Prog Polls - z.a.r.p.e.k. (O-Z) XVII

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z.a.r.p.e.k. (O-Z) XVII

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Topic: z.a.r.p.e.k. (O-Z) XVII

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Subject: z.a.r.p.e.k. (O-Z) XVII
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 17:36

Some more good picks. I'm probably going with Zao here.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Replies:

Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 17:42

another no brainer for me, Piper is very special to me.

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http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys

Posted By: Eria Tarka
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 17:47

I'd like to stop voting for Floyd... but c'mon Piper is a masterpiece, easily gets my vote.

Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 17:48

Out of the bottom six, disregarding TD(I was never Stratosfear's biggest fan), there's not an album I wouldn't vote for.

Love Meditation Mass, the serene hippie like feel of the thing with sheepheard flute and the works. Piper is piper, y know? Coma Divine is my fave from Porcupine, and then there's the chamber rocking weltschmerz of Heresie and the looney circus rock of Samla....

Yeah right, this is even harder than your last poll John

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“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

- Douglas Adams

Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 17:55

Heresieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I can imagine them whispering that out sinisterly just as typed there...not my favorite UZ album (those are earlier and later albums) but still just chock full, dripping and oozing some sort of dark atmosphere which I totally love in my prog a lot of the time. I'd love to hear that Present before voting, but that's not likely to happen, as I've already voted. Time manipulation is tricky. Meditation Mass and Samla could have gotten it as well, good choices here.

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http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">

Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 17:59

I'm going with Universal Totem Orchestra. I remember reviewing it when it came out and how pleasantly surprised I was. Maybe not the best Zeuhl out there, but at the time it was quite a beacon of light for Magma fans who had little hope of any new Zeuhl coming out.
.
Count me among the Piper fans too. Just got the 40th Anniv set with the mono mix. Love me some mono mixes. Stereo was still pretty clumsy in '67,

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My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 18:04

HolyMoly wrote:

Stereo was still pretty clumsy in '67,

I have a version of The Doors debut from the same year, and clumsy is probably a very apt word for the production. It's still a smoking album though...

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“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

- Douglas Adams

Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:05

hmm really? i've never had an issue with the mix on The Doors' s/t

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http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:38

bytor2112 wrote:

I'd like to stop voting for Floyd... but c'mon Piper is a masterpiece, easily gets my vote.

You and Sumdeus have good taste.

Not in my top five of favourite FLOYD albums but it's still cool to hear the beginnings of this band. Love Astronomy Domine and Intersteller Overdrive though. Killer tunes. I laughed at Producer Norman Smith's thoughts on working with Syd on the debut. "Working with Syd was pure hell and there are no pleasant memories". Norman had worked with The Beatles before being assigned to FLOYD and the fact Syd refused to play anything twice no matter how small the piece drove him crazy.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:39

Like others, i went with Piper. Syd Barrett's work in Floyd is sheer genius. Too bad he suffered from Schizophrenia-it ended up shattering his life. Ouch

(and the LDS didn't help things, either)

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:50

Guldbamsen wrote:

Out of the bottom six, disregarding TD(I was never Stratosfear's biggest fan), there's not an album I wouldn't vote for.

Love Meditation Mass, the serene hippie like feel of the thing with sheepheard flute and the works. Piper is piper, y know? Coma Divine is my fave from Porcupine, and then there's the chamber rocking weltschmerz of Heresie and the looney circus rock of Samla....

Yeah right, this is even harder than your last poll John

I hope you didn't get a brain cramp

but yeah i know what you mean. Love that trippy and meditative album by Yatha Sidhra. In the liner notes of my copy there is this picture of the Indian Wheel Of Life and on the page next to it some writing in German with Achim Reichel's name underneath. Wish i knew what he said. Achim of course is from A.R. & Machines.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:52

SaltyJon wrote:

Heresieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I can imagine them whispering that out sinisterly just as typed there...not my favorite UZ album (those are earlier and later albums) but still just chock full, dripping and oozing some sort of dark atmosphere which I totally love in my prog a lot of the time. I'd love to hear that Present before voting, but that's not likely to happen, as I've already voted. Time manipulation is tricky. Meditation Mass and Samla could have gotten it as well, good choices here.

Love your description Jon ! An album i always play at Halloween. It's just so dark and sinister. Samla's debut is just the oposite isn't it. Happy, happy,happy.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:54

Piper is a very good album, one of my favorite Floyd's. Similarly I could easily vote for TD, Samla, Present & Zao.

