The History

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Four of the most sucsessfull Rock Groups of Germany come from Hannover,
Eloy, Jane, Scorpions and "Ramses".
It was been proven that, at the time, the guitar metropolis was also able to produce talents,
what before was only found in Hamburg, Munich and Berlin.
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The quintet "Ramses" was the youngest of these groups. Although "Ramses" was formed in the winter of 1972.
The band's name had been created by the former first guitar player who used to love old egypt culture,
one of it's kings being Ramses II. In the first two years the band underwent some changes.
The final formation was only reached in the begining of 1974, after the testing of several drummers,
in personal before the First LP "La Leyla" and second "Eternit Rise" - team had established.
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From the local status to the national sucsess "Ramses" started with a double jump in a beginners contest
for the magazine "Riebes Fachblatt", in the "Factory of Hamburg",
the group finished 6th between 67 other groups. In The festival "POP 74" in the "Hannoverschen
Niedersachsenhalle" they received from the jury the fisrt place.
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In the beginning of 1976 their first LP came out "La Leila",very well received by critics
and fans it sold 20.000 copies.
The magazine "Musikjoker" called "Ramses"the most important debut band of the year.
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From the USA they received positiv critics from the music professionals. "An excellent mix of jazz and
original progressive eletronic music, said the Rock Magazine "Rolling Stone".
Also, "a little cosmic, these german rock musicians stay permanently melodically in contact with the earth".
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"Ramses" made more than 300 conserts in all parts of Germany and Europe,
playing in various festivals with great sucsess.
In 1979, Herbert Natho and H. D. Klinkhammer have quit the group and so Mathias Möller
and Herbert Wolfslast joined the band.
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ETERNITY RISE
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In the second LP "Eternity Rise" consiously produced in two years. This second LP would not be a work done
in a hurry. "Ramses" wanted to overcome the inicial sucsess, for this it was necessary,
of course, that the new songs be tested in shows before they would enter the studio for 4 weeks,
what for the german groups was a long time. The LP has six songs, two of them,
"City Life" and "Wind, are part of a single. "Agitation Play" is one of the oldest and
favorite songs that have allways been played in conserts.
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THE "RAMSES'S MUSIC"
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Few german groups were able to make a unique music, with would turn out to be a acoustic mark,
"Ramses" was one of the few exceptions. The way to mix keyboards and electric guitar,
with the vocals based on "Herbert Natho"and "Winfried Langhost", wich were included more
as instruments as main vocals. This made the music of "Ramses" unique.
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"Ramses"didn't make only mega pieces of rock, in the first years they only played hard rock and melodic rock.
In "Eternity Rise" for example, we find "Wind" one of the softest songs,
with a folk ballad. In "City Life" it was including a chord orchestra.
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A NEW CONCEPT IN SHOWS
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"Ramses" worked in a new concept in tecnology for the shows, for these shows they invested 30.000DM.
The group took for the tournees theyr own stage, wich including curtains and hydraulics.
During the last music "Eternity Rise", a iluminated Pyramid would rise out of a white cloud.
The singer "Herbert Natho" dressed as an Blond/Black Angel would go into a sarcophagus,
at the same time as a big light shows,
and a lot of efects of fireworks like lightning and fire columns.

NEW 2000 CD "CONTROL ME"

Just in time for the 25th anniversary of Sky Records, the legendary Group Ramses releases its
fourth studio album after numerous live gigs and a creative sabbatical period.

The contemporary album is called „Control Me" to express new angles on rock music.
For the rock veterans from Hannover/Germany, it is the right time and one more reason to step into
the arena again and re-explore their stylistic roots.

As you know, Ramses  was substantially involved in the development of the “Krautrock” movement. During the years, each of the group members has gained experience and virtuosity  in their musical performance skills. Of course, time hasn't stood still for Norbert & Winfried Langhorst, Reinhard Schröter, Herbert Wolfslast, and Carsten Loll, but their musical concepts have undergone a remarkable development since the seventies, when the group was formed. Ramses  have devoted themselves to the production of 11 completely new compositions, creating an album that reflects a variety of influences and references.

This expression of musical creativity reflects both feelings and fun: controlling this new CD from the first to the last note. Each song is a replete piece of music in its own right. Stylistically Ramses rely solely on their own progressive expressions and skills. None of the album's musical content seems to be drawn from others, the songs develop their own aesthetics, and in a peculiar way, the various atmospheres combine and consolidate to form a coherent entity. The sources of inspiration are from everyday life. A dynamic interaction between love, sorrow and hope, where the past and the present connect time after time.

In addition to the enjoyment of  music you are also invited to a world of myth and legend. The CD cover
shows Ahriman, the God of Darkness. He is the symbol of evil and portrays the unbridled energy of
mankind on earth - a challenge for all of us to keep the devil inside under control and to protect ourselves
from sin, violence, and self-destruction. Other songs like Hold On , Control Me  or This Planet recall the relationship between these grave subjects. The lyrics also emanate realism and life's charms: this range
of emotions puts a new and vivid complexion on the music of this album.

A special highlight is provided by the song " Blues Of A Nation ", a homage to Lady Di in the form of a cult
ballad with vocal lines that will live in your head for some time. Throughout the whole album, progressive
guitar lines are embedded in wide celestial, cosmic sound layers  - an affecting panorama, where both
light-fantastic rhythms are mixed with clearly flowing melodies and multicoloured romantic impressions.
"Control Me"  is an almost archetypal album with original sound collages running all the way through
the new songs which will not only evoke memories to lovers of music from the past but will also
reveal more than just  "good feelings" to the younger generation.

With their proven mixture of musical experience and the sheer enjoyment of playing, Ramses are today
better able to carry the torch for an influential and rightful musical heritage.
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The Band

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Pictures

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You can download the complete audio file in Real Audio

Links


Official Home Page

Another Great Germany Bands

Contact Ramses

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All the informations of this page were sent by Herbert Wolfslast,
He is the Bass and 6&12-string guitar player of the group from last formation.

Every thing about  contact Herbert Wolfslast and Herbert Natho

Comments send E-Mail to: carlosv@gbl.com.br

Last Update 02/24/2002