Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

NECRONOMICON

Krautrock • Germany


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Necronomicon picture
Necronomicon biography
Founded in Aachen, Germany in 1970 - Disbanded in 1981 - Reformed in 2010

Necronomicon were founded in Aachen, West Germany, near the Belgium and Netherlands border, by Norbert Breuer, Harald and Walter Sturm, later recruiting Fistus Dickmann and bassist Detlev Hakenbeck. In February 1972, Hakenbeck was replaced by Bernhard Hocks, and a legend was born.

In late 1972, after recording their album, Necronomicon went through some lineup changes; Sturm quit to join Rufus Zuphall, while Dieter Ose replaced Dickmann on organ and keyboards, and Gerd Libber replaced Hocks on bass. Throughout 1973 they worked on new material, and some of their compositions at this time were nearly an hour long, and almost impossible to play live, and the band found themselves having to edited them down to a length of 10 to 15 minutes.

In 1974, Sturm returned to the band, and the group recorded a demo cassette live in their living room. The group may have existed as late as 1981 though no other recordings were made.

In 1990 the Little Wing of Refugees label released the 4-record set Vier Kapitel that included Tips Zum Selbstmord, two records worth of live material from the early days in 1971, including a demo performance at the Mensa, Aachen - and 45-minutes from the 1974 cassette - the only surviving source. Little Wing eventually released Tips Zum Selbstmord by itself on CD in 1996 with a generic cover.

The name Necronomicon came from the infamous novel by H.P. Lovecraft, who was also responsible for works such as The Call of Cthulu, which inspired Metallica to write a song of the same name. The Necronomicon, or Book of the Dead, is an inspired works of occult fiction, mainly based on real ancient sources, that many Lovecraft fans claim is non-fictional. There is to this day a shroud of mystery and dark aura around this book, which claims to describe all the kinds of horror on earth.

The music of Necronomicon, then, is in the same vein - in a similar style to Grobschnitt or Amon Düül II with the heaviness of Uriah Heep and the Political awareness of Floh De Cologne. It reflects the nightmarish Hieronymos Bosch-style cover art of their one and only album, created by Bernhard Hocks, and the apocalyptical visions presented in the lyrics.

The subject-matter of the lyrics, whilst presented in an apocalyptical fashion is derived from the title "Tips Zum Selbstmord" (How To Commit Suicide). Rather than being some kind of angst-driven prat...
read more

NECRONOMICON Videos (YouTube and more)


Showing only random 3 | Search and add more videos to NECRONOMICON

Buy NECRONOMICON Music


NECRONOMICON discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

NECRONOMICON top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.77 | 66 ratings
Tips Zum Selbstmord
1972
3.09 | 4 ratings
Haifische
2012
3.44 | 9 ratings
Verwundete Stadt
2017

NECRONOMICON Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.67 | 3 ratings
Live In Concert 1973
2016

NECRONOMICON Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

NECRONOMICON Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.57 | 8 ratings
Strange Dreams
1976
3.33 | 3 ratings
Vier Kapitel
1990

NECRONOMICON Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

NECRONOMICON Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Haifische by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 2012
3.09 | 4 ratings

BUY
Haifische
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

3 stars Maybe one can say that NECRONOMICON belongs to those bands who have survived the glorious 1970s Krautrock era. They had released their highly appraised album 'Tips Zum Selbstmord' in 1972, but dissolved two years later, or at least they went on a very long hiatus, somebody may throw in. But then founding members Walter Sturm and Norbert Breuer, as well as drummer Harald Bernhard came together again in 2010, aiming to celebrate a little renaissance. This resulted in a reunion concert two years later, which also was the starting shot for the release of the new album 'Haifische'. Apart from the better sound quality this does not significantly differ to their debut. What they deliver here is sorta generous mix of music styles once again.

Due to a distinct presence of the organ there is a proper symphonic touch to state, but psychedelic, folk, as well as blues elements are incorporated too. The strong German twist comes from the lyrics of course, time-sensitive, they are up to date for sure. Track titles are in native language too, hence this is authentic NECRONOMICON stuff, yeah! You still can file this under the Krautrock term. Anyway, the most important aspect, they certainly are providing rather pure progressive rock music. Complex compositions, just considering the multi-varianted Wiegenlied, which is my album highlight. And fine instrumental impact here, this is definitely appealing. 3.5 stars.

