Odin-Odin (1972)

Odin were another of those fantastic, short-lived bands that, with only one album released, have become cult progressive rock acts. Founded in the early seventies, these Brits created an admirable work on their sole album, focused on progressive hard rock with influences from the late sixties psychedelic movement. However, since their base of operations was in Germany, they were categorized within the krautrock movement, also due to their avant-garde style driven by heavy guitars and the prominent Hammond organ. The band consisted of keyboardist and vocalist Jeff Beer, guitarist and vocalist Rob Terstall, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Stuart Fordham. Signed to Vertigo Records, they released their only album in 1972, revealing a style closer to the progressive hard rock of British bands like Deep Purple and Quatermass. The masterful organ and guitar lines predominate in songs like "Life Is Only", while the jazzy "Tribute to Frank", an ode to Frank Zappa, becomes the most hypnotic track on the album. This vein is further enhanced by the atmospheric "Eucalyptus", which leads into a thrilling, progressive cover of Quatermass's "Gemini". The album concludes with the serene folk "Be The Man You Are" and the heavy, dark, psychedelic "Clown". Without a doubt, this album is one of the lesser-known gems of British progressive rock, mistakenly categorized within the German krautrock movement.