Paternoster - 1972 - Paternoster

Paternoster 

1972

Paternoster

01. Paternoster 3:57
02. Realization 3:31
03. Stop These Lines 6:56
04. Blind Children 6:14
05. Old Danube 4:13
06. The Pope Is Wrong 6:00
07. Mammoth Opus O 8:55

Bass Guitar – Heimo Wisser
Drums – Gerhart Walenta
Guitar, Vocals – Gerhard Walter
Organ, Vocals – Franz Wippel

Recorded at Quodlibet-Studios, Vienna, on March 9th and 10th, 1972.

One of the strangest and obscure bands to emanate from continental Europe during the glory years of the progressive rock movement of the early seventies was Vienna's Paternoster. While one can count the number of Austrian progressive rock bands from this era on one hand , most notably Eela Craig, Paternoster stood alone with their singular LP simply titled Paternoster which was derived from The Lord's Prayer in German by amalgamating Pater ( Lord ) and Noster ( Prayer ). Distinquished by the haunting dirge-like mournful vocal stylings of organist / vocalist Franz Wippel backed by guitarist / vocalist Gerhard Waller, bassist Gerhart Walenta and drummer Heimo Wisser they achieved a unique sound during the two years of their short existence from 1970-72. Not a Krautrock band per se, although almost always categorized as such, contemporary Kraurock elements were evident particularily in the form of primitive electronic effects in the form of distorted guitars and echo boxes similar to early Guru Guru and Tangerine Dream's primitive audio experiments. Classical devices were also employed which added to a gothic church-like sound at times.

While the sombre timbre of Wippel's dreary vocal deliveries might suggest sacreligious overtones they are quite the opposite. Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull were criticized for being anti-religious on their respective Master Of Reality and Aqualung albums but their messages were actually pro-religion but anti-church if listened to carefully. Albeit rather cynical Paternoster' s somewhat complex and poetic lyrics (sung in English) attempted to achieve the same protest against organized religion as exemplified by the relatively blatant track, " The Pope Is Wrong ". They also sang about suicide and death but the nightmarish meloncholic atmospheres created by Wippel's moaning vocals were contrasted by the very British sounding Hammond Organ led instrumenal accompaniments ( the only keyboard used on the album ) and Waller's psychedelic fuzzed out guitar. Comparisons have often been made to early Pink Floyd, The Nice, Uriah Heep and sometimes Van der Graaf Generator as well as to early material from German bands Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel, Virus, Pell Mell, Kin Ping Meh and the vocals of Jane.

Having disbanded shortly after releasing their lone LP in October 1972, Paternoster faded into Krautrock folklore along with other one album Krautrock wonders such as Dies Irae, Necronimicon and Sperrmull. Their mystique continued into the age of the internet where original vinyl copies of their eponymous 1972 recording have been known to fetch as much as $2000 on ebay as well as at record conventions. In 1991 a small German label, Ohrswashl records, which specializes in psychedelic music, released the album on CD and more recently on 180 grain vinyl with a full reproduction of the original album jacket. Both were reproduced by transferring vinyl to digital as all the master tapes had vanished over time. Both reproductions are a feat of audio engineering and the transfers are almost without flaw.

Those with an interest in Krautrock or early progressive rock will not want to miss this jewel from it's glory years.

I loved this album right from the very first notes.Yes this is unique and strange with these vocals that are mournful and urgent in a dark Acid Folk style similar to COMUS and JAN DUKES DE GREY but in a Krautrock style. Lots of floating organ and prominant bass with fuzzed out sounding guitar.The lyrics are meaningful and very well done. And hey these guys are from Austria ! A Krautrock band from Austria ?

"Paternoster" opens with floating organ with those vocals to open. His vocals have so much emotion connected to them and the words are so meaningful. When the vocals stop a beat comes in before 3 minutes followed by the organ and guitar as the tempo picks up. How good is this ! "Realization" opens with drums as the guitar lights it up. Vocals and prominant bass join in as well. The vocals stop and it settles back with organ and drums leading. The vocals are back for the final minute with the guitar grinding it out. "Stop These Lines" is dark with sparse sounds coming and going. The organ comes in as it starts to build. Eerie stuff. The organ comes floating to the forefront before 2 1/2 minutes and mournful vocals follow. Vocals stop after 5 minutes and the music gets more intense as the guitar solos over top.Vocals join the intensity.

"Blind Children" opens with organ and bass as sparse drums and guitar help out. Vocals after a minute and a full sound before 3 minutes. Drums only follow but not for long. A great sounding instrumental section here then it settles back. Vocals are back 5 1/2 minutes in. "Old Danube" is a rare up tempo track with drums and organ standing out. It does settle with vocals before 1 1/2 minutes then picks back up when the vocals stop. Contrasts continue. "The Pope Is Wrong" is haunting with pulsating organ that comes and goes. Bass comes to the fore. This is great ! Guitar arrives around 2 minutes when the organ stops. Drums follow. Organ is back then we get vocals for the first time around 4 1/2 minutes saying "Poor old man...who needs you to believe in God". Amen brother ! "Mammoth Opus" is the 9 minute closer. Spacey sounds and bass to start. Organ before 2 minutes followed by a beat. It settles 4 minutes in with vocals and floating organ. Vocals stop and the tempo picks up before 6 minutes. What a way to end the album.