Amon Düül II

The Profile

Amon Düül II are a German rock band associated with the krautrock scene, formed after a split from the Munich political/music commune Amon Düül. Reviews emphasize their early, dark, pagan-psychedelic and improvisational peak on Phallus Dei, Yeti, and Tanz der Lemminge, followed by more structured, song-oriented albums like Carnival In Babylon, Wolf City, and Vive La Trance.

From the reviews: the group originated from a politicized/anarchist-freak commune in/near Munich and split into Amon Düül I and Amon Düül II. Core figures repeatedly mentioned include Chris Karrer, John Weinzierl, Falk(-Ulrich) Rogner, Peter Leopold, and singer Renate Knaup; early albums are framed as a ‘triptych’ (Phallus Dei, Yeti, Tanz der Lemminge). Tanz der Lemminge is described as originally released as a double vinyl set in 1971; Yeti as a double LP; Vive La Trance as released in 1974; Live in London is linked to a 1973 tour in one review.

Across these reviews, Amon Düül II are portrayed as a pioneering German krautrock band born from a politicized Munich commune and split from Amon Düül I. The early run (Phallus Dei, Yeti, Tanz der Lemminge) is repeatedly framed as their peak: dark, pagan, experimental, and often improvisational. Later albums (Carnival In Babylon, Wolf City, Vive La Trance) are described as more structured and accessible, sometimes seen as a “betrayal,” but still frequently praised. Recurring touchstones include heavy percussion, cosmic/space-rock textures, gothic atmospheres, and comparisons to Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, and avant-garde influences.