Werwolf-Creation (1982)

Continuing our series on lesser-known bands, this time we feature the German group Werwolf, founded in Sauerland in 1970 by drummer and vocalist Peter Besting, guitarist Hartwig Kugoth, and bassist Peter Lorenz. For a time, they were a trio, until 1972 when keyboardist Jürgen Göckle, saxophonist and flute player Michael Schlimm, and vocalist Ellen Wiederstein joined the band. With this lineup, Werwolf recorded a demo to distribute to various record labels in hopes of securing a contract, but without success. During those years, the band focused on live performances, touring with bands like Birth Control and Eloy. It wasn't until 1982 that they released their first album, "Creation", which featured only Peter Besting from the original lineup. On this debut album, Wearwolf leans towards progressive folk sounds with pleasing acoustic guitars and the enchanting voice of singer Gitta Loewenstein, which bears a certain resemblance to British singer Annie Haslam of Renaissance. Besides Loewenstein's vocals, the album's highlights come from the excellent work of guitarist Gerd Heuel and the symphonic keyboards of Wolfgang Unthan. Extended tracks with substantial developments and constant tempo changes give it a certain feel of music made in the seventies rather than the eighties, which is understandable given that the compositions were written long before they were recorded. "The Journey To The Land Of The Flying Pigs" and "Daydream" are clear examples of this, while "The Eighth Day", "The Song", and the opening track "Höhenflug" are complex progressive compositions with a sound more in keeping with the decade in which they were recorded.

The Gary Moore Band-Grinding Stone (1973)

Gary Moore is one of the greatest guitarists in history. Influenced primarily by the blues, he ventured into heavier genres like hard rock and heavy metal, and even dabbled in progressive jazz rock. Gary Moore's career began in the late 1960s when, at just 17 years old, he joined the band Skid Row (not to be confused with the American band of the same name from the 1980s). With Skid Row, Moore recorded three albums and became very popular, opening for established bands like Mountain and The Allman Brothers Band across the United States. In 1973, Moore decided to form his own band, The Gary Moore Band, with whom he recorded his first album, "Grinding Stone", where the Irish guitarist already showed glimpses of what was to come in the following years. "Grinding Stone" is a magnificent album of hard rock and psychedelic blues, featuring outstanding compositions such as the opening track "Grinding Stone", a psychedelic instrumental where Moore showcases his talent on the six-string guitar, and brilliant cuts like the epic, progressive-tinged "Spirit" and the boogie blues "Boogie My Way Back Home". From this point on, Gary Moore continued to release albums with various groups, including the progressive jazz-rock band Colosseum and the hard rock band Thin Lizzy, as well as solo albums. His solo work alternated between hard rock and metal albums and traditional blues, and on more than one occasion, he even explored the rhythms and melodies of traditional Irish music, from his homeland. In 2011, Gary Moore was found dead in a hotel room in Málaga, the victim of a heart attack in his sleep. He was 58 years old and had been a fixture in the music scene for over forty years.

Eloy-Live (1978)

Fantastic double live album official German progressive rock group Eloy. Thetopics covered by disks are as follows: From Inside Inside is included. From The Power And The Passion Of Dawn Mutiny is included there is some mess with titles,including The Sun-Song is actually the theme-Flash Memory, The Dance In DoubtAnd Fear they really are the topics Appearance Of Return Of The Voice and The Voice, and finally Gliding Into Light And Knowledge. From the Ocean includePoseidon's Creation, Incarnation Of The Logos and and the long title theme, Atlantis Agony ... etc. etc.. The interpretation of the issues that is more symphonicrock, everything is covered with mysterious atmospheres, dark, symphonic, and I can imagine that day in the room transported to another galaxy like I was stuck in ascience fiction movie. Some of the interpretations are quite faithful to the originalsbut there are some topics like Atlantis Agony ... Dawn or issues where the instrumental parts are stretched very effectively. One of the basic double live the70's progressive.