 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by siLLy puPPy
Special Collaborator PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic

4 stars While some early Krautrock bands were aiming for tripper's paradise and seeking the ultimate escapism to a distant destination far removed from the trials and tribulations of 20th century Earth, others opted to embrace the tortuous pain and expel the rage through a heavy rock form of progressive rock that cast the vitriol out as pure acceptance of the doom and gloom that was plaguing the fast-paced society of the 1960s that had just ceded into the 1970s. NECRONOMICON which took its name form the H.P. Lovecraft novel was the epitome of taking the tripped out kosmische world of Krautrock into a heavier garage rock, even proto-punk style fueled by despair and dismay.

This band emerged from the city of Aachen perched next to both the Dutch and Belgian borders and was formed in 1970 by Walter Sturm (guitar, vocals), Norbert Breuer (guitar, vocals), Gerd Libber (bass), Harald Bernhard (drums) and Fistus Dickmann (organ, synthesizer, vocals). Although the band stuck it out to 1981 albeit with a rotating lineup, NECRONOMICON only managed to release one sole album titled TIPS ZUM SELBSTMORD which lugubriously translates as "Tips For Suicide." Laced with heavy downer guitar riffing, stone cold vocal angst and eerie droning frosted over exquisite bass grooves, punk fueled guitar heft and bluesy solos, NECRONOMICON took the newfound nihilism of bands like Black Sabbath and added the more appropriate Krautish accoutrements with folky interludes and heavy psych organ runs.

With lyrics exclusively in German, it may be impossible to tell for non-speakers but this band was all about getting real with lyrics that ranged from ecological degradation to nuclear disasters. The album title is a dead giveaway that rather than drifting off into la-la land that this band was more interested in looking the atrocities of the world dead on and releasing the pent up rage in bouts of guitar-fueled heft with all kinds of extra touches including Bach inspired organ majesty, unpredictable tempo and mood changes and a sense of melancholy more common in modern day metal genre such as funeral doom or depressive black metal. In addition to the rich array of instrumental sounds, the band displayed a clever mix of angsty hard rock vocals mixed with eerie and spooky wordless vocals that evoked the haunting of the death and destruction which symbolized the global destruction that was becoming all too familiar.

This confrontational stylistic approach makes TIPS ZUM SELBSTMORD one of the most unique albums to emerge in the entire Krautrock scene and with an original pressing of only 500 copies has also become one of the most sought after gems in the collector's underground. Luckily the album has been reissued on numerous occasion with the most obtainable on the 2004 edition from Garden of Delights which features a whopping four unreleased bonus tracks that nearly double the album running time. The dynamics of the album are perfectly paced as punk fueled garage rock gives way to lush pastoral folk and keyboard dueling yields to sizzling guitar solos and forward thinking 80s style keyboard electronica. Add to that nice flowing songs that give way to frenzied time signature freak outs. The lead vocalist often sounds like the German version of David Bowie just to give a comparison.

While the album cover art may seem a little hokey and primitive, the music contained within is anything but. This is some seriously well-thought out Krautrock that nurtures hook laden melodies and then dresses it all up with punk-fueled angst and depressive organ-drenched despair. The compositions are quite sophisticated with intricate changes that never feel forced and how the band managed to squeeze in all the stylistic shifts is a testament to the band's creative genius. This is an excellent little obscurity and should be on top of Krautrock lists far and wide but like many underground gems, still remains unknown to the masses. I love everything about this album however there are moments when the vocals are a bit goofy especially when dude suddenly breaks into falsetto (think King Diamond) and reaching the high notes. Luckily this is rare and the strengths of the album far outnumber any minor gripes. TIPS ZUM SELBSTMORD is just shy of making a perfect masterpiece.

