Released in 1973 on bacillus records, “From Books And Dreams” is the second album by German-British Progressive Rock group Message and is widely regarded as the band’s definitive statement as well as one of the darker and more atmospheric releases associated with the early German Progressive underground.
At the time of recording, the group consisted of Scottish vocalist, saxophonist and occasional Mellotron player Tom McGuigan, guitarist Allan Murdoch, bassist Horst Stachelhaus — later known through Birth Control — and drummer Günther Klingel. Recorded in March 1973 at Dierks Studios near Cologne and produced by Peter Hauke, the album emerged during one of the most creatively fertile periods of the bacillus label catalogue.
Musically, “From Books And Dreams” occupies a distinctive position between Heavy Progressive Rock, Krautrock, and early Symphonic Space Rock. Across extended compositions such as “Dreams And Nightmares,” Message combined Heavy guitar-driven passages, hypnotic repetition, Psychedelic atmospheres, saxophone improvisation and dynamic structural shifts into a sound frequently compared by listeners and reviewers to Nektar, Van der Graaf Generator, and early British Heavy Progressive acts, while still maintaining a character strongly rooted in the German underground scene of the early 1970s.
Unlike many Cosmic or Electronic-oriented Krautrock productions of the era, the album emphasizes tension, darkness and dramatic movement. Tracks such as “Sigh” and the two-part “Dreams And Nightmares” move between aggressive Hard Rock sections, experimental interludes and spacious Psychedelic passages, creating a constantly shifting atmosphere that has led many collectors to describe the album as one of the most overlooked Heavy Progressive recordings to emerge from Germany during the period.
The album’s striking gatefold artwork featuring a snake-entwined skull further reinforced its mysterious and dreamlike character and has since become iconic among collectors of Progressive and Krautrock vinyl. Original bacillus pressings are now considered highly sought-after rarities within international collector circles.
Originally issued on vinyl in 1973, “From Books And Dreams” remains a singular fusion ofHeavy Progressive Rock, Psychedelic experimentation and German underground atmosphere.
This release is part of the bacillus records archive on Bandcamp.
Purchase “From Books And Dreams” on Bandcamp: https://bacillusrecords.bandcamp.com/album/from-books-and-dreams-1973
Tracklist:
01. Sleep! 02:52
02. Dreams and Nightmares (Dreams) 12:39
03. Turn Over! 04:01
04. Sigh 08:07
05. Dreams and Nightmares (Nightmares) / Introducing the Myth incl. The Unpleasant Spell 13:27
Lineup:
Tommy McGuigan / Vocals, Sax, Mellotron and Lyrics
Horst Stachelhaus / Bass
Allan Murdoch / Guitar
Günther Klingel / Drums
Special thanks to our faithful roadies Rab and Werner for congas and vibraphone, Peter and Ingeborg for wine and heavy breathing, and of course to the whole Dierks family for putting up with us.
Not forgetting Brazil for good vibes.
The idea for “The Myth” came from the book “The Crystal Cave” by Mary Stewart. “Dreams And Nightmares” explain themselves.