Light of Darkness (1970)

Kontunuując wątek prezentujący nieznane zespołu grupy z kręgu, który roboczo pozwalam sobie nazwać "rynsztokowego" bluesa - kolej na Light of Darkness. O dziwo jest to niemiecki band powstały gdzieś pod koniec roku 1969 w Hamburgu, czyli na dobrą sprawę powinien nawiązywać do kraut rocka. Grupa jednak hołdowała tradycyjnemu, bluesowo-garażowemu brzmieniu spod znaku Stackwaddy, Captaina Beefheart'a czy przedstawionego wcześniej Red Dirt. Grupę założyło trzech Szkotów mieszkających w Niemczech. Praktycznie niewiele wiadomo o historii Light Of Darkness. W roku 1970 nagrali dla wytwórni Philips swój jedyny album, który w wersji analogowej jest obecnie rarytasem (na CD wznowiła go Second Battle). Repertuar na niej to kilka porywających, mocno energetycznych nagrań, z których na szczególną uwagę zasługuje ponad 9-cio miutowa wersja utworu Tony Joe White'a (zamierzam poświęcić mu oddzielny temat) - "Soul Francisco". Po nagraniu płyty słuch o grupie zaginął. Możne się tylko domyśleć, że zostało to spowodowane finansowymi kłopotami oraz modą na "kraut rocka" promowanym wówczas w niemieckich mediach.

Byron Grant - guitar, violin
Mike Reoch - bass, harp, keyboards, flute
John Latimer - vocal, percussion
Manfred Bebert - drums

They created an original sound, influenced by heavy rhythm'n'blues, in order to succeed. Mike and Byron, both former school members, were born in Brechen City, Scotland. They had played together in different bands for many years. After amazing experiences as opener for some early Rolling Stones gigs in Germany they settled down in the club scene in Hamburg and met a real useful singer, keyboard player and Star-Club veteran called John Latimer. They were three Scots now. A short time later, Manfred Beben, the only German, was recruited for drum duties. Light Of Darkness appeared on the stage of the business. Our fabulous four came into contact to Mr. Herben Hildebrandt, a member of a very famous German beat-group called The Rattles and producer, who had lots of effective contacts to major labels. LOD recorded several demos, which had been sent to Philips. The result was a great success.

Because of their record-deal with Philips 1970 became an important year in the bands career and everything still looked rosy. All the album recordings were produced in a real professionell sound by Herbert Hildebrandt. Unfortunately Philips wasn't able to give the band the necessary support. The artwork missed usual liner-notes and other important information. Instead of writing about LOD's musical talent and the characteristic of their songs the promoters gave a false picture of the group: "...No musically scheme... a bit progressive, a little psychedelic... blues influences... also hard rock... butal sosome folk... three Scots and one German, who break into a laugh by listening to Scot's jokes... no style..."

No reviews, no stories in magazines and last but not least hardly any public interest in LOD was the result of such a management. While LOD still toured through Germany and Europe and played many gigs at Krautrock festivals, the Company dropped the group again. Disappointed with this development and lacking money for their living, LOD gave up their career and split. The members spread on different ways (..) (Reinhart Kotzsch - Second Battle)

Found on orexisofdeath

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