Popol Vuh - Affenstunde

Review by Kevin Herrington

Affenstunde by Popol Vuh: A Sonic Jungle of Dreams and Echoes Alright, buckle up—this one’s wild. Affenstunde (which roughly translates to "Monkey Hour," because why not?) is a trip through soundscapes that feel like they were brewed in some ancient cosmic cauldron. Released in 2012 but born from the minds of Florian Fricke and co back in the Krautrock heyday, this album is an oddball masterpiece that straddles genres like Experimental, Ambient, Drone, and even Ethnic Fusion with the grace of… well, monkeys swinging through trees. It's got layers upon layers, kinda like your favorite patched-up quilt, except this quilt hums with synthesizers and whispers secrets of time travel. Now, let me zoom in on two tracks that’ll stick to your brain like gum under a chair. First off, there’s “Ich Mache Einen Spiegel (Dream Part 4).” The title alone sounds like something outta a surrealist poetry slam. This track starts off all slow-burn, like watching dawn break over a misty forest. Then comes the percussion—it's minimal, yeah, but it hits just right, like someone tapping their fingers on a wooden table while deep in thought. And oh man, those synths? They’re not so much played as conjured. You can practically see them shimmering in the air, ghostly tendrils reaching for your soul. What sticks with me about this tune isn’t just its hypnotic vibe; it’s how it feels unfinished yet complete, like catching fragments of a dream you don’t wanna wake up from. Then there’s “Affenstunde,” the titular beast itself. If “Ich Mache Einen Spiegel” is the quiet introvert staring at stars, this one’s the chaotic extrovert throwing glitter bombs at a party. From the get-go, it throws you into a swirling vortex of tribal drums and droning synths. Holger Trülzsch’s percussion work here deserves a shout-out—it doesn’t just keep time; it dances around it, teasing and taunting like a mischievous spirit. There are moments where the track seems to dissolve into pure noise, but somehow it pulls itself back together before spiraling off again. It’s messy, sure, but gloriously so, like scribbling outside the lines because who cares about rules anyway? What makes Affenstunde unforgettable isn’t just its experimental guts or genre-hopping antics—it’s the way it refuses to explain itself. Listening to it feels like wandering through a museum where every exhibit speaks in riddles. You won’t always understand what’s going on, but damn if you won’t walk away feeling changed. And here’s the kicker: after hours of diving into these dense sonic jungles, I realized something kinda funny. For all its high-concept vibes and avant-garde swagger, Affenstunde reminds me most of sitting quietly in my backyard at night, staring at the sky and wondering if aliens are out there judging us. Maybe that’s the magic of Popol Vuh—they make music that feels both alien and achingly human, like a mirror reflecting infinity. So yeah, give this album a spin if you’re ready to lose yourself in sound. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing whispers in your dreams.

Artist: Popol Vuh
Album: Affenstunde

1969

Rating: 4.3

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Filename: popol-vuh-affenstunde.zip

MP3 size: 108.1 mb
FLAC size: 793.5 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel - Dream Part 49	7:43
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel: Dream Part 4	8:40
Dream Part 4	8:40
Ich mache einen Spiegel - Dream Part 49	7:34
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel: Dream Part 49	7:35
Train Through Time	10:30
Dream, Pt. 5	04:41
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel: Dream Part 5	4:50
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel (Dream Part 49)	7:42
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel (Dream Part 4)	8:51
In Den Gärten Pharaos	17:26
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel - Dream Part 4	8:44
Dream, Pt. 4	05:12
Dream Part 5	4:50
Ich mache einen Spiegel - Dream Part 5	4:41
Bettina (Bonus Track)	5:05
Affenstunde	18:35
Ich mache einen Spiegel - Dream Part 4	8:44
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel (Dream Part 5)	4:36
Dream Part 49	7:35
Ich Mache Einen Spiegel - Dream Part 5	4:41
Dream, Pt. 49	07:43

Images

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Catalog Numbers

Labels

Liberty
Hunter Records
Innovative Communication
Arcàngelo
SPV Recordings
BMG
Nexus
Bell Records
Klimt Records
Spalax
Wah Wah Records
Belle Antique

Listen online

ascolta in linea
lyssna på nätet
écouter en ligne
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
escuchar en línea
online luisteren
kuunnella verkossa
online anhören

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
5 × File
MP3
Reissue
Stereo
VBR
CD
Remastered
Papersleeve
Repress
Digipak
Limited Edition
Transparent Blue
Misprint
SHM-CD

Companies

Role	Company
Record Company	Liberty/UA GmbH
Pressed By	Sonopress
Printed By	Carl v. d. Linnepe
Published By	Phoenix Musikverlag
Recorded At	Bavaria Musikstudios
Phonographic Copyright (p)	United Artists
Copyright (c)	WEA Musik GmbH
Mastered At	Strawberry Mastering
Manufactured By	Marquee Inc.
Licensed From	SPV GmbH
Licensed To	SPV Recordings
Distributed By	SPV GmbH
Glass Mastered At	Sonopress
Designed At	Studio 23
Marketed By	Spalax Music
Made By	WEA Musik GmbH