But I gotta go with Heresie, it's not my favorite UZ (that would be Ceux Du Dehors), but it's a gloomy dark atmospheric monster. In fact I think I'll play it at work tomorrow.

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 19:56

HolyMoly wrote:

I'm going with Universal Totem Orchestra. I remember reviewing it when it came out and how pleasantly surprised I was. Maybe not the best Zeuhl out there, but at the time it was quite a beacon of light for Magma fans who had little hope of any new Zeuhl coming out.
.
Count me among the Piper fans too. Just got the 40th Anniv set with the mono mix. Love me some mono mixes. Stereo was still pretty clumsy in '67,

I'm so glad someone picked Italy's own Universal Totem Orchestra. I like their next one The Magus even more but both are fantastic. They do thank Vander and Top in the liner notes and then proceed to give us their interpretation of Zeuhl.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 20:06

Damn...another close one it seems.

Univers Zero, UTO, and Present are at the top of my list. I'm tempted to give it to UTO but I'll give 'em all another listen before I vote.

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Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive
Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Posted By: zravkapt
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 20:10

Heard 'em all except the Present one(must be one of their more recent albums). I'd rank the rest like this:

UTO

Floyd

Zao

P Tree

Yatha Sidhra

Samla

TD (one of my least favourite of their '70s albums)

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Magma America Great Make Again

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 21:39

presdoug wrote:

Like others, i went with Piper. Syd Barrett's work in Floyd is sheer genius. Too bad he suffered from Schizophrenia-it ended up shattering his life. Ouch

(and the LDS didn't help things, either)

Thanks Doug. This was being recorded at Abbey Road Studios at the same time that the Beatles were recording Sgt. Peppers. I think it was Nick Mason who said that when they met The Beatles there it was like meeting royalty. They had met McCartnney at the UFO Club before this as he walked backstage smoking a joint. Waters who wasn't much into drugs took a toke i guess because of his respect for the Beatle.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 21:48

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:

Piper is a very good album, one of my favorite Floyd's. Similarly I could easily vote for TD, Samla, Present & Zao.

But I gotta go with Heresie, it's not my favorite UZ (that would be Ceux Du Dehors), but it's a gloomy dark atmospheric monster. In fact I think I'll play it at work tomorrow.

As dark as Heresie is that PRESENT album sure is creeppy at times. The 4 part suite "The Limping Little Girl" is an example of this. Dave Kerman who drums on here once said he didn't want to know what the cover art was about.

. Macksoud who played with Kerman in 5UU'S and Chevalier who joined Kerman on an ARANIS record are fantastic on here as well. I love this PRESENT album and probably rate it as my fav from them.

By the way i have a Heresie t-shirt with the album cover of them standing in the foggy swamp. Very cool.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 21:50

Man With Hat wrote:

Damn...another close one it seems.

Univers Zero, UTO, and Present are at the top of my list. I'm tempted to give it to UTO but I'll give 'em all another listen before I vote.

Man that is an awesome top three Phil. Listening to that Present album right now and heard UTO earlier. I'll re-acquaint myself with Heresie tomorrow. Again that UTO album is so good with the female soprano vocals mixed with the male vocals. The first track is pure beauty. Very classical this allbum but dark and zeuhlish for sure.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 21:55

Mellotron Storm wrote:

. Macksoud who played with Kerman in 5UU'S and Chevalier who joined Kerman on an ARANIS record are fantastic on here as well. I love this PRESENT album and probably rate it as my fav from them.

By the way i have a Heresie t-shirt with the album cover of them standing in the foggy swamp. Very cool.

Yep, No6 is a really creepy album, I like it a lot, I have a real tough time picking amongst Present albums. I have that Heresie T-Shirt as well, I can be seen wearing it in the Romantic Warriors RIO DVD. I will probably be wearing it, and my Got RIO? shirt, at ROSfest this year. LOL

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 13 2013 at 21:56

So i picked ZAO. This is one of my favourite Zeuhl albums. Cahen on electric piano, Seffer on sax, Truong on drums all just kill. Freaking hired guns these guys are. Then add Mauricia on vocals and well it really is unique in the ZAO discography because of her vocals. She only sang on this one for them and yes some find her vocals too much but i love them. Oh i almost forgot the growly deep bass lines of Joel Dugreno.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 00:20

Three albums that I've rated with 5 stars in the list. I can't not vote for Barrett, but Rituale Alieno and Stratosfear are masterpieces and Coma DIvine is my fav PT album.

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I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution

Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 04:15

Coma Divine with Stratosfear as a close second.

