ELP Emerson Lake & Palmer - Trilogy - German Release 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The Definitive 1972 German Pressing of ELP’s Symphonic Prog Rock Landmark

Released in 1972, Trilogy, the third studio album by British progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP), marked a pivotal moment in the genre's evolution. The German release on 12" LP vinyl showcased ELP's virtuosity, blending classical influences with rock innovation. With timeless tracks like "From the Beginning" and "Hoedown," Trilogy remains a testament to the band's musical prowess and enduring impact on the progressive rock landscape.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Trilogy Album Description:

Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the pioneering British progressive rock band, left an indelible mark on the music scene with their third studio album, "Trilogy". Released in 1972, this opus showcased the group's exceptional musicianship and innovative approach to songwriting. With its complex arrangements, virtuosic performances, and imaginative concepts, "Trilogy" established ELP as one of the genre's most influential acts. The German release of the 12" LP vinyl album not only preserved the sonic brilliance of the original recording but also featured stunning album cover art designed by the legendary team at Hipgnosis.

One of the standout features of "Trilogy" is the production expertise of Eddie Offord, who served as the album's production engineer. Offord, renowned for his work with other progressive rock acts, captured ELP's dynamic sound with remarkable clarity and depth. His meticulous attention to detail allowed the intricate layers of the band's compositions to shine through, enhancing the listening experience. From the thunderous drums to the rich tapestry of keyboard textures and Greg Lake's melodic bass lines, every element was meticulously crafted to create a sonic journey like no other.

The album's cover art, designed by Hipgnosis, added a visual dimension to the music. Hipgnosis, known for their iconic artwork on numerous album covers, brought their imaginative and surreal style to "Trilogy". The German release of the LP vinyl album showcased their creativity through a striking visual representation. The artwork depicted a mysterious hand emerging from the ocean, cradling a sparkling blue orb. This image captured the album's themes of exploration, evolution, and the interconnectedness of the natural world. The cover art perfectly complemented the music, enticing listeners to delve into the ethereal realms of ELP's musical universe.

"Trilogy" as an album exemplifies the progressive rock movement of the early 1970s. ELP's fusion of classical music influences, rock instrumentation, and avant-garde experimentation set them apart from their contemporaries. The album's title track, "Trilogy", is an epic composition divided into three distinct sections, each showcasing the individual virtuosity of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer, while also highlighting their seamless collaboration as a band. From the gentle and introspective passages to the bombastic and grandiose moments, the track takes listeners on a sonic journey that is both musically challenging and emotionally engaging.

Other notable tracks on the album include "The Endless Enigma", which combines haunting melodies, intricate keyboard work, and complex time signatures, displaying ELP's technical prowess. "From the Beginning" introduces a softer and more melodic side, featuring Greg Lake's soothing vocals and acoustic guitar work, demonstrating the band's ability to create radio-friendly songs without compromising their progressive leanings. The album also includes a captivating instrumental piece titled "Abaddon's Bolero", which showcases Emerson's virtuosic keyboard skills and Palmer's thunderous drumming, culminating in a crescendo of sonic intensity.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Progressive Rock Acid, Psych Synth Music

Label & Catalognr:

Manticore 85 227 XOT (85227)

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Record

Year & Country:

1972 – Made in Germany

Producers:
  • Eddie Offord – Production Engineer
Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Hipgnosis
Hipgnosis, the legendary British art design group, revolutionized album cover art for rock music. Explore their iconic visual creations on our website, featuring a vast collection of their innovative designs for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and many more. Here is the web-page with a gallery of album covers created by Hipgnosis

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Members, Musicians:
  • Keith Emerson (ex The Nice)
    Keith Emerson, a legendary keyboardist and composer, revolutionised progressive rock as the driving force behind Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Known for his virtuosic skills on the Moog synthesizer and Hammond organ, he fused classical, jazz, and rock into epic soundscapes. Emerson’s fearless showmanship and innovative compositions cemented his legacy as a pioneer who redefined the role of keyboards in rock music. Read his mini biography
  • Greg Lake - Vocals, Bass Guitar
    Greg Lake, the voice of progressive rock, captivated audiences as a founding member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Renowned for his soulful vocals and songwriting, Lake shaped hits like ‘Lucky Man’ and powered the band’s fusion of classical and rock elements. His artistry defined 1970s prog rock and left an enduring legacy. Learn more about Greg Lake’s journey with ELP
  • Carl Palmer
    Carl Palmer, legendary drummer of progressive rock, brought technical brilliance and showmanship to Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP), shaping classics like Tarkus. Later, he co-founded Asia, where hits like Heat of the Moment showcased his versatility. From complex rhythms to arena anthems, Palmer redefined rock drumming. Learn more about his legacy here.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. The Endless Enigma Part One (Emerson/Lake) 6:37
  2. Fugue (Emerson) 1:57
  3. The Endless Enigma Part Two (Emerson/Lake) 2:00
  4. From the Beginning (Lake) 4:14
  5. The Sheriff (Emerson/Lake) 3:22
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Hoedown Taken from Rodeo (Copland) 3:48
  2. Trilogy (Emerson/Lake) 8:54
  3. Living Sin (Emerson/Lake/Palmer) 3:11
  4. Abaddon's Bolero (Emerson) 8:13
Front Cover
Surreal painted front cover of Emerson Lake and Palmer's 1972 album Trilogy, featuring a triple-profile portrait of the band members morphing into one another against a violet-red gradient background

This is the front cover of the 1972 German release of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s album Trilogy, designed by Hipgnosis. The image features a surreal, stylized triple portrait of the three band members—Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer—blended into one another in a single continuous morphing profile from left to right.

