The band emerged in 1968 out of the scene of hippies and squatters in Munich, Germany, but their strong interest in music led them to go their own way. They took their name from the old Egyptian name Amon, being an Egyptian sun god, and Düül, a character from Turkish fiction. Their personnel changed constantly, but maybe the most permanent members were Renate Knaup (vocals), Chris Karrer (guitar, violin), John Weinzierl (guitar), Peter Leopold (drums), Falk Rogner (organ, synthesizer). After several successful albums with a style that reached from long improvisation to more structured rock songs they split. Later they tried several resurrections but none of them brought back the old days of glory.
Amon Düül was initially an anarchist commune, but it split into two factions, Amon Düül (sometimes called Amon Düül I for disambiguation) and Amon Düül II. ADI was more politically inclined, but ADII preferred making music. Their anarchist tendencies are clearly seen in their music, especially on the albums Yeti, Tanz Der Lemminge, and Wolf City.
The band can be seen as having two distinct periods in their glory days, the improvisational period and the compositional period. The improvisational period consisted of albums such as Phallus Dei and Yeti, and, to a lesser extent, Tanz Der Lemminge. These albums all featured long, improvisational tracks (Phallus Dei was entirely improvised, and disc two of Yeti was as well, but Tanz Der Lemminge only featured one improvisation). Their compositional period starts with Carnival in Babylon and is highlighted by Wolf City. In this period, the band moved to more structured composed pieces. Many fans saw this as a poor move, but some believed that Amon Duul II proved that they were just as good at composing as they were at improvising.
Amon Düül II's drummer Peter Leopold died on 8 November 2006.
Bass player Lothar Meid died on 3 November 2015.
Phallus Dei
Amon Düül II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
?
Seraphine cries how
Minotaurus ran
They broke the magic stick
(?Through his daughters heir?)
Oh, I'm getting sick
?
?
?
Is creeping 'round the mill
Akabara now
?
Seraphine cries how
Minotaurus ran
The song Phallus Dei by Amon Düül II is a unique and challenging piece of music with cryptic lyrics that are open to various interpretations. The song's opening verses mention Akabara, Seraphine, and Minotaurus, but it is unclear what or who they represent. It could be that they are mythological figures or fictional characters that are invoked as part of the song's surrealist imagery. The line "They broke the magic stick" suggests that some powerful force has been disrupted or destroyed, perhaps leaving chaos and confusion in its wake. The singer's repeated cries of "Oh, I'm getting sick / Oh, I feel so bad" could be a reflection of the singer's emotional state, or a comment on the state of the world at large.
The second half of the song consists of a series of brief, fragmented phrases that seem to be connected by some elusive pattern. Words like "Arcana", "Chaos", and "Delirium" suggest a world of arcane knowledge and hidden meaning, where reality is mutable and uncertain. The final lines of the song repeat the opening verses, suggesting that the cycle of disruption and rebirth is an ongoing process that repeats endlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
Akabara now
The current state of Akabara is unclear and undefined
?
The uncertain and ambiguous situation is stifling any progress or action
Seraphine cries how
Seraphine expresses her sorrow and despair in a wailing manner
Minotaurus ran
Minotaurus escaped from his confinement or captivity
They broke the magic stick
The object with the ability to simulate magic has been damaged or destroyed
(?Through his daughters heir?)
The reason for the magic stick's importance or ownership is unclear, but it may have been passed down through generations
Oh, I'm getting sick
A feeling of nausea or illness is being experienced by the singer
Oh, I feel so bad
The artist is experiencing emotional pain or regret
?
An unresolved issue or problem is causing confusion and distress
?
There is a sense of danger or unease in the surrounding environment
Is creeping 'round the mill
An entity or force is slowly and stealthily approaching the location of the mill
Akabara now
The current state of Akabara is still unclear and undefined
?
The uncertain and ambiguous situation persists, hindering any progress or action
Seraphine cries how
Seraphine continues to express her sorrow and despair in a wailing manner
Minotaurus ran
Minotaurus remains free and unrestrained
Contributed by Gavin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
A-Ri
00:03 01. Kanaan
04:04 02. Dem Guten, Schönen, Wahren
10:16 03. Luzifers Ghilom
18:50 04. Henriette Krötenschwanz
20:54 05. Phallus Die
Bonus Tracks
41:41 06.Freak Out Requiem I
45:43 07.Freak Out Requiem II
49:30 08.Freak Out Requiem III
50:12 09.Freak Out Requiem IV
58:01 10.Cymbals In The End
A-Ri
00:03 01. Kanaan
04:04 02. Dem Guten, Schönen, Wahren
10:16 03. Luzifers Ghilom
18:50 04. Henriette Krötenschwanz
20:54 05. Phallus Die
Bonus Tracks
41:41 06.Freak Out Requiem I
45:43 07.Freak Out Requiem II
49:30 08.Freak Out Requiem III
50:12 09.Freak Out Requiem IV
58:01 10.Cymbals In The End
manuel gerardo salas betancourt
GENIAL BANDA KRAUTROCK DARK, GOTICA, EXPERIMENTAL, SE ADELANTO A MUCHOS GRUPOS OSCUROS.
Ian Taylor
I am 65 and had this album in the purple cover, I gave my vinyl to my daughter so she has it. She was offered 45 quid for it by a collector; she turned it down I couldn't be without this amazing album and paid 25 quid on ebay for a cd of it. This album is the Krautrock pinnacle. It's simple but incredibly complex too. Nothing like it exists anymore and I doubt ever will.
C. Foster
@Ian Taylor there is still very experimental music going on, with social movements and increased understanding of existence... I think 2015-2025 will be like a 1960s for electronic music with all the "wave" genres. And this access is a form of experimentalism--anyone can find Russian disco, Mexican death metal, Canadian reggae music...
I still love classic krautrock records though, and have tons of vinyl. Get vinyl while you can, and broaden yourself on youtube while you can. Rock and roll is life!
Ian Taylor
@Deepinder Cheema Thanks for the info my friend, she still has it so I will pass that on. Respect.
Deepinder Cheema
You bought the UK Liberty edition with the blue and red cover? The one which Julian Cope bought at Woolworths in Tamworth. That is worth considerably more than £45, depending on condition any decent copy is £200 + . I have 2 when I thought I better buy them before they disappear.
hjerlmuda
@Ian Taylor thanks a lot! The Phallus Dei has brought to us the true Son of God, and he's our only hope in desperation but not many really seek, find and know Him 😢
Ian Taylor
@Ingo Meyer So wonderful listening by earphones, it’s transcendental. Peace.
Duvad Jidgo
Read through the comments. Just gotta say, you like what you like. Everybody, absolutely everybody likes something that somebody else thinks is total shite.
I would just like to say that this album is my favourite album of all time and space. I think I must've heard it about 2 or years after it came out so I'd be 9 or 10. It has been a constant when or things come and go.
I'd just like to finish with this. My brother told me he heard John Peel say, something along the lines of, music is like an apple-pie. Most people liked the sweet appley bit in the middle, he preferred the burnt crusty bit from the edge. I would just like to take that a little further. I like the wee bits left on the work-top that never even made it to the oven.
Kieran Daly
I had forgotten all about them but used to own several albums in the 70s. Interesting complex compositions.