Golden Earring-Eight Miles High (1969)

The fifth album by the Dutch band Golden Earring marked a turning point for their future in terms of quality. It already hinted at the future and characteristic style of progressive hard rock they would develop in the following years. Released in 1969, it was launched by Polydor in Europe and by Atlantic Records in North America. The band that recorded this album consisted of guitarist, singer, and flautist Barry Hay, drummer Sieb Warner, lead guitarist and singer George Kooymans, and bassist and organist Rinus Gerritsen. The album's high point is undoubtedly the monolithic version of the Byrds' "Eight Miles Eight", presented here in a 19-minute whirlwind of hard rock and progressive rock, a truly impressive tour de force showcasing the quartet's power and talent. The rest of the album follows a similar musical path, with tracks like the psychedelic hard rock of "Landing", the pulsating "Song of a Devil's Servant", and the progressive blues rock of "Everyday's Torture". From here on, the group's golden age would begin, creating large-scale media works such as "Seven Tears" (1971), "Together" (1972), "Moontan" (1973) and "Switch" (1975).