Krautrock is a term that describes a diverse and influential musical movement. It emerged in West Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Krautrock bands blended elements of psychedelic rock, electronic Music, avant-garde, jazz, funk, and other genres to create a unique and experimental sound that challenged the conventions of rock music.

In this article, we will introduce you to 10 must-listen krautrock bands from the 1970s that helped shape the history and future of music. These bands are not ranked in any particular order. Instead, they represent a variety of styles and approaches that fall under the krautrock umbrella. We will also provide some examples of their songs and albums that you can check out if you want to explore their music further.

1. Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk is perhaps one of the most famous and influential krautrock bands of all time. Widely regarded as pioneers of electronic music and synth-pop, they have influenced countless artists across genres and generations.

Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider founded Kraftwerk in 1970. They experimented with synthesizers, drum machines, vocoders, and other electronic devices to create minimalist, robotic, and futuristic music. Moreover, some of their most iconic albums include Autobahn (1974), Trans-Europe Express (1977), The Man-Machine (1978), and Computer World (1981).

Some of their most popular songs include:

• Autobahn: A 22-minute epic that simulates a drive on the German motorway, featuring catchy melodies, ambient sounds, and vocoder vocals.
• The Model: A synth-pop classic that showcases Kraftwerk’s catchy hooks, dry humor, and sleek production.
• Radioactivity: A haunting and hypnotic song that warns about the dangers of nuclear power, featuring Morse code, Geiger counter sounds, and eerie vocals.

2. Can

Can was another influential and innovative krautrock band that formed in 1968. They are known for their eclectic and experimental style that incorporated elements of rock, jazz, funk, world music, and avant-garde.

A rotating lineup of musicians comprised Can. But the core members included Holger Czukay (bass, tapes), Irmin Schmidt (keyboards), Jaki Liebezeit (drums), and Michael Karoli (guitar). They also collaborated with various vocalists, such as Malcolm Mooney, Damo Suzuki, and Kenji “Damo” Suzuki.

Some of their most acclaimed albums include Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyasi (1972), Future Days (1973), and Soon Over Babaluma (1974).

Some of their most notable songs include:

• Halleluwah: A 18-minute masterpiece that showcases Can’s improvisational skills, featuring a funky groove, psychedelic effects, and Damo Suzuki’s chanting vocals.
• Vitamin C: A catchy and groovy song that features a memorable drum pattern, a funky bass line, and Damo Suzuki’s distorted vocals.
• I Want More: A disco-inspired song that became Can’s only hit single, featuring a catchy synth riff, a danceable beat, and a simple chorus.

3. Neu!

Neu! was a krautrock band that formed in 1971 by Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother, who were former members of Kraftwerk. They are known for their minimalist and repetitive style that created a sense of motion and speed.

Neu! was influenced by the German motorik beat, which is a steady 4/4 rhythm that drives the music forward. They also experimented with guitar feedback, tape loops, and other effects to create atmospheric and ambient sounds. They were one of many krautrock bands that experimented with their music.

The band only released three albums in the 1970s: Neu! (1972), Neu! 2 (1973), and Neu! ’75 (1975). Influential and groundbreaking albums have inspired genres such as post-punk, new wave, indie rock, and post-rock.

Some of their most essential songs include:

• Hallogallo: A 10-minute track that exemplifies the motorik beat, featuring a steady drum pattern, a simple guitar riff, and a soaring melody.
• Hero: A proto-punk song that features a fast and furious tempo, a distorted guitar, and a rebellious vocal.
• Isi: A melodic and dreamy song that features a synth arpeggio, a gentle guitar, and a soothing vocal.

4. Faust

Faust was a krautrock band that formed in 1971 by a group of musicians who wanted to create a new and radical music. They are known for their avant-garde and experimental style that challenged the boundaries of music and art.

Faust used unconventional instruments, such as saws, hammers, and drills, to create noise and distortion. They also used tape manipulation, collage, and editing to create complex and unpredictable compositions.

The band eleased four albums in the 1970s: Faust (1971), So Far (1972), The Faust Tapes (1973), and Faust IV (1973). Influential and innovative albums have influenced genres such as industrial, noise, and ambient music.

Some of their most remarkable songs include:

• Why Don’t You Eat Carrots: A 10-minute collage that opens their debut album, featuring snippets of various songs, sounds, and genres, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, classical music, and opera.
• It’s a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl: A catchy and quirky song that features a simple piano melody, a repetitive vocal, and a saxophone solo.
• Krautrock: A 12-minute instrumental that features a hypnotic and droning rhythm, a distorted guitar, and a feedback loop.

5. Tangerine Dream

Tangerine Dream was a krautrock band that formed in 1967 by Edgar Froese. He was later joined by various musicians, such as Klaus Schulze, Christopher Franke, and Peter Baumann. Their electronic and ambient style has crafted a cosmic and mystical sound.

Tangerine Dream used synthesizers, sequencers, keyboards, and other electronic devices to create atmospheric and melodic music. They also used improvisation, modulation, and experimentation to create dynamic and evolving compositions. They were one of few krautrock bands that were unique with their sound.

The band released several albums in the 1970s, such as Electronic Meditation (1970), Phaedra (1974), Rubycon (1975), Stratosfear (1976), and Ricochet (1975). They are considered to be influential and pioneering albums that influenced genres such as ambient, new-age, and electronic music.

Some of their most outstanding songs include:

• Phaedra: A 17-minute epic that features a pulsating sequencer, a soaring synth, and a haunting mellotron.
• Rubycon Part One: A 17-minute track that features a dark and mysterious synth, a rhythmic percussion, and a floating flute.
• Stratosfear: A 10-minute track that features a catchy and melodic synth, a groovy bass, and a classical guitar.

