Death Walks Behind You
by Atomic Rooster Model Castle UsAverage Rating: 
List Price: $9.98 / Sale Price: $9.98
Customer Response
"Sleeping For Years" it is time to shake the foundation
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.
Vincent Cranes greatest contribution to the 2nd Rooster is that there even was a follow-up to the amazing self-titled debut. With Carl Palmer going to Emerson, Lake, & Palmer and Nick Graham heading toward the improvisational outfit "Skin Alley" it seemed a musical death walked behind. Cranes genius should increase a few more points for the replacements. Paul Hammond (First recording session was with Rooster) may not be Palmer but his drumming is tremendous in a demanding album both mentally and physically. John Du Cann from Andromeda (Psychedelic) came aboard as well. Cann walked through the door as a guitar player and singer. Another musician didn't replace Graham's bass. Vincent Crane used the Ray Manzarek (The Doors) idea to cover the bass from the keyboards.
"Death Walks Behind You" The Title track (Fitting as the opener) with the power, conviction, and total gloom is a monsoon. Seeking and destroying everything in its path. A shock to the mind and senses. It is one of the finest tunes from the era and the record was first getting started!
"Vug" already showed the musical diversity. More to the progressive rock sound with all instrumentation, it doesn't need lyrics to engross you every second.
"Tomorrow Night" became the most remembered tune on the album. Catchy, clever, but not common in its construction. There are the Rooster intangibles throughout.
"Seven Streets" brings us back to the darkness. The band keeps us in search for the light. The energy and aggression is an example of why many metal fans of early Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult proudly display this masterpiece in their collections.
"Sleeping For Years" continues the onslaught. The speakers grab you by the throat. The reason Rooster gained such respect (Especially in Europe) they didn't rely on the cliché riffs and simple power chords. There were more complex structures to their compositions.
"I Can't Take It No More" (A John Du Cann penned tune) brings down the altitude only a bit. The words and the music blend as one. Crane stays more in the background, allows the guitar, and drums to be the focal points.
"Nobody Else" Turnabout is fair play. The piano of Crane dominates the spotlight or so we are lead to believe. The first half of the song is Crane solo but then the troops are brought in and it is a full throttle takeover. The pain is evident and we feel it "My whole world has gone away." The most overlooked of the eight original tracks. Give this a couple of listenings to fully appreciate the pain.
"Gershatzer" can be summed up in five words THEY GET RIGHT TO IT. Another instrumental (With a drum-solo to boot) of explosive passion.
Can a five star recording get better? If you get the bonus tracks it does! "The Devil's Answer demo has Carl Palmer and the BBC material will further the destruction (In a good way).
One of the best recordings of its time. The fidelity is fine!
Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
Classic Gem
I had the good fortune to see this band at a festival in the early 70's
The material on this album is as interesting as it was then--My personal favorite is "Tomorrow Night"--Old Hippee music is still enjoyable in this age of digital tunes, and these guys used quite a few gizmos that were available in their day--talk about Jammin' on the Hammond!!!
An unheralded classic
There was so much good much in the sixties and early seventies that it's not surprising some wonderful albums and even groups are now largely forgotten. Atomic Rooster is one such group and "Death Walks Behind You" was their best studio album. It was influential in the rise of heavy metal, was one of the best albums for taking advantage of separate stereo channels (listen for the guitars to cross over each other from one end of the room to the other), and is laden with great songs. Highly recommended
GREAT PROG ROCK
I agree with Joe completely, especially concerning the alledged 'hiss'. I actually listened to that portion of "Nobody Else" several times even with my eyes closed and heard nothing but the music itself. The sound of the entire disc is fantastic. With the bonus tracks, the length is just over 75 min.
Classic Progressive Rock at its Finest
Don't be fooled. The so-called "tape noise" mentioned below is so insignificant in the scope of the album that it's hardly even noticable at all. You can't hear it unless you feel the urge to press your ear against your speaker and count the seconds until it begins. In fact, this noise is so quiet and so subtle, who's to say what it really is. Whatever you do, don't let one person's opinion (which is highly blown out of proportion) affect your decision about buying one of progressive rock's greatest masterpieces. The album has never sounded better than this remaster, and the bonus tracks are the icing on the cake.
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