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FAUST
Faust IV
BUREAU B - Cat No: BB497
- updated:2026-03-09
Their 1973 fourth album, *Faust IV*, is their most important work. If you're interested in krautrock, psychedelic rock, or avant-garde sounds, this is an album you absolutely must check out.
Track List
Faust, which means "Fist" in English are a German rock band. Formed in 1971 in Wümme by producer and former music journalist Uwe Nettelbeck, the group was originally a seven-piece fusing conventional rock instruments with synthesisers and experimental electronics. Working with professional recording engineer Kurt Graupner, the band recorded three albums for Poydor which sold poorly but received critical acclaim for their innovative approach and established a devoted fan base. Along with Can and Kraftwerk, Faust became one of the leading exponents of what became known as krautrock, and for their fourth album, Faust IV, released here at mid-price Faust became one of the early signings to Richard Branson's Virgin label. The album is regarded as a classic of the genre but despite a marketing campaign aimed at introducing the band to British record-buyers, it failed to make much commercial impact and the band broke up when Virgin rejected their fifth album. After a 15 year hiatus three of the original members re-united for some concerts and the band has continued to perform with a changing line-up since then.
That same year, they began releasing albums, starting with Mike Oldfield’s *Tubular Bells*. In their early days, they worked with Gong, Henry Cow, and Tangerine Dream, A few years later, they signed with the Sex Pistols and moved to Richard Branson’s Virgin, which caused a sensation; this album marks their first release under Virgin and serves as the final album of their original era. It blends electronics, feedback, distortion, and collage-like techniques with the dynamism of rock. It is also known for having been selected for Robert Dimery’s renowned critical work, *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die*. I think even fans of their current work, such as *INTERNATIONAL ANTHEM*, will find this album appealing. The liner notes for this reissue were written by Patrick Ryder, who also handled the mastering—he’s the Patrick Ryder who joined the band upon their reunion. An officially licensed reissue by BUREAU B (2025). We have it in stock. (Original Japanese text by Saito)