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Posted By: Sagichim
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 06:48

Ok I'll just say it. I don't like Floyd's debut. Saucerful Of Secrets was such an improvement over it.
Regarding UTO I used to like their debut a lot, but listening to it recently I understood it's not one of my favorite Zehul albums anymore, I would much prefer The Magus.
So anyway I'll go with Zao on this one, not my favorite by them but still good enough for me to vote for. Excellent performance by Mauricia Platon on vocals.

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 08:07

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:

Mellotron Storm wrote:

. Macksoud who played with Kerman in 5UU'S and Chevalier who joined Kerman on an ARANIS record are fantastic on here as well. I love this PRESENT album and probably rate it as my fav from them.

By the way i have a Heresie t-shirt with the album cover of them standing in the foggy swamp. Very cool.

It's my t-shirt of choice as well Ian

when i go to a concert. I guess you probably got your from Wayside Music like i did.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 08:10

sagichim wrote:

Ok I'll just say it. I don't like Floyd's debut. Saucerful Of Secrets was such an improvement over it.
Regarding UTO I used to like their debut a lot, but listening to it recently I understood it's not one of my favorite Zehul albums anymore, I would much prefer The Magus.
So anyway I'll go with Zao on this one, not my favorite by them but still good enough for me to vote for. Excellent performance by Mauricia Platon on vocals.

Wow ! Someone who agrees with me.

Saucerful Of Secrets is a much better album but yeah we are in the minority on that one.

I do like Osiris more than the debut from ZAO.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 08:21

someone_else wrote:

Coma Divine with Stratosfear as a close second.

Coma Divine hhas been mentioned a lot so good to see it finally get a vote. It's such a great live document of their early years.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 11:14

Stratosfear for me easily

TD is awesome

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Prog On!

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 11:18

I'm surprised to vote for Yatha Sidhra's A Meditation Mass. I really love that album, and still keep listening to it quite regularly. My second choice, and it is one that I also adore, is the ZAO -- also one of my favourite albums in Zeuhl, and it is my favourite Zao album. Terrific. Heresie would be my third choice, and it is an awesome album. It was my first UZ album to get, and was quite daunting at first (found other UZ albums easier), unlike most of these albums which were really, really like at first listen. It was also one of the very first RIO albums I heard.

Again, of the choices I haven't heard the PT (not a band I've explored that much), and that Tangerine Dream I've only listened to once or twice.

Another very fine poll for my tastes. Thanks John for doing this. They're playing a big part in keeping my interest in this section, and I have discovered, and re-discovered some really tasty ones along the way thanks to this series.

Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 11:48

I'm starting to get sad that we're reaching the end of the z.a.r.p.e.k. polls. Unhappy

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My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 12:07

I rather hope, but wouldnt expect due to the effort involved, that there'll be a new series from John covering different categories, though Z.A.R.P.E.K. covers the majority of my in-PA collection so I wouldn't expect to know or participate as as much. I also enjoyed his Jazz and Related series very much. I might like to do a Prog Folk/ Acid Folk one, but no, too much work, and I wouldn't do justice to it.

What would be kind of neat if perhaps not that meaty, but I wouldn't expect it (though perhaps it is part of the plan), is to do a finals pitting the "winning album" of each of these polls against each-other.

Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 12:11

That would be cruel to all of us. LOL

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My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

-Kehlog Albran

Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 12:14

Logan wrote:

I'm surprised to vote for Yatha Sidhra's A Meditation Mass. I really love that album, and still keep listening to it quite regularly. My second choice, and it is one that I also adore, is the ZAO -- also one of my favourite albums in Zeuhl, and it is my favourite Zao album. Terrific. Heresie would be my third choice, and it is an awesome album. It was my first UZ album to get, and was quite daunting at first (found other UZ albums easier), unlike most of these albums which were really, really like at first listen. It was also one of the very first RIO albums I heard. Again, of the choices I haven't heard the PT (not a band I've explored that much), and that Tangerine Dream I've only listened to once or twice.Another very fine poll for my tastes. Thanks John for doing this. They're playing a big part in keeping my interest in this section, and I have discovered, and re-discovered some really tasty ones along the way thanks to this series.

I voted for A Meditation Mass as well. The combination of those beautiful lethargic and rather floating sections makes me want to pull out the ol bear skin rug and a big pipe of hashish. Then when the tumultuous climax sets in it's like being hurled into a rainstorm head first. I love everything about this album.

Must admit that I thought you'd pick the circus Swedes...

