Granmax, USA-Missouri ***REISSUED***

A Ninth Alive. 1976 Panama
Kiss Heaven Goodbye. 1978 Panama

***Both albums reissued by Cult Metal Classics (2024)

Kiss Heaven Goodbye reviewed on UMR

Priority: 2

9/16/24 (reissue complete)

Pinguin, Germany

Der Grosse Rote Vogel. 1972 Zebra

After the psych band Talix released Spuren, they reemerged as Pinguin and issued one fine album in the contemporary Krautrock field. There are six tracks that play as two side long suites. The instrumentation will be familiar to students of the genre: Hammond organ, loud and jamming electric guitar, flute, saxophone, and a thunderous rhythm section. One twist is the vocals are in German, a very unusual move at the time. Period groups such as Nosferatu, Os Mundi, Hanuman, Ikarus, and Xhol Caravan come to mind here. The music belongs as much to progressive rock as it to does to the more atmospheric Krautrock tag, as there's plenty of complexity brought forth. I'm reminded of Inside era Eloy in this way. The second side demonstrates more of the Krautrock experimentalism that we've come to expect. Closer 'Der Traum' is a trippy and jazzy piece with phased vocals. Great album throughout.

Priority: 2

8/15/09 (new entry)

Ixt Adux, USA-California

Brainstorm. 1982 Madame X

Long Beach, California based Ixt Adux were yet another late 70s / early 80s American band that had absolutely no chance of commercial success. Their brand of aggressive and complex King Crimson influenced guitar-based rock (no keyboards here) will remind the listener of Midwest prog groups such as St. Elmo's Fire, October, The Inserts, and Ariel - other hopelessly obscure albums. There's even a little Canterbury undercurrent (but brash and entirely American). The vocalist definitely enjoyed listening to Van der Graaf Generator, and he employs many Hammill-like declarations. The album starts off more towards aggressive hard rock but it's a head fake, and they begin to display their complex nature on A2. There's even some nods to the avant prog genre to be found.

Priority: 2

3/6/11 (new entry)

Rodan / MAX, USA-California

Rodan. 1974 Pandora

Super horn rock album, that absolutely kills on most of the 12 short tracks. There are a couple of bluesy moves and at least one James Brown styled funker, but mostly this just rips from start to finish. The kind of album you wish all horn rockers were. Smoking guitar and great brass charts. The rhythm section never stops. California based group was actually known as MAX, and toured extensively with groups like Malo and Tower of Power. Album sports a fantastic drawing on the cover.

Thanks goes to Heavyrock for this one!

Priority: 2

I've recently heard from the band and they've confirmed that a 2xLP reissue is on the way. I did ask about a CD reissue and they stated it was possible.

https://www.facebook.com/digitalcellars

6/22/09 (new entry); 9/12/24 (LP reissue)