Liesa Van Der AA

The foreboding crawl of the Hammond organ is what made Van Der Graaf Generator one of the darkest and most engrossing of all the early progressive bands. On H to He Who Am the Only One, the brooding tones of synthesizer and oscillator along with Peter Hammil's distinct and overly ominous voice make it one of this British band's best efforts…

Beginning as a Peter Hammill solo effort following the dissolution of the first Van Der Graaf Generator, this quickly recorded album brought Hammill together with producer John Anthony and caused the reformation of the band (which immediately thereafter shifted personnel once again). A raw, energetic effort that sometimes did little to show off the young Hammill's talents, the album nevertheless has some fine moments that hint at the possibilities for future releases…

In April 2010 Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton and Guy Evans undertook some intensive tracking sessions in Cornwall, arranging, rehearsing and recording the album in a week. Over the next few months the tracks were overdubbed, edited and adapted by the band in their own studios, and by September the project was ready to be mixed by legendary producer Hugh Padgham (the first time anybody outside the band has been entrusted such responsibility). After three weeks at Hugh's studio, Sofasound, "A Grounding in Numbers" was complete. With a fantastic clarity and depth of sound, and a helter-skelter stretch of tunes, "A Grounding In Numbers" sees VDGG pushing ever further forward into the twenty-first century, and their fanbase is certain to enjoy this strong, cohesive set.

"Do Not Disturb" is the band’s 13th studio album and was recorded in the closing months of 2015 and the Spring of 2016. A true group effort, Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton and Guy Evans continue to follow in the tradition of Van Der Graaf Generator by delivering an album that is both powerful and possesses and emotive beauty. "Do Not Disturb" is another highlight of the band’s career, during which their music has been influential on successive generations of musicians. It is surely one of the key album releases of 2016.