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“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

- Douglas Adams

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 12:39

Guldbamsen wrote:

I'm not currently as into SMM as I once was. By the way, I meant to write that I'm surprised to be the first, as I am not surprised at all that Yatha Sidhra got my vote. It's a wonderful album, and would likely make a top ten albums in PA list by me.

Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 13:17

Logan wrote:

Guldbamsen wrote:

Don't worry Greg, I got you the first time around.
SMM were the first really adventurous and crazy act that I got. I must've been 13 years old purchasing Måltid, and laughing for a week or so after it. I had no idea how to decipher it - let alone appreciate the technical work involved, but something made me return to it. Then it slowly began to resonate with me, and I haven't looked back since.

Incidentally, I saw you posting about your recent Krautrock adoration, and I was just wondering if you know the Swedish kings of the genre called Älgarnas Trädgard? I think you'd enjoy both of their albums immensely.

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“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

- Douglas Adams

Posted By: Wanorak
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 13:59

Coma Divine, a great live album. I don't like PF until Meddle, the early stuff does nothing for me.

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A GREAT YEAR FOR PROG!!!

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 16:32

Logan wrote:

I'm surprised to vote for Yatha Sidhra's A Meditation Mass. I really love that album, and still keep listening to it quite regularly. My second choice, and it is one that I also adore, is the ZAO -- also one of my favourite albums in Zeuhl, and it is my favourite Zao album. Terrific. Heresie would be my third choice, and it is an awesome album. It was my first UZ album to get, and was quite daunting at first (found other UZ albums easier), unlike most of these albums which were really, really like at first listen. It was also one of the very first RIO albums I heard.

Again, of the choices I haven't heard the PT (not a band I've explored that much), and that Tangerine Dream I've only listened to once or twice.

Another very fine poll for my tastes. Thanks John for doing this. They're playing a big part in keeping my interest in this section, and I have discovered, and re-discovered some really tasty ones along the way thanks to this series.

Thankyou Greg as usual for your thoughts. Good to see ZAO getting some attention here. I'm actually surprised to see Heresie doing so well. I'm a big fan of it but i just didn't think it would be getting more votes than Floyd or PT. It's probably my third favourite UZ record and i forgot that Roger Trigaux was still with them at this point before leaving and forming PRESENT. I don't often pick up remastered editions but i did with the Heresie cd and it's worth it to hear the bonus track "Chaoos Hermetique" that Roger composed. Great track !

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 16:34

HolyMoly wrote:

I'm starting to get sad that we're reaching the end of the z.a.r.p.e.k. polls. Unhappy

Funny but i had these same feelings Steve before i put this poll up knowing the end is getting close. Only three to go and i know some of you look forward to these and it's your feedback and comments that make these polls worth doing, so thankyou !

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 16:42

Logan wrote:

I rather hope, but wouldnt expect due to the effort involved, that there'll be a new series from John covering different categories, though Z.A.R.P.E.K. covers the majority of my in-PA collection so I wouldn't expect to know or participate as as much. I also enjoyed his Jazz and Related series very much. I might like to do a Prog Folk/ Acid Folk one, but no, too much work, and I wouldn't do justice to it.

What would be kind of neat if perhaps not that meaty, but I wouldn't expect it (though perhaps it is part of the plan), is to do a finals pitting the "winning album" of each of these polls against each-other.

It would be nice to keep doing something. I had thought of that after doing the Jazz & related polls ie. take the winners of each or the albums with the most votes or something like that. There's always a way to mix it up though but i haven't really thought about it much yet.

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"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: January 14 2013 at 18:32

Mellotron Storm wrote:

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:

Mellotron Storm wrote:

. Macksoud who played with Kerman in 5UU'S and Chevalier who joined Kerman on an ARANIS record are fantastic on here as well. I love this PRESENT album and probably rate it as my fav from them.

By the way i have a Heresie t-shirt with the album cover of them standing in the foggy swamp. Very cool.

It's my t-shirt of choice as well Eugene when i go to a concert. I guess you probably got your from Wayside Music like i did.

I bought mine at the Univers Zero concert in Washington 2 years ago.

Ian

Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 15 2013 at 13:43

Guldbamsen wrote:

Logan wrote:

Guldbamsen wrote:

I have Älgarnas Trädgard debut, and used to love it.. Man, I haven't listened to it in years. That was my one of my absolute favourite albums in Psyche. I should really return to it and get the other album. I know I've heard music off of the second before, and loved it.

Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: January 17 2013 at 00:21

I'm giving a vote to UTO's debut. A nice breath of fresh air in the zeuhl community. (not that the air was getting stale, mind you)

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Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive
Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.