psychedelic sound, such as Ash Ra Tempel and Guru Guru. Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, German psychedelic rock bands began to experiment with longer song structures and more complex arrangements, resulting in some truly mind-bending sonic creations.
If you’re looking to explore the world of German psychedelic rock, then look no further than this list of essential albums. These are the albums that defined the genre and made Germany one of the hotbeds of psychedelia in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Psychedelic Scene in Germany
Germany is well-known for its electronic music, but what about its psychedelic music scene? Psychedelic music is a genre that often gets overlook. This type of music often has experimental, mind-altering sounds. German bands such as James Holden, The Growlers, and Tame Impala are just a few examples of psychedelic music.
The Psychedelic Scene Today
The psychedelic scene in Germany is alive and well, with a wide variety of bands and artists exploring the genre. From more traditional psychedelic rock to more experimental and electronic-influenced sounds, there’s something for everyone in the German psychedelic scene.
If you’re looking for some new psychedelic music to check out, here are a few of the most promising bands and artists from Germany today:
The Cosmic Dead – This Scottish-German band blends traditional psychedelia with space rock, resulting in an expansive and cosmic sound. Their latest album, “Intergalactic Acid Freakout Orgasm”, is a perfect example of their unique style.
Electric Moon – This band takes a more experimental approach to psychedelia, incorporating elements of krautrock, space rock, and ambient music. They have a wide-ranging discography that is definitely worth exploring.
Hypnodrone Ensemble – This Berlin-based band is one of the most interesting prospects in the German psychedelic scene today. Their latest album, “The Undulating Band”, is a mind-bending exploration of rhythmic noise and hypnotic soundscapes.
The Future of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock from Germany has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, with a new wave of bands bringing the genre to a whole new audience. This fresh take on psychedelic rock is combining elements of classic psychedelia with modern influences, resulting in a sound that is both familiar and new.
With the success of bands like The Raveonettes and Tame Impala, it’s no surprise that psychedelic rock is once again on the rise. And Germany is leading the charge, with a new generation of bands that are taking the sound in exciting new directions. Here are just a few of the German psychedelic bands that you need to know about.
The Green Future:
The Green Future are one of the most promising young bands on the German psychedelia scene. Their debut album “Endless quest for The Green Future” was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, and it’s easy to see why. The album is an intoxicating mix of classic psychedelia and modern pop sensibility, with catchy melodies and trippy soundscapes that will stay with you long after the last track has ended.
The Holydrug Couple:
The Holydrug Couple are another band that are helping to revive interest in psychedelic rock. Their 2013 album “Noctuary” was hailed as one of the best psych albums in recent years, and their live shows are an unforgettable experience. With their combination of vintage sounds and contemporary attitude, The Holydrug Couple are sure to win over even the most skeptical listener.
Yum Yum Kautschuk:
Yum Yum Kautschuk may be relative newcomers to the scene, but they’re already making waves with their unique brand of psychedelic pop. Their music is playful and youthful, yet still possesses an underlying darkness that gives it an edge. It’s this combination of light and dark that makes Yum Yum Kautschuk so captivating, and they’re definitely a band to watch out for in the future.
German Psychedelic Bands
If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, you might not know that some of the best bands are actually from Germany. These German bands have been influenced by bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd and have created their own psychedelic sound. Here are some of the best German psychedelic bands you need to check out.
The Cosmic Dropouts
This German psychedelic band is fronted by the husband and wife team of Stefan and Alexandra Kuehn. They have been making music together since 2010, and released their first album in 2012. Their sound is a mix of 60s psychedelic rock and 80s new wave, with a touch of German folk music. They have a strong following in their home country, and have toured Europe extensively.
The Electric Moon
The Electric Moon is a German psychedelic rock band from Stuttgart, formed in 2007. The band is known for its heavy, distorted sound and spacey, hypnotic live shows.
The Electric Moon released their debut album, The Infinite Garbage Plate, in 2009. The album was followed by a string of well-received live shows and festival appearances, including a performance at the Roadburn Festival in 2010.
In 2012, the band released their second album, Inferno, which was once again met with critical acclaim. The album saw the band exploring a more progressive and experimental sound, and included guest appearances from musicians such as Ketelbey (of Acid Mothers Temple fame) and Manuel Gottsching (of Ash Ra Tempel).
The Electric Moon have since released two more studio albums, Stardust Rituals (2014) and Flaming Lake (2017), both of which have been widely praised by fans and critics alike.
The Sonic Dawn
Formed in Copenhagen in 2013, The Sonic Dawn have been hailed as one of the most exciting new psychedelic bands to emerge in recent years. Blending 60s acid rock, 70s prog and 80s new wave with a contemporary pop sensibility, the band have crafted a sound that is both retro and modern, familiar and yet uniquely their own.
The Sonic Dawn’s self-titled debut album was released to critical acclaim in 2016, with AllMusic praising the band for their “infectious energy and infectious hooks”. The follow-up, Eclipse, was released in 2018 and saw the band expanding their sound even further, with Prog magazine describing it as “an ambitious and accomplished work”.