Credits

Role	Credit
Composed By	Popol Vuh
Arranged By	Popol Vuh
Design	Heiner H. Hoier, Heinz Lukasz
Mixed By	Frank Fiedler
Percussion	Holger Trülzsch
Producer	Bettina Fricke, Gerhard Augustin
Synthesizer	Florian Fricke
Liner Notes	Klaus Schulze
Mixed By [Synthesizer	Mixdown]
Design Concept	Bettina v. Waldhausen, Gero Herrde
Photography By	Frank Fiedler
Photography By [Booklet Front	Bettina von Waldthausen
Back Cover]	Bettina von Waldthausen
Written-By	Popol Vuh (tracks: 1 to 4)
Music By	Popol Vuh
Remastered By	Frank Fiedler, Guido Hieronymus
Mastered By	TACET Musikproduktion
Cover	Bettina, Steffen

Notes

Released in a laminated gatefold cover. Some copies have one or two advertising stickers on front.
First issue with "Liberty / UA GmbH, München" printed in label rim text.
Later issues have "United Artists Records GmbH München" printed in label rim text.
[Cover]
Published by Phoenix
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio in Munich
Liberty/UA GmbH, 8 München 22, Postfach 201 • Printed in Germany by C.v.d. Linnepe,Lüdenscheid
[Label]
Published by Phoenix Musik Verlag
Liberty / UA GmbH, München
Track 5 is a bonus track.
This repress was mastered at Strawberry Mastering and pressed at Record Service GmbH.
There is also a different version mastered at Tonstudio Pfanz, distinguishable by the runout etchings.
Originally released in 1971.
Comes in a CD sized papersleeve album replica (gatefold), with Obi-strip and two inserts of notes.
Tracks 1 to 4 published by Phoenix Musikverlag.
Track 5 published by Edition Popol Vuh.
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio in Munich, 1970.
℗ 2004 SPV Recordings
© 2004 SPV Recordings, a division of SPV GmbH.
Photo booklet front and back cover © Bettina Von Waldhausen
Photo booklet back © Frank Fiedler
Made in Germany.
Digipak with a 16-page booklet with many pictures, a biography and a discography of Florian Fricke, a list of his music videos, "In Memoriam Florian Fricke" by Werner Herzog, and personal notes on Florian Fricke by Klaus Schülze, in English and German.
Track 5 is a previously unreleased bonus track.
Released in a laminated gatefold cover, identical to the first issue.
Some copies have one or two advertising stickers on front.
This issue has "United Artists Records GmbH München" printed in label rim text.
According to the Discogs label profile, 'United Artists Records GmbH' did not exist before 1973, which indicates a release date of 1973 or later for this issue.
The first issue has "Liberty / UA GmbH, München" printed in label rim text.
United Artists Records GmbH München
Standalone CD release derived from Popol Vuh - The Essential Album Collection Vol.1
Housed in 4-panel Digipak with 20-page illustrated booklet.
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio in Munich, 1970
1 to 4, V: Phoenix Musik Verlag
5, V: Manuskript
Licensed by Gerhard Augustin to Bell Records
Printed in West Germany
Made in West Germany
Track 5 taken from Popol Vuh - In Den Gärten Pharaos
Released in a gatefold cover.
Limited pressing of 500 numbered copies.
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio in Munich.
Something went wrong with the colours (as pictured)
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio in München [1970]
On cover: Rerelease ℗ et © 1992 TEMPEL, MARKETED BY SPALAX MUSIC, PARIS, FRANCE.
On disc: Réédition ℗+© 1994 SPALAX MUSIC, PARIS, FRANCE
Catalogue number variations are: 14205 on cover art, CD 14205 on disc.
Packaged in a standard jewel case with 4-page booklet.
Originally released in 1970
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio in München
Deluxe reissue limited to 500 copies.
Reissued from the master tapes in quality vinyl pressing, full glory laminated gatefold cover plus an insert with liners and photos + a color poster.
Liner notes by Popol Vuh expert Dolf Mulder, Klaus Schulze and Werner Herzog. Also include in the liner notes an album discography and the list of musicians heard on the Popol Vuh recordings.
Comes with two stickers on the front sleeve.
Recorded at Bavaria Music Studio, Munich 1970.
Published by Phoenix Musikverlag, except "Train Through Time" published by Edition Popol Vuh.
© 2004 SPV Recordings, a division of SPV Gmbh
Made in Germany
Manufactured By Arvato Digital Services indicates that this was manufactured during the 2008-2011 period.
Comes in a CD sized papersleeve album replica (gatefold), with Obi-strip and note insert.
Comes with WEA company inner sleeve.
Ⓟⓒ 1970 United Artists
Made in Germany by WEA Musik GmbH
This repress was mastered at Tonstudio Pfanz.
There is also a different version mastered at Strawberry Mastering, distinguishable by the runout etchings.
On disc: Réédition ℗+© 1992 SPALAX MUSIC, PARIS, FRANCE

