"Mekong Delta" Album Description:
The self-titled debut album "Mekong Delta," released on 12" vinyl LP in 1987 and made in Germany, stands as a remarkable piece of musical history within the realm of progressive and technical thrash metal. The creation of this album marked a pivotal moment for the band and the broader metal scene, reflecting a fusion of diverse influences and showcasing the technical prowess of its members.
Mekong Delta, a German progressive thrash metal band formed in the mid-1980s, comprised musicians who were not only proficient in their respective instruments but also possessed a deep appreciation for intricate compositions and unconventional song structures. The self-titled album, released in 1987, captured the essence of their innovative approach to metal.
The genesis of the album can be traced back to the band's formation, which included Ralph Hubert (bass), Uwe Baltrusch (guitar), Peter Haas (drums), and Wolfgang Borgmann (vocals). Their choice of the name "Mekong Delta" itself hinted at the band's intent to explore uncharted musical territories, drawing inspiration from the exotic and mysterious landscapes of Southeast Asia.
The recording process took place in Germany, a hub for metal music in Europe, and the album showcased the technical proficiency of each band member. The intricate guitar work of Uwe Baltrusch, coupled with the intricate bass lines of Ralph Hubert, created a sonic tapestry that set Mekong Delta apart from their contemporaries. Peter Haas's precise drumming and Wolfgang Borgmann's distinctive vocals added further layers to the band's complex sound.
The release of the self-titled album in 1987 garnered attention not only for its musical complexity but also for its unique concept. Mekong Delta incorporated classical elements, particularly pieces by composers such as Bela Bartok and Sergei Prokofiev, into their thrash metal framework. This infusion of classical motifs into a metal context added an avant-garde dimension to their sound, pushing the boundaries of what was conventionally expected from the genre.
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: MEKONG DELTA - Mekong Delta (self-titled)
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Band-members, Musicians and Performers
- Keil - Vocals
Keil (real-name: Wolfgang Borgmann) - singer with the German Speed/Thrash metal band "Mekong Delta" from 1987 until 1990.
- Björn Eklund - Bass, Producer
The real name of "Bjorn Eklund" is Ralph Hubert
- Ralph "Ralf" Hubert – Record Producer, Sound Engineer, Musician
He is the guy who can make a mid-budget German metal band sound like it had a plan all along. Read more... Ralph "Ralf" Hubert is the kind of German studio hawk who makes a band sound sharper than they actually are (a compliment). Back in Sep-Nov 1984 I can place him behind the desk at Sound-Partner Studio in Kirchhellen, engineering Stormwind sessions with that clean, metallic bite. From 1985 onward he stepped out from the control room as bassist, writer and guiding hand in Mekong Delta, where precision riffing and surgical low-end are the whole religion. Across the late 1980s and beyond, his name keeps popping up in metal credits-usually where the drums are tight and the guitars stop flapping. Producer, engineer, musician: the link between sweaty rehearsal rooms and the cold, exacting final mix.
- Gordon Perkins - Drums
Gordon Perkins (real-name: Jörg Michael) Drums, best known as drummer in "Axi Rudi Pell", "Headhunter", "Mekong Delta", "X-Mas Project".
- Rolf Stein - Guitar
Rolf Stein (real-name: Frank Fricke) a German guitarist who has played in a couple German Top Heavy Metal bands: 1981-1988 Living Death , 1987-1989 Mekong Delta, 1991 U.D.O. and in 1985 and 1995 in X-Mas Project.
- Vincent St. Johns - Guitar
Vincent St. Johns (real-name: Reiner Kelch) - Guitarist and brother of "Dieter Kelch" has played guitar in two top German Heavy Metal bands: "Living Death" and "Mekong Delta".
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