FIRST KEY

Despite the changing of the times there are always those bands that refuse to move on when the rest of the world does and in the case of the German band AMOS KEY, this band cranked out a form of playing the classics symphonic prog that was best represented by the English band The Nice which was quite the rage in the late 60s. Despite the fact that AMOS KEY delivered a similar sound as late as 1974 on the band's first and only album titled FIRST KEY, the band did a pretty good job at nailing down the symphonically infused classical elements and adapted them nicely to heavier rock. Although this band wasn't the typical Krautrock band of the era, the band often appears on lists given the time and place from where it emerged.

This is one of those mysterious bands lost in the annals of history and buried beneath the mammoth pile of bands that were either more talented or successful but despite existing as a mere footnote in history, FIRST KEY is actually a very pleasant experience. This band consisted of Thomas Molin (keyboards, vocals), Andreas Gross (bass, guitar, vocals), and Lutz Ludwig (drums) and formed in the Bavarian city of Emmering. This power trio existed from 1970 to 1976 but only was able to release FIRST KEY therefore no second key would emerge until the year 2010. Just for a reference drummer Lutz Ludwig was a member of the psychedelic Kraut band Sub which is probably why this band is included on Krautrock lists despite not really sounding German at all.

FIRST KEY features nine short but sweet rocking the classics with only a couple tracks passing the five minute mark. This is very much a Bach, Beethoven and Schumann worshipping session as the band basically followed the rock aspects of the classical crossover Dutch band Ekseption which was a contemporary of The Nice, the better known. While mostly instrumental with the focus on classical organ runs over hefty guitar, bass and drums, the band crafted some interesting Deep Purple mimicry as the organ tones often emulate the great Jon Lord. This organ prog is feisty beast since despite the rather derivative nature of the music at hand which was about five years too late to the game, still exhibited a fiery passion from the members who were hell bent for leather to release an album as they swam upstream against the very different music scene of 1974.

While i would hardly deem FIRST KEY an essential prog pick by any means, the performances are indeed excellent as the musicianship is top notch and even the sparsely distributed vocals aren't that bad either. Somehow the band forged ahead through most of the 1970s but failed to release a second album. This is highly recommended for those who can't get enough of those rockin' the classics with Keith Emerson inspired keyboard flash in full display however unlike some of the cheesy examples of The Nice, AMOS KEY integrated the rock aspects into their sound perfectly. If this album HAD emerged five years earlier, AMOS KEY surely would've stood out as one of the most exciting early prog bands of the day because i personally actually like this album better than anything The Nice had done mostly because this one is totally consistent. A relic of history but one that is worthwhile for those digging deeper.

3.5 rounded down