4.5 rounded down

 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by Progfan97402
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Looks like HP Lovecraft inspired many rock musicians. There's the 1960s Chicago psych band called HP Lovecraft, and then there's this German group naming themselves after a magical tome that appears in Lovecraft's stories. I guess when it comes for obscurities and rarities, Necronomicon is right up there, as only 500 copies of the original LP were pressed. This album came out in 1972 with a gimmick fold out cover that folds out into a cross. The album titles apparently translates as "How to commit suicide", but in this regards how to commit suicide is to destroy the environment, which this album apparently addresses, but since they sing in German, it's hard for me to know what they're singing about. They're not the only German band to address environmental destruction, Pell Mell did on "City Monster" off their 1972 debut Marburg, and Ikarus also addressed similar matters on their sole 1971 album on the opening cut "Eclipse", albeit with pretty embarrassingly poorly written lyrics). Funny how this subject matter is still a huge concern, and perhaps even more so now than in 1972. This album is really heavy psych, a lot of it still having a '60s vibe, despite the 1972 date, but perhaps a bit too heavy to actually come out of the '60s. There are some really heavy proto-metal guitar riffs, so if you like proto-metal this album also comes recommended. When it comes for heavy psych, this album really doesn't let up, although there are some calmer moments, most of this just simply rocks like there's no tomorrow. There are lots of obscurities that should stay that way. Not Necronomicon. I bet you this band would have stood a better chance had the '60s sound was dropped, as pretty much most bands had, by this time. While most people might not want to fork out the four digit prices the originals are commanding (and careful: counterfeits are floating around), it's that kind of heavy psych album that's really worthy of your attention!
 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by octopus-4
Special Collaborator RIO/Avant/Zeuhl,Neo & Post/Math Teams

4 stars In general I'm attracted by any reference to H.P. Lovecraft who is one of my favorite writers. Unfortunately I still have to find a band able to reproduce the dark evilish mood of his novel, with the exception of the Arzachel's Azatoth.

So forget HPL, I think the lyrics are about his horrors and nightmares, but the music is "just" heavy psychedelic.

So, ignoring "the book of the names of the deads" and the fool Alhazred what remains is excellent psychedelia with more than a hint of hard rock, closer to Uriah Heep or Deep Purple than to Pink Floyd.

"Prologue" starts with the singer making what seems to be a parody of "Hocus Pocus" then it's quickly transformed into a very acid jam full of guitars and organ. The sudden end is an unusual way to close a track of this kind.

"Requiem Den Natur" is opened by a dark psychedelic noise, like Tangerine Dreasm of the Pink Period, but unexpectedly when the noise stops we have a quiet acoustic guitar harping and very sweet and melodic singing, even if still very psychedelic. We are in 1972, but this song seems to come from 4 or 5 years before. The low-pitched choir in the middle should sound weird, but fails in being horrorific. Lovecraft wouldn't have been sad for the death of Mother Nature. A great track, Nobody pretends that the music fits with the band's name. The second half of the song is heavy blues with the guitar solo a bit too "jammed". Not all he notes are at the right place.

"Tips Zum Selbstmord" is even more acid. It's like the Doors have taken Amphetamines instead of the usual stuff. A heavy blues with acid guitar and percussive bass played very fast. It sounds more American than German. Then when the rhythm calms down we are back in a world made of hard rock. The only very Kraut thing is the vocalist. Another sudden stop.

The acoustic intro of "Die Stadt" with the guitar a little untuned is the most Krautrock moment. It reminds to Amon Duul II before turning into hard rock but with a strong krautrok flavor thank to the lead vocalist while the "aaahhh" accents seem typical Uriah Heep stuff. Good hard rock with the bass leading while guitar and keyboards jam. The final return to the initial theme closes the jam in a regular way.

"In Memoriam" Is bluesy. A mixture of Cream and Can. Again it's more psychedelic than horrorific. What is remarkable on this track is the keyboard's background. In the more relaxed moments is quite similar to the mentioned Arzachel's Azatoth. I'm nit German speaking but I have the impression from few words catched that the lyrics are a sort of elegy for H.P. Lovecraft (or maybe for the whole world?). Please somebody correct me from wrong (also because I don't know what the percentages mean in the spoken part).

The final "Requiem fur ende" starts with a Uriah Heep like choir but is more acid oriented. Fans of Hendirx or in general of the acid rock of the late 60s will surely enjoy it, including when they calm down and become very dark and floydian. For a while I've thought to Electric Prunes' Kyrie Eleison. It's a psychedelic crescendo that leads to the third section of the song that's again rminding of Amon Duul II. Here there's a good bass solo. If I'm not wrong there's a bit of chorus and distorsion together on the bass. When the keyboard join the bass over obsessive percussions we have finally a bit of Lovecraft's mood, then a rock final closes the track and the album.

