STERN MEISSEN - REISE ZUM MITTELPUNKT DES MENSCHEN

This album was the last proper prog album for the band in their early career even though it is the first album with the name shortened to "Stern Meissen". After this album, the band changed their musical direction and became more pop oriented, more so when Reinhard Fissler and Michael Behm left the group after the album "Stundenschlag" (Hour Strike). This is also their only other concept album thus far, the other one being "Weißes Gold" (White Gold) from 1978.

This album is extremely keyboard based, no guitar whatsoever, to me though that does not make this album any less brilliant. Thomas Kurzhals played a huge role in shaping the band's music in their early years and you can definitely hear that on this album. A brilliant showcase of Kurzhals not only as a keyboardist and pianist, but also as a composer. Very symphonic, great arrangements, great keyboard techniques and effects. Hugely experimental. All that combined with Reinhard Fissler's modest vocals is what makes this album what it is.