The faces are realistically rendered but softly airbrushed, giving them a sculptural, almost ethereal quality. They appear bare-shouldered, without visible clothing, adding a timeless, statue-like effect. The background transitions from deep violet on the left to reddish-pink hues on the right, resembling a cosmic or dreamlike sunset landscape.

Above the heads, the band's name Emerson Lake & Palmer is written in a simple, elegant script, while the word Trilogy appears at the bottom in a hand-written, white cursive style. The artistic composition reinforces the album’s title and concept—a trilogy of unified but distinct musical personalities.

German vinyl label of Emerson Lake and Palmer's Trilogy album, Manticore logo with lion and scorpion tail, featuring Side 1 track listing and credits in black text on a beige background

This is a close-up photo of the Side One vinyl label from the 1972 German release of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's album Trilogy, issued by Manticore Records. The label features a beige background with black text and a striking illustrated logo of a lion with a scorpion tail—symbolic of the Manticore name—positioned at the top center.

The text below includes catalog number 87 227 XOT, stereo indicator, and the GEMA rights society logo. It lists the track titles and composers for Side One: “The Endless Enigma (Part I),” “The Fugue,” “The Endless Enigma (Part II),” “From the Beginning,” “The Sheriff,” and “Hoedown,” the latter arranged by ELP from Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo.”

Production is credited to Greg Lake. The rim text encircling the label notes German copyright information, distribution by Ariola-Eurodisc GmbH in Munich, and legal restrictions against unauthorized copying, lending, or public performance. The overall design is clean and elegant, reflecting both the technical and artistic polish of this German pressing.

Emerson Lake Palmer Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Brain Salad Surgery (Four European Versions) album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Brain Salad Surgery (Four European Versions) 12" Vinyl LP

For progressive rock aficionados, Emerson, Lake & Palmer's (ELP) "Brain Salad Surgery" is a landmark LP. Released in 1973, it marked the band's first foray and stands as a testament to their fusion of rock and classical influences

- Brain Salad Surgery (1979, Austria) - Brain Salad Surgery (1973, France) - Brain Salad Surgery ( 1973, Germany ) - Brain Salad Surgery (1973, UK)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Self-titled (Germany & UK Versions)  album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Self-titled (Germany & UK Versions)

"Emerson, Lake & Palmer" is the eponymous debut album of this British progressive rock band, released in 1970. As a first album from the newly formed supergroup, the album clearly demonstrates the variety of influences

- Self-Titled (1970, England) - Self-titled (1970, Germany)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Love Beach album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Love Beach

"Love Beach" was primarily a result of contractual obligations with their record company. The band had completed their previous album, "Works Volume 2", which was a double LP featuring individual contributions from each band member.

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ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition (Three European Versions)  album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - (Mussorgsky's) Pictures At An Exhibition (Three European Versions)

Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" is a suite of piano pieces inspired by an art exhibition of his deceased friend Viktor Hartmann. Each movement depicts a different artwork, connected by a recurring "Promenade" theme. ELP's version is a bold reimagining of the suite, incorporating rock elements, synthesizers

- Pictures at an Exhibition (1972, Germany, Island Records) - Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition (1972, Germany, Manticore Records) - Pictures at an Exhibition (1972, Netherlands)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus  (Three European Versions) album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Tarkus (Three European Versions)

At the helm of the recording process was the skilled sound engineer Eddy "Are You Ready" Offord. His meticulous approach to capturing the intricate arrangements and complex compositions of ELP played a crucial role

- Tarkus (1971, Germany, Island Records) - Tarkus (1971, Germany, Manticore Records) - Tarkus (1971, UK)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE  & PALMER -Trilogy  (Three European Versions)  album front cover vinyl record

ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Trilogy (Three European Versions)

Greg Lake demonstrated his musical prowess, steering the ship of "Trilogy" into uncharted waters. The album showcased a seamless fusion of classical influences, jazz improvisation, and rock elements

- Trilogy (1972, Germany, Island Records) Trilogy (1972, Germany, Manticore Records) - Trilogy (1972, UK)
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works

"Works Volume I" it's a musical journey that traverses diverse sonic landscapes, each shaped by the distinctive talents of the three band. This opus is ingeniously divided into four sections

Works 12" Vinyl LP
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works Volume 2  album front cover vinyl record
ELP EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER - Works Volume 2

"Works Volume 2" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer is a 1977 vinyl LP showcasing the band's eclectic mix of prog rock, jazz fusion, and classical influences. Produced by Greg Lake and Pete Sinfield, the album features a diverse tracklist, highlighting each member’s musical prowess. It remains a testament to ELP's creative evolution in the late 1970s.

Works Volume 2 12" Vinyl LP