It's good. It's krautrock and it's the only album released by this band, so 4 stars.

 Strange Dreams by NECRONOMICON album cover Boxset/Compilation, 1976
2.57 | 8 ratings

BUY
Strange Dreams
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

2 stars Well I thoroughly enjoyed their sole studio album so I thought i'd check out this complialation album of unreleased and live tracks. I guess I was hoping for something as good as what OUT OF FOCUS released posthumously, but this isn't even close. Sadly the sound quality for most of these tracks is poor at best.The vocals are often just as bad as the sound quality.To be honest these songs were never mean't to be released and it shows.

The final three live tunes are the best of the lot. My favourite thing about this album is the bass work. It's very prominant and fat.The organ is ever-present and the guitar can be outstanding.The song "Knocker" is my favourite of the non-live tracks. I love when they jam on this one.

At over 79 minutes this was a tough one to get through. Fans or collectors might be interested, others would do well to take a pass and check out their studio album.

 Strange Dreams by NECRONOMICON album cover Boxset/Compilation, 1976
2.57 | 8 ratings

BUY
Strange Dreams
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by DamoXt7942
Forum & Site Admin Group Avant/Cross/Neo/Post Teams

3 stars Honestly always feel it's very difficult to discuss Krautrock, and listening to this rare compilation album could make me more confused. This album 'Strange Dreams' contains unreleased tracks recorded at their rehearsals and upon a gig in Herzogenrath near Aachen in 1976 (later released via a German independent label Garden Of Delights), and their musical style including the stuffs here might be closer to heavy / psychedelic progressive ensemble (keyboard, guitar, bass, drums-based) than Krautrock one in my humble opinion. Indeed Fistus' inorganic and quirky organ sounds might influence much upon younger Krautrock outfits I guess (right?). Through the whole album, recording quality or sounds are not good (sometimes sounds are warped and interrupted) but this bad recording (or preservation of tapes) condition can notify us some Kraut-ish atmosphere cynically. There are lots of important points to listen to - the first three tracks Get The Feeling ~ Knocker ~ Motorcycle are exactly very typical heavily psychedelic guitar-based progressive rock examples. Morning is an organ-based laid-back psychedelic song reminding us Procol Harum. The title track Strange Dreams sounds heavy rock one with free jazzy essence in the middle part. And my masterpiece - The Donkey always make me weep ... slow-tempo, depressive but dramatic and aggressive organ-based psychedelic progressive. Without my intention this song let me push the "reverse" button on my CD player. Little Man, the last song in this album recorded at some rehearsals, is very flexible jazz rock / fusion with much psychedelic bitter sweet. The last three songs recorded on a gig are more poppy for me but I can feel good air NECRONOMICON and the audience should be well united.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend this album as a essential masterpiece of Krautrock. However, it's a very interesting work I wanna say. At least for me, it's very fantastic!

 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by UMUR
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars "Tips Zum Selbstmord" ("Tips to commit Suicide" or "How to commit suicide") is the debut full-length studio album by German rock act Necronomicon. The album was released through the Best Prehodi label in 1972 (the band´s own label). While a band name like Necronomicon immediately makes me think of the occult, and an album title like "Tips Zum Selbstmord" further enhances the expectation of finding something dark and sombre on the album, "Tips Zum Selbstmord" is actually an album featuring politically aware German language lyrics describing the destruction of our planet through pollution and greed, and not lyrics with subjects like suicide and the occult. That´s of course also a heavy subject matter.

Stylistically the music on the album is in a heavy progressive/psychadelic rock style. Heavy guitars, long improvised blues rock guitar solos, a hard pounding rhythm section, and organ (played by a guy with the odd name of Fistus Dickmann). There´s often a loose jam like feeling to the tracks, although the compositions also feature more structured parts. The male vocals are relatively subdued and sparse. When they are featured more prominently like they are on the title track, they really shouldn´t have been, as they are arguably the weakest link of the chain. Occassionally the music features male/female choir parts giving the music an epic atmosphere.

