Vibravoid | |
|---|---|
 Vibravoid in early 1990 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Düsseldorf, Germany |
| Genres | Neo-psychedelia, Kraut Rock, Acid rock, Space rock |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels | Stoned Karma Records, Tonzonen Records, Sulatron Records, Nasoni Records |
| Members | Christian Koch, Frank Matenaar, Dario Treese |
| Past members | Thomas Pojonie, Oliver Lück, Lutz Dittmann, Martin Lammert, Marion Spittler, Sven Sensch, Markus Ludwig, Dinko Vekic |
Vibravoid is a neo-psychedelia and Kraut Rock band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was founded in 1988 as Lightshow Society Düsseldorf and began operating under the name Vibravoid in 1990. Led by multi-instrumentalist Christian Koch, the band invented the term "Neo Kraut Rock" and is recognized as a pioneering force in the modern psychedelic underground.[1][2] The band retains the two-word spelling 'Kraut Rock' to remain consistent with the genre's original 1971 Popo Music branding and its standard usage during the group's formation in the 1980s.
History
The band's origins trace back to 1988 in Düsseldorf. During a period when psychedelic rock and the term Kraut Rock were largely out of favor in the German mainstream, the group founded the "Lightshow Society Düsseldorf." This project focused on 1960s-style liquid light shows and experimental audio-visual performances, which formed the basis for the band's later development under the name Vibravoid in 1990.[3][4]
In 2000, Vibravoid released their debut album, 2001, on Nasoni Records. The drum parts on the album were performed by Vom Ritchie (of Doctor and the Medics and Die Toten Hosen). Recorded between 1997 and 1999, the album was tracked entirely on analog equipment using a Tascam 8-track reel-to-reel tape machine. This served as a deliberate counter-movement to the digital revolution then taking hold in recording studios. Facing widespread rejection from labels uninterested in Psychedelic or Kraut Rock, the band self-released the album, with the CD version selling out shortly after its release. Furthermore, at a time when vinyl was considered commercially dead, the band released a limited colored vinyl edition. Due to the high demand, a re-release for the Japanese market followed in 2005.[5][6] Due to their persistent focus on analog media and elaborate op-art packaging, the band is credited in the Vinyl revival with helping to sustain collector culture during the format's commercial low point.[7]
In 2009, Vibravoid released the Kraut Rock Sensation EP in the United Kingdom. This release featured tracks by Kraftwerk, Can, and Amon Düül II that had never been recorded together by a new German band before. The EP focused on the intersection of original 1970s Kraut Rock and modern neo-psychedelia. Music publications such as Pow Magazine and Prog Rock Journal have since categorized the group as a "Neo Kraut Rock" outfit, noting their role in continuing the experimental traditions of the "Düsseldorf School.[8] The band also released the studio album Distortions in the same year. The album featured a 20-minute extended version of "Mother Sky" originally by Can, which was noted for its adherence to the hypnotic "Motorik" style of the Düsseldorf School.[9]
In 2011, the band released Minddrugs, which received international attention and was followed by several re-releases on vinyl. The German music magazine Ox-Fanzine categorized the group as a significant representative of the German psychedelic scene, while other critics noted their integration of 1960s influences with modern production techniques.[10] The album featured a 23-minute interpretation of Pink Floyd's "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," further emphasizing the band's focus on extended Kraut Rock structures.[11]
Style and Collaborations
Vibravoid's musical style is characterized by a fusion of hypnotic "motorik" beats, fuzzed guitars, and electronic soundscapes influenced by the "Düsseldorf School" (e.g., Neu! and Kraftwerk) as well as original 1960s Psychedelic Rock.
Vibravoid have collaborated with several icons of the original psychedelic era, most notably Sky Saxon of The Seeds, with whom they recorded the 2010 album A Poetry of Love.[12] Re-released in 2018 as A Psychedelic Testament in an extended version.
