Steppenwolf Steppenwolf (1968){1997,ucdc 714}

Steppenwolf entered the studio for their recording debut with a lot of confidence - based on a heavy rehearsal schedule before they ever got signed - and it shows on this album, a surprisingly strong debut album from a tight hard rock outfit who was obviously searching for a hook to hang their sound on. The playing is about as loud and powerful as anything being put out by a major record label in 1968, though John Kay's songwriting needed some development before their in-house repertory would catch up with their sound and musicianship. On this album, the best material came from outside the ranks of the active bandmembers: "Born to Be Wild" by ex-member Mars Bonfire, which became not only a chart-topping high-energy anthem for the counterculture (a status solidified by its use in Dennis Hopper's movie Easy Rider the following year)…

Cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue from Steppenwolf features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players) and the latest remastering. The cardboard sleeve faithfully replicates the US LP artwork, including its aluminium foil surface. Also comes with bonus sleeve that reproduces the design of Japan Limited Edition LP. Part of a 8-album Steppenwolf mini LP SHM-CD reissue series featuring albums "Steppenwolf," "The Second," "At Your Birthday Party," "Early Steppenwolf," "Monster," "Live Steppenwolf," "Steppenwolf 7," and "For Ladies Only." Becomes cardboard sleeve reissue for the first time.

Steppenwolf is a Canadian-American rock band, prominent from 1968 to 1972. The group was formed in late 1967 in Los Angeles by lead singer John Kay, keyboardist Goldy McJohn, and drummer Jerry Edmonton (all formerly in Canadian band The Sparrows). Guitarist Michael Monarch and bass guitarist Rushton Moreve were recruited by notices placed in Los Angeles-area record and musical instrument stores…

Steppenwolf entered the studio for their recording debut with a lot of confidence – based on a heavy rehearsal schedule before they ever got signed – and it shows on this album, a surprisingly strong debut album from a tight hard rock outfit who was obviously searching for a hook to hang their sound on. The playing is about as loud and powerful as anything being put out by a major record label in 1968, though John Kay's songwriting needed some development before their in-house repertory would catch up with their sound and musicianship. On this album, the best material came from outside the ranks of the active bandmembers: "Born to Be Wild" by ex-member Mars Bonfire, which became not only a chart-topping high-energy anthem for the counterculture (a status solidified by its use in Dennis Hopper's movie Easy Rider the following year), but coined the phrase heavy metal, thus giving a genre-specific name to the brand of music that the band played (and which was already manifesting itself in the work of bands like Vanilla Fudge and the just-emerging Led Zeppelin)…