BETEIGEUZE

M'hldorf, Germany-based retro proggers Karakorum have been around for a few years now. The quintet heavily relies on the 1970s progressive rock, but they also borrow from other styles such Krautrock, psychedelia, classic rock, etc. In March 2016, the band released a self-titled demo album, and three compositions from that recording is what make their full-length titled Beteigeuze available in a vinyl format from Tonzonen Records.

The lengthy tracks simply titled as 'Beteigeuze Pt. I,' 'Beteigeuze Pt. II,' and 'Beteigeuze Pt. III' bring floating ominous keyboards and ethereal guitar work which dominate all around the record. 'Part 2" has a majestic soundtrack feel with some lazy distorted Manuel G'ttsching-like guitars accompanying the tripped-out keyboards. "Part 3,' clocking at around 23 minutes has it all, it is mellow, but complex and deep, very reminiscent of vintage King Crimson meets Yes. There is a mesmerizing keyboard madness that could have been lifted from any of the 1970's prog records.

Now that I've got you intrigued enough to check out an incredible obscure album, head over to the Tonzonen Records website and make sure to get it in a LP format, because this kind of record deserves to be heard in all its glory in an old-fashioned way.