FROM BOOKS AND DREAMS

From Books and Dreams by Message is a dark, spine-tingling experience that blends elements of krautrock, hard prog rock, and heavy psych. Released in 1973,, exploring heavy, soundscapes that play on unconscious fears and dream-like states.

Message a German / British band, were one of those enigmas of the Krautrock scenes . They evolved out of an early sixties Scottish rock 'n roll band called The Waysiders. When they split, guitarist Allan Murdoch returned to England and ended up playing in a band called M15 with future Nektar keyboard player Allan ' Taff ' Freeman. Due to lack of media interest, M15 moved to Germany in 1967 and eventually became Prophesy which evolved into Nektar. In the meantime, current Birth Control bassist Horst Stachelhaus had formed Message in 1968 and the two bands became close friends. Murdoch joined Message and invited along his old friend, vocalist and sax player Tom McGuigan, and that's how the British / German Message was formed.

The great album cover shares similarities with McChurch Soundroom's Delusion, and both albums share a common atmosphere of unsettling heavy psychedelia. The production by Dieter Dirks, known for his work with krautrock and heavier rock bands, gives the record a raw, intense sound, similar to early Nektar albums.

The album opens with "Sleep," a brief spoken word introduction that sets a tense mood, leading into the sprawling "Dreams and Nightmares (Dreams)." This track is a showcase for Allan Murdoch's heavy guitar work, particularly a riff that explodes midway through, while Tom McGuigan's vocals add a disturbing edge. The guitar solo towards the end channels a Black Sabbath-like heaviness that stands out as one of the highlights of the album.

"Turn Over" introduces McGuigan's saxophone, which weaves through the track's eerie atmosphere before giving way to a more rhythmic, jazz-influenced section. The sax adds a distinctive flavor, pushing the music into free-form, experimental territory.

"Sigh" is more melodic but features abrasive vocals that might not appeal to everyone. The sax and guitar interplay in the instrumental sections, however, adds depth and shifts the track into a more complex direction, ending with a sinister scream.

The second part of "Dreams and Nightmares" (titled "Nightmares") continues the dark, jam-like exploration with somber mellotron sections and restrained vocals, building toward more chaotic instrumental moments. The sax and guitar dominate, giving the track an unsettling, nightmarish quality.

McGuigan's sax and instrumental versatility add a unique texture. While From Books and Dreams has a dated sound compared to other releases from the same time, it stands out for its intensity and dark, dream-like atmosphere. From Books and Dreams is a very interesting an obscure record in lyrics and in music it's a great introduction in what became in heavy metal. An overwhelming, enveloping, mysterious, and surprising .

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