"Tips Zum Selbstmord" features an organic, powerful, and well sounding production job, which suits the music well, so upon conclusion Necronomicon have produced a decent quality debut album. The vocals aren´t that great, but the instrumental jam like sections are pretty rewarding. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.

 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by Vibrationbaby

3 stars More of a novelty item than anything else this one off from German cult band NECRONOMICON which in it`s original form features a cover that folds out into a crucifix, commands ludicrous sums of money in collector`s circles who go absolutely Ga Ga over it, even in it`s many boot-legged editions. The intricate freaked out cover artwork by the band`s drummer is even worthy of it`s own separate review! In English the title translates roughly to, how to commit suicide, although this is meant in a figurative way, dealing with the dark topic of how man has managed to screw up just about everything on the planet from the environment to stockpiling nuclear weaponry. This Black Sabbath meets Floh de Cologne rave up is something even the hippies will run away from and can even make some present day death metal bands look like a bunch of pansies with it`s straightforward black & white apocalyptic musings.

On first listen, especially for non-German speaking listeners, Tips Zum Selbsmord may come off as an acid trip gone horribly bad right from the hum drum vocals which explode into a non-stop unmitigated conflagaration. Sung entirely in the German language with interludes of occultish polyphonic monk-like incantations accompanied by scathing Tony Iommi-like guitar licks interfaced by portentous gothic church-like organ chording along with some folk elements if they can be detected amidst this sonic inferno, the likes of which hadn`t been heard since the 1945 bombing of Dresden, the album certainly hits the mark. Taking their name from a ficticious horror story which was featured in a number of H.P. Lovecraft`s novels in the 1920`s the band started out in 1970 playing Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep and Black Sabbath covers and felt that lyrics in the German language for their original compositions would better reflect their cynical messages of death, destruction and ultimate doom.

Unlike other bands who`s music announces the impending apocalypse at the hand of mankind there`s a certain atmosphere of sadness, meloncholy and despair here rather than outrage ( there`s even an acoustic interlude ) which sort of wins the listener over to their cause who dares to give it a second spin. However, for those who speak or understand the German language their plight of the world themes tend to get overblown, dated and wear thin by the time one arrives at the grand finale Requiem vom Ende. Lyrically they can be distantly compared to Slovenian avant garde industrial band Laibach as well as some material on the first Grobshnitt album.

Financed by a friend and recorded in a small studio using rudimentary recording techniques and featuring lots of effects a la Guru Guru UFO, the album holds up musically well against other kosmische bands such as early Amon Duul II, Xhol Caravan or Ash Ra Tempel. Obviously these guys didn`t care about musical virtuosity but more about using heavy music as a vehicle of their vigilance and awareness toward a world in decay. If Black Sabbath`s messages were about the coming of armaggedon then as far as these guys were concerned here all is lost and the work comes off as a soliloqy mourning the end of the world before it has even happened.

Although the original independent vinyl release of which only 500 copies were pressed, it is scarce and rarely offered for sale although it has been periodically released in various forms including a faithfully reproduced 2005 vinyl reissue, again limited to 500 units, but these even sold out like hotcakes. The Garden Of Delights CD release is the most readily available which comes with a booklet and reproductions of the psyched out artwork ( for some reason the technology no longer exists to reproduce the fold out crucifix ) and four bonus tracks.

Although definitely not agreable to everyone`s musical palette, anyone with even a passing interest in Krautrock will not want to pass over this rock liturgy which without a doubt has special status in the annals of the Krautrock movement of the early seventies.

 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars NECRONOMICON named themselves after a H.P.Lovecraft book mainly because the themes they were touching upon lyrically were much the same as those in that book. The title of this album according to the liner notes means "Some practical ways on how to commit suicide" and refers to what mankind is doing to the planet by exploiting and destroying it. The vocals are sung in German, and like the music they are not pleasant. The music does have that heavy garage rock sound, very raw with those violent guitar leads.

