TIPS ZUM SELBSTMORD

"Tips Zum Selbstmord" ("Tips to commit Suicide" or "How to commit suicide") is the debut full-length studio album by German rock act Necronomicon. The album was released through the Best Prehodi label in 1972 (the band´s own label). While a band name like Necronomicon immediately makes me think of the occult, and an album title like "Tips Zum Selbstmord" further enhances the expectation of finding something dark and sombre on the album, "Tips Zum Selbstmord" is actually an album featuring politically aware German language lyrics describing the destruction of our planet through pollution and greed, and not lyrics with subjects like suicide and the occult. That´s of course also a heavy subject matter.

Stylistically the music on the album is in a heavy progressive/psychadelic rock style. Heavy guitars, long improvised blues rock guitar solos, a hard pounding rhythm section, and organ (played by a guy with the odd name of Fistus Dickmann). There´s often a loose jam like feeling to the tracks, although the compositions also feature more structured parts. The male vocals are relatively subdued and sparse. When they are featured more prominently like they are on the title track, they really shouldn´t have been, as they are arguably the weakest link of the chain. Occassionally the music features male/female choir parts giving the music an epic atmosphere.

"Tips Zum Selbstmord" features an organic, powerful, and well sounding production job, which suits the music well, so upon conclusion Necronomicon have produced a decent quality debut album. The vocals aren´t that great, but the instrumental jam like sections are pretty rewarding. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.