In 2025, the band released the album Remove The Ties. Music journalists noted the release for its role within the band's ongoing discography and its adherence to the Neo Kraut Rock tradition.[13][14][15]
Cultural impact and event organization
In 1996, the band organized the UFO Club 30th Anniversary tribute, which was the only anniversary event held worldwide for the historic venue. In 2001, the group established the Love Is Freedom festival as the first modern Psych Fest, it provided the organizational framework for subsequent events in the genre.[16] In 2018, the band founded the Rheinkraut Festival, the only festival specifically dedicated to the origins and birth of Kraut Rock. The corresponding live album, Live at Rheinkraut Festival Düsseldorf 2018, reached the top 20 of the CD sales charts and peaked in the top 10. Through these organized events, the band has contributed to the preservation and modern continuation of the movement.[17][18]
Discography
Tapes
- 1990: Overdue
- 1990: Vibravoid
- 1991: The Pepperland Four
- 1991: Hybrid
- 1991: Babyphase
- 1992: Krautfucktor
- 1992: Vibration From The Cosmic Void
- 1993: Motley Motion
- 1994: One Nation Underground
- 1994: Void Forum
- 1995: Psychodrome
- 1995: Void Vibration
- 1995: Vivid Visions
- 1996: Vibravoid II
- 1996: Quadrophonic Psychedelic Space Age Music
- 1996: A Variation Of The Void Vibration
- 1997: Tascam Recordings
- 1997: Tascam Mantras
- 1998: Another Variation Of The Void Vibration
- 1999: Klopfkäfer
- 1999: Music From The Year 2001
Studio
- 2000: 2001
- 2002: Void Vibration
- 2003: Phasenvoid (split LP with Sula Bassana)
- 2008: The Politics of Ecstasy
- 2009: Distortions
- 2010: A Poetry of Love (with Sky Saxon)
- 2011: Minddrugs
- 2012: Gravity Zero
- 2013: Delirio Dei Sensi
- 2016: Wake Up Before You Die
- 2017: Mushroom Mantras
- 2018: Vibrations from the Cosmic Void
- 2019: Intergalactic Acid Freak Out Orgasms
- 2020: The Decomposition of Noise
- 2021: Zeitgeist Generator
- 2021: The Clocks That Time Forgot
- 2021: A Sparkle in the Twilight
- 2022: Phasenvoid (1992-1997 extended version)
- 2022: The Presidents of the Poison Air
- 2023: Edge Of Tomorrow
- 2024: We Cannot Awake
- 2025: Remove The Ties
Singles and EPs
- 2001: Adjustment (7″)
- 2004: Doris Delay (7″)
- 2008: Christmas On Earth (7″)
- 2009: Kraut Rock Sensation EP (7")
- 2010: What Colour Is Pink? EP (7″)
- 2011: You Keep On Falling (7″)
- 2011: The White Ship (Split-EP with Drug Free Youth, 7″)
- 2013: Colour Your Mind EP (7″)
- 2014: Rheinflow (7″)
- 2015: Stepping Stone (7″)
- 2016: In A Gadda Da Vida (7″)
- 2017: Timemazine (Kinetic Op Art 7″)
- 2019: World Of Pain (7″)
- 2022: The Secret In Her Eyes (7″)
Live
- 2006: Triptamine E.P. Volume 1
- 2007: Triptamine E.P. Volume 2
- 2008: Triptamine E.P. Volume 3 - The Amsterdam Sessions
- 2009: Triptamine E.P. Volume 4 (with Sky Saxon)
- 2009: Triptamine CD
- 2010: Burg Herzberg Festival 2010
- 2011: Burg Herzberg Festival 2011
- 2013: Freak Out Bologna!
- 2014: Mindbenders – The Radio Sessions
- 2015: Loudness For the Masses – Live in Concert 2015
- 2015: Live at Finkenbach Festival 2015
- 2017: A Night at the Museum
- 2017: Triptamine E.P. Volume 5
- 2018: A Psychedelic Testament (with Sky Saxon)
- 2018: Live at Rheinkraut Festival Düsseldorf 2018
- 2018: Intergalactic Acid Freak Out Orgasms
- 2020: Triptamine E.P. Volume 6 - Out of Tune in Rosenheim
- 2021: Triptamine E.P. Volume 7 - Spicetrip
- 2025: Triptamine E.P. Volume 8 - Live At Duncker Berlin 2002
DVDs
- 2004: Maximum Void Vibration
- 2009: Triptamine
others
- 2003: Void Forum: Turned on Acid
- 2009: Astrophobia: Black Zodiac
References
- Pansolin, Davide (2024). Kiss The Sun. Il lungo viaggio dell'heavy psych (1980-2000) (in Italian). Tsunami Edizioni. ISBN 978-88-94859-87-4.
