EPSILON

Early-70's Kraut-Rock act from Marburg, formed in 1970 and playing some sort of THE NICE Psych/Classical Rock at the beginning (they had a different name as well-Karthago, not to be confused with the Berlin-based band of the same name), just before ex-Nosferatu and Orange Peel guitarist/singer Michael Winzkowski entered the scene.The rest of the crew included bassist Michael Ertl, drummer Hartmut Pfannmüller and ex-Jeronimo keyboardist Walter Ortel.Their self-titled debut was released in 1971 on Bacillus Records.

The style of the band has significantly changed under the leadership of Winzkowski.This is a rather dated but well-executed example of Kraut/Hard Rock with big time Blues-Rock and minor Classical and Psych influences, not unlike bands like DEEP PURPLE or ATOMIC ROOSTER.Vocals are decent, all sung in English.The musicianship is far from great but very balanced between hard guitar drives and piano/organ offerings.Actually Winzkowski seems to be the central figure here, delivering bluesy riffing, strong solos and hard-sounding grooves in general, while his typical rockin' voice seems to suit perfectly with Epsilon's adapted style.Ortel is the second leading musician.Nice organ throughout in a JON LORD and KEITH EMERSON vein with a fair dose of Baroque-inspired parts but also some stronger groovy passages, while his piano parts alternate between soft jazzy touches to rhythmic interplays with Wiznowski's guitar.The rhythm section is strong and tight with some powerful playing throughout.The result is an album of frenetic Kraut/Hard/Prog with good perfomances but a very unoriginal style.

Add another reason for purchasing the album to the Classical-inpired re-edition of The Rolling Stones' ''Paint it black'', maybe the greatest idea Epsilon ever had.A good addition for the majority of the prog audience.Fans of Kraut-Rock, Hard Rock, Classical Prog, Proto-Prog and even bluesy Progressive Rock will find parts close to their likings in ''Epsilon'', thus the album comes eventually recommended.