Aku Aku ~ Czech Republic

Humanquake (1991)

Like the Saisei Koubou album from Japan, Bohemia's Aku Aku seem to have digested King Crimson's darkest period, that of Larks Tongues in Aspic through to Red. The heavy guitar, bass, and violin are obvious earmarks of the Wetton years. Of course the Czech vocals give it a local flair. There's also a distinct punkish feel in a couple of places. In this way, they remind me of another sentimental favorite Czech 90s group - Dunaj.

As an aside, the Czech scene of the early 90s was an exciting time (MCH Band, Stromboli, Dunaj, Iva Bittova, Uz Jsme Doma, etc..), and I was privileged to experience a lot of these bands from 1990-1994, as I spent a good percentage of my backpacking years in post Communist-Eastern Europe. I didn't discover Aku Aku until after that, though.

Ownership: 1991 Pro Art (LP). Gatefold

1//97 (acquired); 2/16/11 (review); 4/14/20 (update / new entry)