Illegal was released in 1981, hardly a year associated with good prog music. Maybe Grobschnitt were living in their own world but they came back with a rather pleasant album , not a sure guarantee back then. Of course, the sound has been updated on some tracks as Lupo the guitarist is not afraid now to play some good hard rock guitar here and there.

This double disc set features mostly live selections from the early 1970s to the 1980s along with some alternate takes. CD 1 opens with Die Sinfonie, a long track from their eponymous debut album, here you can enjoy a 1973 live version featuring that distinctive Grobschnitt progrock sound: fiery, rock based guitar, the strong, often English vocals, the excellent, very inventive drumwork and the wonderful vintage keyboard sound. The next track is Nickelodeon (in a 1973 rehearsals version, originally on the 2-LP Ballermann from 1974) featuring top notch rock guitar, what a compelling soli! The final composition on CD-1 is the famous epic Solar Music (also from Ballerman) in a 53 minutes version.
CD 2 contains 10 tracks like Ernie's Reise and Rockpommels Land Finale from the known concept album Rockpommel's Land, both from 1981 and we can enjoy a fine blend of acoustic guitar and varied keyboards…

The Grobschnitt debut from 1972 are a milestone in modern music history. This double CD collects what the band recorded before the debut was released. These early authentical recordings leave in many ways a livelier and fresher impression compared to the perfectly polished studio versions of the LP from Metronome. They show "the" Kapelle Elias Grobschnitt precisely in the fashion as they were to be experienced in those days.

Eroc (Joachim Heinz Ehrig) started his solo career in 1975 while he was currently the drummer of Grobschnitt. His self titled album can be considered as a cross between Gorbschnitt's typical symphonic amazing music and electronic/ synthscapes dominated by numerous original sound manipulations. Despite that he was originally recognised as a drummer, here Eroc is the man behind the machines, controlling solid essays in synth experimentations and electronic collages. His first album is an absolute must in Kraut/ electronic genre, very abstract, emotional and a mix of different moods. This album is an opponent worthy of Klaus Schulze's first realisations in space/ "kosmische" electronic music. His following album ("Zwei" published by "Brain" in 1976) continues to process by a combination between rock and electronic but focused on short, efficient sketches…

Eroc (Joachim Heinz Ehrig) started his solo career in 1975 while he was currently the drummer of Grobschnitt. His self titled album can be considered as a cross between Gorbschnitt's typical symphonic amazing music and electronic/synthscapes dominated by numerous original sound manipulations. Despite that he was originally recognised as a drummer, here Eroc is the man behind the machines, controlling solid essays in synth experimentations and electronic collages. His first album is an absolute must in Kraut/ electronic genre, very abstract, emotional and a mix of different moods. This album is an opponent worthy of Klaus Schulze's first realisations in space/"kosmische" electronic music.

Combining their trademark symphonic-progressive style with drummer and leader Eroc’s twisted, absurdist humor, Grobschnitt was among the most curious groups in Germany’s Krautrock scene. Essentially an extended, concert version of “Solar Music,” the group’s 30-minute plus studio instrumental masterwork from 1974’s Ballerman, Solar Music - Live is a fantastic live document recorded in 1978. Featuring stellar musicianship throughout from Eroc and classically-trained keyboardist Mist (Volker Kahrs), the group’s exhilarating cosmic jamming, spaced-out soloing, and splashy stage show (as evidenced by the pyrotechnics on the cover art) make this one of the essential live documents of the prog rock era.

Formed in 1970, Grobschnitt was one of the best German band from the mid-Seventies. All of the members of the band adopted pseudonyms, namely "Eroc", "Mist", "Wildschwein", "Lupo" and "Popo". The band was created by Joachim "Eroc" Ehrig (drums, percussion), Stefan "Wildschwein" Daneliak (guitars & vocals), and Gerd-Otto "Lupo" Kühn (guitar, vocals). This nucleus was later completed by Wolgang "Popo" Jäger (bass) and Volker "Mist" Kahrs (keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers). Their sound was characterized by sometimes long suites allowing ambitious composition developments, with intermingled themes, rhythms, climates changes and symphonic passages. This eclectic German band became one of the most popular live acts in German history.

Expansive, stirring, and majestic, German band Grobbschnitt's music rivaled that of Genesis and Yes in the symphonic rock sweeping sweepstakes, combining absurdist jokiness, circus music, seriously orchestral passages, and rock-inspired grandiosity. This 1975 album - the band's third - is an adventuresome and only slightly dated outing that is a must-have for prog fans, and highlights include the joyful "Clown." The 2007 reissue includes both English-language and German versions of every song.

