(Review from vintageprog.com)

Amon Duul II evolved logically enough from Amon Duul, an experimental German 60′s jam-oriented band with political lyrics. Several members decided to drop the political side of the group in favour of more focus on the music, so they broke out of the band and formed Amon Düül II that quickly would become one of the leading and most important kraut rock bands. Their debut “Phallus Dei” is very representative for the earliest phase of their career, with the exception for the German lyrics that would be dropped after this album. They played a very psychedelic kind of progressive rock that varied between long improvisations and jams and then to more structured and song-oriented tracks. The violin of Chris Karrer was an important trademark in the band’s sound, and his vocals sound often like a crazy and more energetic Frank Bornemann. Renate Knaup contributed with some weird female vocals that often came to the fore on the most experimental parts. The opener “Kanaan” reveals some of their occasionally eastern influences, but “Den Güten, Schönen, Wahren” is more representative for their overall sound. “Luzifers Ghilom” is an overlooked goodie that demonstrates their talent for combining complex and sophisticated musical structures with a rough and unpolished attitude. The short “Henriette Krotenschwanz” features some operatic vocals from Knaup, but it’s of course the 20-minute title-track that stands as the classic from the album. It starts as an intense and energetic jam session, but evolves gradually into more structured riffs and themes before finally climaxing with a very powerful violin riff and vocals from Karrer.

Line-up:
- Peter Leopold / drums, percussion, piano
- Shrat / bongos, violin, vocals
- Renate / vocals, tambourine
- John Weinzierl / bass, guitar
- Chris Karrer / violin, guitar, sax, vocals
- Falk Rogner / organ, synth
- Dave Anderson / bass
- Dieter Serfas / drums, electric cymbals

Track List:
01. Kanaan
02. Den Guten, Schönen, Wahren
03. Luzifers Ghilom
04. Henriette Krotenschwanz
05. Phallus Dei
06. Freak Out Requiem I (Bonus)
07. Freak Out Requiem II (Bonus)
08. Freak Out Requiem III (Bonus)
09. Freak Out Requiem IV (Bonus)
10. Cymbals in the End (Bonus)

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