“Their symphonically sweeping but brutal music seemed to attract wild, chaotic forces, from pitched battles to supernatural possession. Alienation, shattered romance and science-fiction fuelled singer Peter Hammill’s lyrics; high church, Hendrix, jazz, soul and raw rock revved the tunes. Unlike prog contemporaries Yes and ELP, Van Der Graaf were too ferocious to be phased by punk….Bowie, Mark E Smith, Nick cave, Julian Cope, Graham Coxon and Luke Haines have also named Hammill as a crucial influence.” – Uncut
Originally formed way back in 1967 - memorably named after the machine that generates huge electrical charges - VDGG were the very first signing to Charisma Records, their debut UK album being released by the fledgling Charisma in January 1970, some 35 years ago. VDGG played shows with amongst others Jimi Hendrix, T Rex, Pink Floyd and label mates Genesis, and enjoyed many, many wonderful and some less than wonderful adventures. The eventual split came in 1978, after 9 albums as a group, all but one for Charisma, including the exceptional Pawn Hearts (1971) and Godbluff (1975), to mention just two of their classic albums. Interestingly, reassessed for today, the Mojo-published Ultimate Music Companion says of Pawn Hearts : "The complex arrangements owed much to 20th century classical music, contemporary jazz and psychedelia. The manic results belied the progressive tag...there were few showy displays of virtuosity...compelling...[and] practically unique in pop". The entire VDGG Charisma catalogue plus Hammill's solo debut Fool's Mate (1971) - 9 albums in all - have been re-issued in Remastered & Expanded form with many mouth-watering never-before-heard extra tracks.
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other	H To He Whom Am The Only One		Pawn Hearts
Godbluff	Still Life		Peter Hammill - Fool's Mate
World Record	The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome		Vital