Ash Ra Tempel was a German krautrock band led by guitarist Manuel Göttsching that was active from 1970 to 1976. This is their self-titled debut album which was released in 1971.
The band was formed in Berlin in 1970 by Göttsching, drummer Klaus Schulze, and bassist Hartmut Enke. All three members had previously played together in the short-lived group Eruption. Prior to that, Schnitzler and Schulze had worked together in Tangerine Dream.
Ash Ra Tempel's music was characterized by its use of long, droning guitars, spacey synthesizers, and cosmic lyrics. This album was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish them as one of the leading bands of the krautrock movement.
The band released a total of five albums during their original run, including Schwingungen (1972), Seven Up (1972), and Join Inn (1973). In 1973, Schulze left the band to pursue a solo career. Göttsching continued to release music under the name Ash Ra Tempel, but with a different lineup.
Ash Ra Tempel's music has been influential on a wide range of artists, including Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, and Can. They are one of the most important bands of the krautrock movement.