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Side A, label): LBS 83 460 A
Matrix / Runout (Side B, label): LBS 83 460 B
Matrix / Runout (Side A, runout stamped): C 83460 A-2 Made in Germany
Matrix / Runout (Side B, runout stamped): C 83460 B-1 Made in Germany
Rights Society: GEMA
ASIN: B00T1D5S22
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, stamped): R/S Alsdorf 58159 A3 STRAWBERRY (G)
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, stamped): R/S Alsdorf 58159 B2 STRAWBERRY (G)
Label Code: LC 6459
Barcode: 4988044371828
Rights Society: JASRAC
Matrix / Runout: ARC-7182 5-3218
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LT46
Mould SID Code: IFPI 9C09
Barcode: 693723701028
Matrix / Runout (Variant 1): [Sonopress logo] 51091280/70102 22
Mastering SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI LB 45
Mould SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI 0731
Matrix / Runout (Variant 2): [Sonopress logo] 51091280/70102 22
Mastering SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI LB 45
Mould SID Code (Variant 2): IFPI 0741
Matrix / Runout (Variant 3): [Sonopress logo] 51091280/70102 22
Mastering SID Code (Variant 3): IFPI LB 45
Mould SID Code (Variant 3): IFPI 0794
Label Code: LC 08100
Barcode (printed): 4 050538 392272
Barcode (Scanned): 4050538392272
Label Code: LC 19813
Matrix / Runout: [Arvato logo] 57189437/539392272 21
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LP 73
Mould SID Code: IFPI 075Y
Barcode (Text): 4 988003 173074
Barcode (Scanned): 4988003173074
Matrix / Runout (Mirrored): <KICP2804>GF513A SA
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L461
Mould SID Code: IFPI 7826
Barcode: 4011809847068
Matrix / Runout: CDT-BERLIN BLR84706 01
Label Code: LC 6724
ASIN: B0000926BW
SPARS Code: ADD
Barcode (Text): 3 429020 142052
Barcode (Scanned): 3429020142052
Rights Society: SUISA
Matrix / Runout (Mirrored): 14205 11 A2 [DADC Austria logo]
Barcode: 3 429020 142052
Matrix / Runout: DISCTRONICS S 14205 01
Mastering SID Code: IFPI 8713
Barcode: 4040824083229
Matrix / Runout: [Arvato Digital Services logo] 51091280/70102 24
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LP73
Mould SID Code: IFPI 0797
Barcode: 4527516600457
Matrix / Runout: BELLE121997
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L244
Mould SID Code: IFPI 4011
Matrix / Runout (Side A, label): 80/522-A
Matrix / Runout (Side B, label): 80/522-B
Matrix / Runout (Side A, runout etched): WEA-58159-A² PF
Matrix / Runout (Side B, runout etched): 80/522-WEA-58158-B PF
Other (Distribution code, Germany): Ⓤ
Other (Distribution code, France): WE 341
Barcode: none

About Popol Vuh

Pioneers of German "krautrock" music, Popol Vuh was the creature of Florian Fricke (1944-2001). The first album "Affenstunde" (1970) is an early jaunt into electronic music with its massive use of the Moog synthesizer as well as added percussion. "In Den Gärten Pharaos" (1971) experimented with a fusion between electronic and organ sounds, creating an intense, almost religious ambient music. From "Hosianna Mantra" (1972) on, Popol Vuh abandoned the electronic medium to develop a personal avant-garde progressive rock music. Florian Fricke died in 2001 in his sleep.

Real Name

Florian Fricke

Name Vars

Popohl Vuh
Popol V.
Popol Vuh FF
Popul Vuh
Populi Vuh
Pupol Vuh

Members

Al Gromer Khan
Florian Fricke
Klaus Wiese
Conny Veit
Ted De Jong
Daniel Fichelscher
Susan Goetting
Djong Yun
Renate Knaup
Holger Trülzsch
Frank Fiedler
Guido Hieronymus
Robert Eliscu
Mathias von Tippelskirch
Maya Rose

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s an interesting fact about *Affenstunde* by Popol Vuh: Despite being released in 2012, this album feels like a time capsule from another era. It blends genres like Ambient, Krautrock, and Ethnic Fusion with experimental electronics, creating a sound that’s both ancient and futuristic. What’s wild is how the tracks feature recurring themes like "Ich Mache Einen Spiegel" (I Make a Mirror), almost like musical reflections of dreams. Florian Fricke's use of synthesizers alongside Holger Trülzsch's percussion gives it an otherworldly vibe. Oh, and fun detail—the cover art was designed by multiple artists, including Bettina von Waldthausen, who also contributed photography. With its roots spanning Germany to Japan, *Affenstunde* truly feels like a global journey through sound.

Comments

waskitotourtravel

2025-03-16

Historically, "Monkey Hour" is the first german album to use the Moog synthesizer, and it had a huge impact on Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze, who both will soon turn 100% electronic.As a piece of music, the album is very promising although not fully realized yet. The LP's first side (tracks 1 to 3) is more an exposition of raw ingredients not cooked already, but "Affenstunde" the track itself cooked them and works wonderfully. Hmm ... each listening of this track makes me love it more. Try it with headphones, lying in the dark. Magical.And it was only a preparation for "In Den Garten Pharaos", the sublime album that was coming next...