6. Cluster

Cluster was a krautrock band that formed in 1971 by Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius, who were former members of Kluster. They are known for their minimalist and ambient style that created a warm and organic sound.

Cluster used synthesizers, keyboards, guitars, and other instruments to create simple and harmonic music. They also used loops, drones, and effects to create textured and layered sounds.

The band released several albums in the 1970s, such as Cluster (1971), Zuckerzeit (1974), Sowiesoso (1976), and Grosses Wasser (1979). Influential and innovative albums have shaped genres such as ambient, electronic, and experimental music.

Some of their most remarkable songs include:

• Caramel: A 3-minute track that features a sweet and melodic synth, a gentle guitar, and a soft percussion.
• Sowiesoso: A 9-minute track that features a warm and harmonic synth, a soothing guitar, and a subtle drum.
• Hollywood: A 4-minute track that features a catchy and funky synth, a groovy bass, and a playful guitar.

7. Popol Vuh

Popol Vuh was a krautrock band that formed in 1970 by Florian Fricke. He who was later joined by various musicians, such as Daniel Fichelscher, Djong Yun, and Conny Veit. Their spiritual and ethereal style has crafted a sacred and mystical sound, setting them apart from other krautrock bands.

Popol Vuh used synthesizers, keyboards, guitars, and other instruments to create atmospheric and melodic music. They also used vocals, chants, and choirs to create a vocal and lyrical dimension.

The band released several albums in the 1970s, such as In den Gärten Pharaos (1971), Hosianna Mantra (1972), Einsjäger & Siebenjäger (1974), and Aguirre (1975). They are considered to be influential and inspiring albums that influenced genres such as ambient, new-age, and world music.

Some of their most outstanding songs include:

• In den Gärten Pharaos: A 17-minute track that features a hypnotic and droning synth, a tribal percussion, and a haunting flute.
• Hosianna Mantra: A 10-minute track that features a beautiful and serene piano, a soothing guitar, and a heavenly vocal.
• Aguirre I: A 7-minute track that features a majestic and melancholic synth, a delicate guitar, and a choral vocal.

8. Amon Düül II

Amon Düül II was a krautrock band that formed in 1968 by a group of musicians who were part of a radical political commune. They are known for their psychedelic and progressive style that created a wild and adventurous sound.

Amon Düül II used guitars, keyboards, drums, and other instruments to create complex and diverse music. They also used vocals, lyrics, and effects to create a narrative and expressive dimension.

The band released several albums in the 1970s, such as Phallus Dei (1969), Yeti (1970), Tanz der Lemminge (1971), and Wolf City (1972). Influential and groundbreaking albums have shaped genres such as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and hard rock.

Some of their most essential songs include:

• Phallus Dei: A 20-minute track that features a heavy and distorted guitar, a powerful and chaotic drum, and a screaming and chanting vocal.
• Archangel Thunderbird: A 3-minute track that features a catchy and rocking guitar, a driving and energetic drum, and a singing and shouting vocal.
• Surrounded by the Stars: A 8-minute track that features a melodic and cosmic synth, a groovy and funky bass, and a harmonious and whimsical vocal.

9. Ash Ra Tempel

Ash Ra Tempel was a krautrock band that formed in 1971 by Manuel Göttsching, Hartmut Enke, and Klaus Schulze, who was a former member of Tangerine Dream. They are known for their cosmic and ambient style that created a spacey and trance-like sound. The were one of few bands that stood out from the other krautrock bands.

Ash Ra Tempel used guitars, synthesizers, drums, and other instruments to create atmospheric and rhythmic music. They also used improvisation, modulation, and experimentation to create dynamic and evolving compositions.

The band released several albums in the 1970s, such as Ash Ra Tempel (1971), Schwingungen (1972), Join Inn (1973), and Starring Rosi (1973). Influential and pioneering albums have shaped genres such as space rock, ambient, and electronic music.

Some of their most remarkable songs include:

• Amboss: A 19-minute track that features a soaring and scorching guitar, a pulsating and hypnotic synth, and a pounding and relentless drum.
• Schwingungen: A 19-minute track that features a melodic and floating guitar, a shimmering and ethereal synth, and a gentle and soothing drum.
• Daydream: A 5-minute track that features a sweet and dreamy guitar, a soft and delicate synth, and a lovely and charming vocal.

10. Harmonia

Harmonia was a krautrock band that formed in 1973 by Michael Rother, who was a former member of Neu!, and Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius, who were members of Cluster. They are known for their minimalist and electronic style that created a smooth and elegant sound.

Harmonia used synthesizers, guitars, keyboards, and other instruments to create simple and harmonic music. They also used loops, drones, and effects to create textured and layered sounds.

The band released two albums in the 1970s: Musik von Harmonia (1974) and Deluxe (1975). Influential and innovative albums have shaped genres such as ambient, electronic, and indie rock.

Some of their most outstanding songs include:

• Watussi: A 6-minute track that features a catchy and rhythmic synth, a groovy and melodic guitar, and a crisp and clear drum.
• Deluxe (Immer Wieder): A 9-minute track that features a funky and syncopated synth, a rocking and distorted guitar, and a lively and energetic drum.
• Sehr Kosmisch: A 10-minute track that features a warm and soothing synth, a gentle and relaxing guitar, and a subtle and minimal drum.

The Bottom Line

These are 10 must-listen krautrock bands from the 1970s that you should check out if you want to discover the history and diversity of this musical movement.

They are not the only krautrock bands, but they are some of the most influential and innovative ones that helped shape the history and future of music.

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