MYTHOS

Among the finest Kraut-Rock bands of the 70's, Berlin-based Mythos were established in 1969 by the trio of multi-instrumentalist/singer Stephan Kaske, bassist Harald Weisse and drummer Thomas Hildebrand.A huge amount of gigs would follow but 1971 was definitely The Year for Mythos as they played in the legendary Langelsheim Festival (nicknamed The German Woodstock) and were soon signed by Ohr Label.The next year their self-titled debut sees the light.

The album kicks off with the delicate short Symphonic Rock instrumental ''Mythoett'', based on Kaske's excellent flute work and not being far from the sound of JETHRO TULL around the time.What follows is a great unique experience entitled ''Oriental journey'', a weird but very personal combination of Kraut and Ethnic music with sitar, haunting distorted vocals, trippy flutes, and cosmic synths.A great piece of music.''Hero's Death'' is another beautiful experience of Hard/Kraut-Rock with a poweful rhythm section, the cosmic atmosphere is again present, but what actually leads the track is the dynamic electric guitars of Kaske along with his flutes and mellotron.The entire flipside of the original LP is dedicated to the 17- min. two-part epic ''Encyclopedia Terrae''.After a slow start comes this high-class electric riffing and pounding rhythm section, which can blow anybody's mind with its masterful inspiration to lead through effects to the second part of the composition, where a soft instrumental section with dreamy organ and smooth guitar playing builds into a dramatic finale with electric solo and great mellotron, eventually closed by Kaske's narration about a man and his desperate, hopeless need of living in peace (just read these beautiful lyrics) with synths on the background.What a brilliant inspiration!

Mythos debut is actually what true Kraut-Rock is all about.Weird but inspiring, cosmic but delicate, hard but also smooth musicianship of the highest level.The best Kraut-Rock release ever?Possibly.A milestone in both Kraut- and Progressive Rock music, which comes extremely highly recommended...4.5 stars upgraded to the maximum rating.