Released on 28/03/11. Esoteric recordings continue with releases on their new reactive imprint, (dedicated to reissues of classic German rock), with a journey into the catalogue of Eckart Rahn s legendary Kuckuck label. Kuckuck was responsible for releasing many great albums in Germany in the early 1970s, including this sole album by the legendary Armaggedon. Not to be confused with other bands of the same name, the quartet comprised Frank Diez (lead guitar, vocals), Manfred Galatik (keyboards, bass guitar, vocals), Michael Nurnberg (bass& rhythm guitars) and Jurgen Lorenzen (drums, percussion).
The album was one of the earliest issued on the Kuckuck imprint and was a fine hard progressive rock alb um with Frank Diez’s guitar work inspired by the likes of Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix.
Round / Open / Oh Man / Rice Pudding / People Talking / Better By You, Better Than Me
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Their self-titled album is a heavy progressive masterpiece with excellent, Hendrix-influenced guitar work and vocals by Frank Diez. Armageddon was the start of his long and impressive career. Their album had six tracks, and two of them were cover versions. Most impressive was the 10 minute version of Jeff Beck Group's "Rice Pudding". This track had some of the greatest heavy guitar riffing to appear on a German record. Their version of Spooky Tooth's "Better By You, Better Than Me" was also competent enough. In addition, both Frank Diez and Manfred Galatik wrote great songs, as typified by the tracks "People Talking" and "Open". Michael Nurnberg and Jurgen Lorenzen provided a strong backing. Armageddon's album has rocketed in price during recent years, due to the ever increasing interest. However, demand for the group was poor way back in 1970, and Armaggedon soon broke up. Diez never played material with a similar energy again, his next step was to join the 'slightly-above-average' jazz-rockers Emergency. Luckily the Armaggedon album was released on CD in 1991 with a sharp and clean digitally remastered sound (in a limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies). (COSMIC DREAMS AT PLAY)
