- German release 1976
Led Zeppelin's "Presence" (12" Vinyl LP, German release 1976) emerges as a sonic and visual marvel. Produced by Jimmy Page and Peter Grant, its unique cover design by Hipgnosis, featuring "The Object," signifies the band's enigmatic aura. With the album title strategically placed, this version stands as a testament to Led Zeppelin's musical prowess and artistic ingenuity during the vibrant musical landscape of 1976 Germany.
Led Zeppelin's "Presence," released as a 12" Vinyl LP album in Germany in 1976, stands as a significant musical relic, both in terms of its auditory impact and the visual symbolism encapsulated in its cover design. This version of the album, distinguished by having the title printed near the top right corner of the front cover, contributes to the unique narrative of the band's presence during its release period.
Produced under the careful guidance of Jimmy Page and Peter Grant, the album is a testament to Led Zeppelin's enduring musical prowess. The collaborative efforts of the band members are palpable throughout the tracks, creating a sonic landscape that resonated with the listeners of its time. The immersive experience provided by the vinyl format further enriched the connection between the audience and the music, capturing the essence of the era's music consumption.
The album cover, designed by the renowned Hipgnosis, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the overall package. The use of a black obelisk, simply known as "The Object," dominates both the front and back covers. This obelisk, a symbol of strength and mystery, encapsulates the band's ethos and leaves an indelible mark on the visual representation of the album.
In the context of the 1976 German release, the distinctive features of this version, such as the placement of the album title and the use of "The Object," contribute to the album's unique identity within the Led Zeppelin discography. The German release serves as a snapshot of the cultural and artistic milieu of the time, reflecting the attention to detail and creativity that characterized the music industry during that period.
Furthermore, the catalog number SSK 59 402 (59402) / ST-SS 763 559 (763559) under Swan Song Records adds historical significance, marking its place in the label's catalog and contributing to the broader narrative of Led Zeppelin's discography.
| Trivia;The black object on Led Zeppelin's "Presence" cover is simply called "The Object." It's an obelisk symbolizing the band's powerful and mysterious presence. The band is absent, leaving the object to represent their force and influence. Its meaning is open to interpretation, but it's intended to be a powerful visual metaphor for Led Zeppelin's impact. |
| Collector Notes: This version of Presence has the album title printed near the top right corner of the front cover (Other versions of this album have the album titled pressed/embossed without visible ink, or a sticker on the cover). |
| Music Genre: Hard Rock, Early Heavy Metal Music |
Album Production: Produced by Jimmy Page and Peter Grant Album Cover Design: Hipgnosis Hipgnosis was an English art group founded in 1968 by Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell, and Peter Christopherson. The group was known for their innovative and creative album covers, which became iconic in the music industry. Hipgnosis worked with some of the most influential musicians of their time, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Yes. The group's name, "Hipgnosis," was a play on the words "hypnosis" and "hip." They believed that their art had the power to hypnotize people and transport them to another world, which was reflected in their album covers. The group's style was surreal and often incorporated elements of fantasy, science fiction, and the occult. Their designs were highly detailed and often required extensive planning and preparation. One of the group's most famous album covers was for Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." The cover featured a prism refracting light into a rainbow, which became one of the most recognizable images in rock history. The design was so successful that it became synonymous with the band and their music. Another iconic design was for Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy," which featured a group of naked children climbing on a rock formation. The image was highly controversial but helped to solidify the band's rebellious image. Hipgnosis also worked with a number of other influential musicians, including Peter Gabriel, Black Sabbath, and Genesis. They designed the cover for Peter Gabriel's first solo album, which featured a photograph of Gabriel wearing a mask with only his eyes visible. The image became another iconic design and was later referenced in Gabriel's music video for "Sledgehammer." The group's success continued into the 1980s, with designs for bands such as Scorpions and Styx. However, the rise of digital technology and the decline of album sales led to the group's decline. Hipgnosis disbanded in 1983, but their legacy lives on in the countless album covers they created. Hipgnosis was not just an art group, but a collective of artists who had a significant impact on the music industry. Their innovative designs helped to define the visual style of rock music in the 1970s and 1980s. Their work was not just a complement to the music, but an essential part of the overall experience. They created a world that fans could enter into and lose themselves in, just like the music they were listening to. Here is a web-page with a gallery of album covers created by Hipgnosis
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| Record Label & Catalognr: Swan Song Records SSK 59 402 (59402) / ST-SS 763 559 (763559) This record catalogue numbers were (US) Swan Song SS 8416 (UK) Swan Song SSK59402 before being changed to 92439-2 for when the remaster was released. |
Media Format: 12" Vinyl LP Record |
Year & Country: 1976 Made in Germany |
Track Listing of: Led Zeppelin Presence |
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Album cover photos of : Led Zeppelin Presence |
High Resolution Photo Album Front Cover
High Resolution Photo Album Back Cover
Enlarged High Resolution Photo of the Record's label
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