A ranked map of West German experiment
Ten bands.One forward pulse.
Motorik rhythm, tape editing, communal improvisation, electronic systems and the freedom to discard inherited rock grammar. Ten different routes through a movement that never agreed on one sound.
How to use the list
Move through the complete top ten, then open any band history for the records, people and ideas behind the ranking.
Ranks 01–10
The motorik core and beyond
From Can’s collective editing and Neu!’s forward drive to Kraftwerk’s systems, kosmische drift and the pastoral edges of the movement.
01
Can
Cologne, West Germany · 1968–1978; later sessions to 1999 · Krautrock / Experimental Rock
02
Neu!
Düsseldorf, West Germany · 1971–1975; 1985–1986 sessions · Krautrock / Experimental Rock
03
Kraftwerk
Düsseldorf, West Germany · 1970–present · Krautrock / Electronic
04
Tangerine Dream
West Berlin, West Germany · 1967–present · Krautrock / Berlin School Electronic
05
Faust
Wümme, Lower Saxony, West Germany · 1971–1975; reunion from 1990 · Experimental Rock / Krautrock
06
Amon Düül II
Munich, West Germany · 1968–1981; later reunions · Krautrock / Psychedelic Rock
07
Popol Vuh
Munich, West Germany · 1969–2001 · Electronic / Progressive Folk / Film Music
08
Ash Ra Tempel
West Berlin, West Germany · 1970–1975; reunited 2000 · Krautrock / Space Rock
09
Cluster
West Berlin, West Germany · formed 1971; later reunions and recordings · Krautrock / Electronic / Ambient
10
Harmonia
Forst, West Germany · 1973–1976; reunited 2007–2009 · Krautrock / Electronic / Ambient
Keep digging
The pulse leaves the autobahn.
Continue into the album archive for the essential records and deeper experiments behind these ten histories.
Explore the classic album guides →