Formed in 1970, Grobschnitt was one of the best German band from the mid-Seventies. All of the members of the band adopted pseudonyms, namely "Eroc", "Mist", "Wildschwein", "Lupo" and "Popo". The band was created by Joachim "Eroc" Ehrig (drums, percussion), Stefan "Wildschwein" Daneliak (guitars & vocals), and Gerd-Otto "Lupo" Kühn (guitar, vocals). This nucleus was later completed by Wolgang "Popo" Jäger (bass) and Volker "Mist" Kahrs (keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers). They were best known as Yes-inspired band, but they also explored other progressive rock styles (either psychedelic prog or more cohesive "Krautrock" with some stunning instrumental passages that will be familiar to anyone into the likes of Man, Amon Duul II, Wishbone Ash and many similar bands)…

Formed in 1970, Grobschnitt was one of the best German band from the mid-Seventies. All of the members of the band adopted pseudonyms, namely "Eroc", "Mist", "Wildschwein", "Lupo" and "Popo". The band was created by Joachim "Eroc" Ehrig (drums, percussion), Stefan "Wildschwein" Daneliak (guitars & vocals), and Gerd-Otto "Lupo" Kühn (guitar, vocals). This nucleus was later completed by Wolgang "Popo" Jäger (bass) and Volker "Mist" Kahrs (keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers). They were best known as Yes-inspired band, but they also explored other progressive rock styles (either psychedelic prog or more cohesive "Krautrock" with some stunning instrumental passages that will be familiar to anyone into the likes of Man, Amon Duul II, Wishbone Ash and many similar bands)…

Formed in 1970, Grobschnitt was one of the best German band from the mid-Seventies. All of the members of the band adopted pseudonyms, namely "Eroc", "Mist", "Wildschwein", "Lupo" and "Popo". The band was created by Joachim "Eroc" Ehrig (drums, percussion), Stefan "Wildschwein" Daneliak (guitars & vocals), and Gerd-Otto "Lupo" Kühn (guitar, vocals). This nucleus was later completed by Wolgang "Popo" Jäger (bass) and Volker "Mist" Kahrs (keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers). They were best known as Yes-inspired band, but they also explored other progressive rock styles (either psychedelic prog or more cohesive "Krautrock" with some stunning instrumental passages that will be familiar to anyone into the likes of Man, Amon Duul II, Wishbone Ash and many similar bands)…

Considered by many to be the second last good Grobschnitt album before the departure of Eroc. In fact consciously Grobschnitt elected after "Merry Go Round" to stop recording their signature fairytale - like music and move more in the spirit of the '80's. Considering this was one of the later Grobschnitt albums it contains many of their most beloved melodies. "Merry-Go-Round" contains everything that you would expect with great drumming - bass - guitar interplay with fairytale-like keyboards and atmospheres. Songs are exceptionally well written and performed and if you are a completist then you can snag Repetroire's re-mastered version with 2 bonus tracks.

Alternately psychedelic, progressive, and hard rock-styled, the eclectic German band Grobschnitt became one of the most popular live acts in German history. The group recorded several lauded albums in the 1970s, moving between styles before switching to more mainstream pop and rock in the 1980s. Meanwhile, in part thanks to drummer Joachim Ehrig, the group added touches of absurdist humor to their records and live shows…

German progressive rockers Grobschnitt took a major leap forward on their second album, 1974's "Ballermann". While the ambitious, double-length release featured a fair amount of eccentric drummer/ringmaster Eroc's trademark goofy, Monty Python-esque clowning, the Krautrockers also took a definitive leap from jammy rock to a full-blown symphonic-progressive style, with the 33 1/2-minute "Solar Music" suite, one of German prog's masterworks, which would also be memorably revisited on their 1978 Solar Music Live album.

West German rock band Grobschnitt will see a very limited 17CD super deluxe box set of all 14 of their albums released later this month that comes with almost seven hours of bonus material. The box set is titled 79:10 and covers the entire output of the band from 1972 to 1989. Everything has been newly remastered and in total there is over 22 hours of material for fans to enjoy. The reason for ’79:10′ is that each of the 17 CDs has 79 minutes and 10 secs of audio, so they are packed with content!…