GER | krautrock
The icon of krautrock is back! The legendary band unites the four original members Lutz "Lüül" Graf-Ulbrich (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo), Michael Hoenig (keyboards, synthesizer, electronic percussion), Gustl Lütjens (†2017, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals) and Burghard Rausch (drums, electronic percussion), together with new addition Daniel Cordes (bass, synthesizer). Peter Michael Hamel (santur) and Benjamin Schwenen (lead guitar) also enrich the ensemble as guests.
From 1967 to 1974, Agitation Free shaped the music landscape as one of the most innovative German Krautrock bands with an international reputation. The band fused improvised instrumental rock, classical avant-garde and world music elements long before the term "world music" was used. In 1972, they were the first rock band to tour Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Greece and contributed to the cultural program of the Olympic Games in Munich.
In the 1970s, the band released two groundbreaking studio albums: the classic Malesch (1972), inspired by their oriental travels, and 2nd (1973), which presented a jazzier, rockier and more electronic sound. After a period of breaks from touring and solo careers for some members, CD releases followed with material initially considered too experimental or "off" . Over time, four more CDs of restored live and studio recordings were released, including energetic live recordings from France and Cologne, such as the experimental "Looping IV" on Last (1976) and the more relaxed River Of Return (1999). Finally, in 2011, Shibuya Nights was released, a spectacular live recording of three concerts in Tokyo in 2007 that perfectly captures the essence of the band's early years.
With Momentum, the pioneers of experimental German rock music present their first studio album since 1999. They take listeners on a fascinating musical journey. Unearthly sounds, pulsating rhythms, grandiose guitar riffs, hypnotic sequences and driving bass create an impressive, cinematic soundscape - almost like a time machine that connects the past and the future.