The difference, by ear
Zeuhl is the French parallel, arriving at similar strangeness through jazz and opera rather than through minimalism and machines.
Zeuhl is sung cleanly where Krautrock is mostly instrumental, and swings further either way: 90 to 160 bpm against 120 to 150. To hear the difference, play Can next to Magma. Zeuhl grew out of Krautrock, two years later.
In figures
Krautrock
Where it sits
Rock › Psychedelic rock › Krautrock
In short
A tireless motorik beat, studio improvisation and a refusal of the chorus. It shaped post-punk, post-rock and electronic music.
How it sounds
- The motorik beat: four to the floor, unvarying, for ten to twenty minutes.
- Studio improvisation later assembled at the mixing desk - the tape is an instrument.
- A refusal of the chorus, of virtuoso solos and of American blues.
Key acts
- Can
- Neu!
- Faust
- Amon Düül II
Start here
The pickNeu! - Hallogallo. Ten minutes that fed four decades of music.
Full page →Zeuhl
Where it sits
Rock › Psychedelic rock › Krautrock › Zeuhl
In short
Operatic rock sung in an invented language, with fretless bass and choir. A tiny French branch with fanatical disciples.
How it sounds
- Distorted fretless bass played as a lead instrument.
- Multi-part choir singing in Kobaïan, a language the band invented.
- Odd meters with repetitive, martial construction.
Key acts
- Magma
- Koenjihyakkei
- Ruins
Start here
The pickMagma - Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh. It resembled nothing then and resembles nothing now.
Full page →