Nektar: the Prog Rock legend

Today I invite you all to a journey to the past, more precisely, to the 70’s. It’s been a decade of intensive creativity and poetry not to mention revolutionary ideas. During this time, preciselly in 1969, Allan Freeman (keyboards & vocals), Roye Albrighton (guitars/vocals), Derek Moore (bass/ vocals), Ron Howden (drums) and Mick Brockett (lights/special effects) formed Nektar : a  Hard Rock inspired at first to later a reference on Prog Rock.

The Hamburg (GER) band, after the short Hard Rock inspired moment, has developed an obscure psychedelic sound common among bands from the same period but by listening to their first albums, we can see nice concepts based on melodic guitars and keyboards having a story told by the vocals a real innovation on that time. They’ve been one of the very first bands to use and explore the epic atmosphere and concept -we see nowadays in Doom,Gothic and Melodic Metal bands - not only on their songs but also on their effects.

Among Nektar’s albums there’re some masterpieces like: “ A Tab in the Ocean”(1972), “ Remember the Future”(1973), “Recycled” (1975) and “...Sounds Like This” (1973) proving  the skilled way to compose and the unique style created with each member’s singularities but with the common task of songwriting. And when it comes to “Journey to the Centre of the Eye” (1971), a real epic, the use of echoplex guitars and dual Mellotrons has presented the audience with more creativity and great songs.

Regrouped in 2002, after a break, Nektar has headlined the Nearfast with its complete line-up and also the synthesizer Larry Fast. This time also marks the first release of new material since the 70’s, “The Prodigal Son” (2001) which opened path to the following albums: “Evolution” (2004) and “Book of Days”(2008).

Nektar’s discography is composed by 12 studio albums,07 live albums plus 04 compilations. The band’s  past catalogue have  been remastered and released again so newer generations have the chance to have these works too. Now, in 2011 they’re in studio completing their 13th :” Juggernaut” but its release date hasn’t been announced yet.

So, as long the most Brittish of all German bands continue on the scene, the fans just like the legacy of Prog Rock are in great company for sure.    

For further information about Nektar, please access:

http://www.nektarmusic.com  -->Official Site