Review: Various - New Way Of Krautrock Volume 1

Word is that next month Tonzonen will be releasing Volume 2 of 'New Way of Krautrock' so I thought I would share my thoughts on Volume 1. The project is an interesting one; various artists of the kraut/psych/space scene collaborated in the setting up of a multilayered Bandcamp site that plays host to tracks from said artists....like a 'one-stop shop' of psychedelic kosmische and a great way to explore the current scene. Tracks can be bought singly for a euro or two so won't break the bank. Tonzonen, in association with Underground Äxpärten, bouyed by the success of the Bandcamp site, have plans to release a series of 5 compilation CDs that showcase the best of the scene (and a nice box in which to store the Cds).

Volume 1 kicks off with with a 30 second jingle for Underground Äxpärten by Das Raumpiloten - a brief trippy piece of electronica. The first proper track is Lover 303's 'Jezt Geht's Los', which starts with a psytrance electronic beat but soon evolves into a groove-laden krautrock jam with more than a touch of outer space courtesy of some spacey effects. Next up is 'Chorg' by Electric Orange. I've long been a fan of Electric Orange (indeed, 'Netto' is way up in my all time favourite albums list). 'Chorg' does not disappoint; a motorik rhythm overlaid with guitar and some lovely organ work. It builds slowly and evolves into a modern masterpiece of kosmische. Next up are Knall (another personal favourite) with 'Weed Porn'; some bluesy guitar that soon moves into jam territory...arch guitar slinger Baal Brain on top form! Sounds Of New Soma give us 'Mahatma Macht Mittag', a more electronic based number full of luscious drones and spacey effects - definitely the more ambient side of kraut/psych and is a beautifully laid back number. Sounds Of New Soma are a band with whom I'm familiar but certainly warrant a closer inspection. The Spacelords are up next with 'Prelude-Rhinoceros-Bison' which, unless I've missed my guess, is taken from their 'Live @ Psychedelic Network Festival 2012' CDR. Anyone familiar with the band will immediately recognise the top notch space rock (if you're not familiar, check out their 'Synapse' album, originally out on Sulatron but that Tonzonen re-issued this year). Aphodyl are a band that I do not know a great deal about except that their half hour long 'Pyramide of Slave' is a monster; a true krautrock workout with soaring guitars, crashing drums and some lovely effects....definitely a band to investigate further. Larman Clamor close the album with 'Tangerine Nightfall', a very brief track with just an organ and acoustic guitar that brings forth the pastoral side of Krautrock.

As compilations go, 'New Way of Krautrock Volume 1' is a stormer, packed with quality and leaves one feeling reassured that the future of kraut/psych/space rock is in very safe hands. I, for one, cannot wait to see what joys Volume 2 brings us. The CD can be purchased via the Tonzonen webstore here and Volume 2 is also up for pre-order. Be sure to check out the New Way of Krautrock Bandcamp page