TIPS ZUM SELBSTMORD

Looks like HP Lovecraft inspired many rock musicians. There's the 1960s Chicago psych band called HP Lovecraft, and then there's this German group naming themselves after a magical tome that appears in Lovecraft's stories. I guess when it comes for obscurities and rarities, Necronomicon is right up there, as only 500 copies of the original LP were pressed. This album came out in 1972 with a gimmick fold out cover that folds out into a cross. The album titles apparently translates as "How to commit suicide", but in this regards how to commit suicide is to destroy the environment, which this album apparently addresses, but since they sing in German, it's hard for me to know what they're singing about. They're not the only German band to address environmental destruction, Pell Mell did on "City Monster" off their 1972 debut Marburg, and Ikarus also addressed similar matters on their sole 1971 album on the opening cut "Eclipse", albeit with pretty embarrassingly poorly written lyrics). Funny how this subject matter is still a huge concern, and perhaps even more so now than in 1972. This album is really heavy psych, a lot of it still having a '60s vibe, despite the 1972 date, but perhaps a bit too heavy to actually come out of the '60s. There are some really heavy proto-metal guitar riffs, so if you like proto-metal this album also comes recommended. When it comes for heavy psych, this album really doesn't let up, although there are some calmer moments, most of this just simply rocks like there's no tomorrow. There are lots of obscurities that should stay that way. Not Necronomicon. I bet you this band would have stood a better chance had the '60s sound was dropped, as pretty much most bands had, by this time. While most people might not want to fork out the four digit prices the originals are commanding (and careful: counterfeits are floating around), it's that kind of heavy psych album that's really worthy of your attention!