"Prolog" opens with someone humming and laughing and carrying on. Suddenly the raw guitar comes in mimicking a line he just sang. Nice. Dirty, grungy guitar melodies follow. I'm thinking Iommi 2 1/2 minutes in as he lays down some heavy licks. At one point i'm saying to myself "So that's where Eddie(VanHalen) got that lick from". Organ joins the fray 3 1/2 minutes in. Vocals come in as the drums crash and the guitar cranks out the blistering leads. I'm in heaven man. Check out the bass 6 1/2 minutes in as organ rips it up and the guitar is on fire. "Requiem Der Natur" has a spacey, haunting intro. Gentle guitar replaces it after a minute. Reserved vocals,bass and organ join in this pastoral soundscape. Drums and electric guitar after 3 minutes start to build powerfully. Vocal melodies join in. Nice. A change before 5 minutes as bass, drums and raw guitar takes over. Organ a minute later. They seem to be just jamming here. Check out the bass as drums pound after 7 minutes. Guitar is back 8 1/2 minutes in, but it's the vocal melodies that follow that really dominate. Very cool sounding as drums and guitar fight to be heard. Guitar is ripping it up ! What an ending !

"Tips Zum Selbstmord" opens with powerful guitar leads as the drums come in. What a fantastic melody as vocals come in almost screaming. He's singing now but it's brief. Then the drums pound as the guitar tears it up. A change in tempo 3 1/2 minutes in, then it really picks up speed 4 minutes in with vocal melodies then vocals. Organ joins in. "Die Stadt" opens gently with fragile vocals and quiet guitar. Spoken words as well. The song kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes as he spits out the lyrics and SABBATH-like heaviness comes in. Great guitar 2 1/2 minutes in as bass throbs. Heavy guitar 3 minutes in changes as the tempo picks up as the guitarist then lights it up. Excellent bass. It ends as it began. "In Memoriam" opens with more in your face guitar before it becomes mellow with reserved vocals. Nice contrasts throughout. Love the organ after a minute and later, even if it's down in the mix. He screams out after 5 minutes. "Requiem Vom Ende" opens with some great sounding guitar that is replaced by vocal melodies quickly and organ. Back to the guitar as drums pound. Vocals trade off with some wicked guitar over and over. A calm 2 1/2 minutes in with vocals. This is sinister sounding as it builds in intensity. Cool vocal melodies join in. Back to those incredible heavy guitar leads that trade off with vocals over and over again. Some fat bass lines before 6 minutes. Themes are repeated until we get a few good screams after 7 minutes as song comes to a close.

This is a monster if there ever was one. Dark, heavy and aggressive.These guys take no prisoners.

 Tips Zum Selbstmord by NECRONOMICON album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.77 | 66 ratings

BUY
Tips Zum Selbstmord
Necronomicon Krautrock

Review by Eetu Pellonpaa
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars This album offers some excellent moody and manic psychedelic heavy rock for a listener, who is not driven away by the challenging start of the record. The sound texture of this music reminds slightly the tones of very first Uriah Heep albums, having a lesser keyboard presence and more stinging acid rock guitar in style of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Also the end result is not as accessible as the songs from the referred bands. Compositions are built from strong riffs and the improvisations are done within these frames, so there's no full free jamming found from the album. The melodic themes are also often ran through with a very neurotic piety, boosting the lunatic overall feeling of the album, focusing on aggressive, dark, fuzzed out and moody areas of mind. There are some more quiet acoustic movements also included, but mostly the music runs with a menacing rock drive. I don't understand the lyrics very well as they are sung in German, but they are quite political, and I later learned they are about the nuclear arms race. The singing is not maybe the strongest link in this music, but it has a quite broad scale, as there are some very low vocals, some from standard pitch, some are spoken, some high pitched "fjord vocals" like Heep's vocals were described by some witty critic, and sometimes these join together to build large voice harmonies. If you like to hear hippies to "kill a guitar" in a good style, you are into darker music like Black Widow, and are also fond of continental European 1960's/1970's psychedelic rock style, this classic record might please you certainly. There's lot of enthusiasm in the music, but also some funny moments where the intended rhythms are nearly reached, but not totally, so an ability to overlook some technical mistakes is needed also to appreciate this music. For the vinyl fans there's a LP reissue by Little Wing label released in 1990's in the markets, as the original's price might make you need some "Tips Zum Selbstmord" after the purchase.
Thanks to Certif1ed for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.