Novalis (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Jürgen Wentzel, Heino Schünzel |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | Progressive rock music albums |
Novalis was a progressive rock ensemble originating from Germany during the 1970s. Their prominent records include Sommerabend and Wer Schmetterlinge lachen hört.
Band history
In 1971, vocalist Jürgen Wentzel and bassist Heino Schünzel placed an advertisement in a Hamburg newspaper, seeking musicians. This led to the addition of organist Lutz Rahn and drummer Hartwig Biereichel. Alongside guitarist Carlo Karges, they initially performed as Mosaik before adopting the name Novalis. Following their first album release in 1973, Wentzel departed, prompting Schünzel to take over vocal duties. Karges, who later joined Nena's lineup, was succeeded by Detlef Job. The group welcomed Austrian singer Fred Mühlböck in 1976.
Originally performing with English lyrics, the band transitioned to German language songs in 1975, influenced by producer Achim Reichel. Their repertoire blended original compositions with poetry from the Romantic writer Novalis, whose name they bore.
With Mühlböck's unique vocal style, Novalis reached their peak commercial success and gained some international attention through albums such as Sommerabend, Brandung, and Vielleicht Bist Du Ein Clown?. In 1978, keyboardist Lutz Rahn released his solo project titled Solo-Trip.
The 1979 concept album Flossenengel, centered on the theme of whaling, saw its profits donated to the World Wildlife Fund.
Entering the early 1980s, Novalis' sound was considered outdated amidst the emergence of the Neue Deutsche Welle. After undergoing several personnel changes and stylistic adjustments, the band dissolved following their final album Nach Uns Die Flut in 1985. That year, guitarist Günther Brackmann participated in tours with them. In 1993, Rahn and Biereichel curated a live compilation featuring performances from their most successful era.
Members
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Discography
- Banished Bridge, 1973
- Novalis, 1975
- Sommerabend (Summer Evening), 1976
- Konzerte (Concerts), 1977
- Brandung (Tide), 1977
- Vielleicht bist du ein Clown? (Maybe You're a Clown?), 1978
- Wer Schmetterlinge lachen hört (Who Hears Butterflies Laughing), 1978
- Sonnenwende (Solstice), 1978
- Flossenengel (Angel with Fins), 1979
- Augenblicke (Moments), 1981
- Neumond (New Moon), 1982
- Visionen (Visions), 1982
- Sterntaucher (Star Diver), 1983
- Bumerang (Boomerang), 1984
- Nach uns die Flut (After Us the Flood), 1985
- Novalis lebt! (live compilation), 1993
- Flossenengel (compilation), 1995
External links
- Novalis at germanrock.de (in German)
- Novalis featured on Rock In Deutschland CD-ROM (in German)
- Novalis profile on Babyblaue Prog-Reviews (in German)
- The Novalis Story (in German)