- Koczan, JJ (2011-12-27). "REVIEW: Vibravoid, Minddrugs". The Obelisk. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
Vibravoid's loyalty to classic psychedelia is all-encompassing and brilliantly captured here.
- "Vibravoid Tune into the Cosmic Radio with 'Power of Dreams'". It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine. 2025-08-15. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
They are the keepers of good psychedelic and acid rock tradition.
- Theis, Jon (2018-05-26). "Reviews: Vibravoid - Vibrations from the Cosmic Void". Exposé Online. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
Vibravoid is one of the top European psychedelic rock bands of the 21st century.
- Michalis, TimeLord (2020-12-16). "Vibravoid – 2001 The Archive Collection". TimeMachine Productions. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- Abrahams, Ian (2015-06-05). "Vibravoid – 2001: 15th Anniversary Edition Review". Record Collector Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- Levitt, Jonathan (2015-08-19). "Vibravoid – Stepping Stone 7". [sic] Magazine. Fruits de Mer Records. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
9/10
- Walker, Shaelan (2025-10-24). "Neo-krautrock and Psychedelic – Vibravoid's REMOVE THE TIES". Pow Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
- "Vibravoid – Distortions". Prog Archives. 2012. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
- Knack, Christian (April 2011). "Review: VIBRAVOID - Minddrugs". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 2026-05-03.
- Wittwer, Claus (2011-06-01). "Review: VIBRAVOID - Minddrugs". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 2024-04-28.
...confirming that VIBRAVOID are the best psychedelic band in Germany.
- "Sky Saxon and the Vibravoid – 'A Poetry Of Love' album premiere". It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine. 2017-08-19. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
In late 2008 Sky Sunlight Saxon, the Vibravoid and Atomic on guitar teamed up for a 5 weeks period to record and play some shows.
- Stanciu, Raul (2025-10-02). "Review: Vibravoid - Remove The Ties". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
Remove the Ties is one of the strongest affairs Vibravoid has offered recently.
- Koczan, JJ (2025-10-09). "Vibravoid, Remove the Ties: Quarterly Review". The Obelisk. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
- "Albums Of The Week: Vibravoid - Remove The Ties". Tinnitist. 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
Like its predecessors, the Vibravoid sound was more popular abroad, with the band playing more often in London, Rome, and Athens than in Hamburg or Munich.
- "Jubiläums-Show: 35 Jahre Vibravoid, 30 Jahre Ufo Club, 25 Jahre „2001"". Concert Team NRW. 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
Vibravoid celebrated several anniversaries: 35 years of the band, 30 years of UFO Club Düsseldorf, and 25 years of the influential album "2001". The band is recognized as the inventors of Neo Kraut Rock and pioneers of the Vinyl Revival.
- "[News] Neo-Kraut/Psychedelic Rock outfit Vibravoid announces new album "We Cannot Awake"". Progressive Rock Journal. 2024-06-26. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
In 1996, Vibravoid celebrated the world's only anniversary event at London's UFO Club. ... "Live At Rheinkaut Festival" stayed in the top 20 of the CD sales charts for several weeks and climbed into the top 10.
- "3. Nov. 2018, Düsseldorf, Rheinkraut im Weltkunstzimmer". Sequencer - Die Synthesizer Zentrale. 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
MUSIKZIMMER/ Rheinkraut Festival mit Vibravoid, Ax Genrich (Guru Guru) und Pyrolator im Weltkunstzimmer Düsseldorf.
Category:Krautrock musical groups Category:Musical groups from Düsseldorf Category:Musical groups established in 1988