Nova Express ~ Germany

Space Khmer (1987)

Germany's Nova Express, a common band name derived from William Burroughs' novel title, are a band I first heard about from Freakbeat in the early 1990s. Opening track 'King & Princess' reminds me quite a bit of early Amon Duul II - especially the shorter songs as found on Tanz der Lemming or Carnival in Babylon. This element becomes apparent in the psychedelic guitar work and the heavily accented male vocals. The organ they employ is actually an older vintage than what Amon Duul II used. Throughout the LP, one will also detect some influence from the post punk crowd of the early 80s, which shows in the songwriting. Nova Express goes toe to toe with, and even predates, some of the best UK neo psych bands of the era, such as Sun Dial and The Bevis Frond. Overall, a very good neo psych / neo Krautrock album that time has completely forgot.

This album was quite difficult to find back in the 90s. But surprisingly not so tough these days. It's hardly a common press, and there lacks any kind of reissue (as of 9/29/25). There's just not enough demand I suspect, which I'm willing to bet means it's more unknown than unwanted.

Ownership: 1987 Syndicate (LP)

9/1/03 (acquired); 1/19/11 (review); 5/4/19 (update)

Nova Express / Nick Riff / Submarine Prophets - Freakbeat No. 8 (1993)

This EP came free with issue number #8 of Freakbeat released in 1993 by Delirium Records, who were at their height back then. I've owned the vinyl pretty much since then, but I don't think I ever played it! Recently I found it hiding in my copy of Nova Express' Space Khmer, an album I was in the process of revisiting.

What we have here, perhaps no surprise given the source, are three excellent neo psych tracks. I would not have recognized Nova Express in this setting. At this point they have female vocals and the music is much more straightforward then their two more Krautrock influenced albums (though make no mistake, both are heavily entrenched in the neo psych trends of the day as well). Nick Riff has a lot of albums, none of which I'd heard prior, but based on the strength of 'The Limitless Light' I'd certainly be up for hearing more from him. Submarine Prophets is a completely new name for me, and it appears they have three EPs out as well. Again 'Green Cathedral' has all the earmarks of the time and place when talking 60's psychedelic revivalism.

Ownership: 1993 Delirium (SP)

1993 (acquired); 5/4/19 (review)

Once in the Blue Moon (1991)

Following on from Space Khmer, Nova Express' second album is a bit more aggressive and, dare I say, punk-ish if you will. But it's still very psychedelic, especially in the ferocious guitar work and with some atmospheric distant / narrative vocals employed. The album gets considerably freakier and psychedelic as it goes. Without knowing they were from Germany, you could be forgiven to thinking they were influenced by the Bevis Frond neo-psych camp (which I think they were actually). About the only other band I've heard like Nova Express, from Germany at least, is the equally obscure Der Kampf Gegen den Schlaf.

---9/29/25

Hearing this album for the first time in 13 years, and really no arguments with the above. However the vocals are far more prominent than stated. It's as if Lemmy took over Hawkwind real time, after 16 years with Motorhead. Post punk is probably the better tag, though the aggressive side of neo psych is appropriate. The final track 'Little Girl Blues' is the only song here that could be labeled space rock, and is the highlight of the album. The CD features one bonus track: 'I Wanna Know' (7:54) which really cements the Hawkwind comparison, especially considering the riffing guitars. This track is very much worth pursuing, and makes the CD more desirable than the LP that was released at the same time.

Ownership: 1991 Heartache Transplant (CD). Booklet with band photo. One bonus track. 

12/28/10 (acquired); 12/2/12 (review); 9/29/25

12/2/12 (new entry)