Ash Ra Tempel

Founded by guitarist Manuel Göttsching, bassist Hartmut Enke, and drummer Klaus Schulze, the German Krautrock band formed in Berlin in 1970 became a key pioneer of kosmische musik (cosmic rock). They rejected conventional songwriting in favour of hypnotic, long-form ambient soundscapes and wild, free-form improvisational space rock jams.

Their self-titled 1971 debut album is widely considered a masterpiece of the genre, capturing a raw, intense atmosphere engineered by legendary producer Conny Plank. Following Schulze's early departure, Göttsching remained the band's sole constant member through numerous lineup changes. In the late 1970s, the project transitioned into a solo vehicle for Göttsching under the shortened name Ashra, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped modern electronic, ambient, and space rock music.