Birth Control - Count on Dracula (1980)

Birth Control - Count on Dracula (1980)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Birth Control – Count on Dracula (1980)

Tracklist:

1. Count on Dracula

2. Another Day

3. Children of Tomorrow

4. Mr. Nightlife

5. Ghost Rider

6. Backdoor Possibilities (Revisited)

7. Stop Little Lady (Revisited)

Review:
Count on Dracula (1980) marks Birth Control’s entry into the 80s, blending their classic heavy Krautrock sound with elements of early 80s hard rock and melodic rock production. While the album is less raw than early 70s releases like Operation or Hoodoo Man, it demonstrates the band’s adaptability, keeping their Hammond-driven textures and riff-heavy foundations intact.

The title track “Count on Dracula” opens with a dramatic, gothic flair, immediately signaling a darker thematic approach. Songs like “Another Day” and “Children of Tomorrow” retain the band’s progressive roots while incorporating catchier choruses and more structured songwriting. “Mr. Nightlife” and “Ghost Rider” lean into hard rock grooves, showing the band’s ability to stay relevant in a changing musical landscape.

Notably, the album revisits earlier classics — “Backdoor Possibilities” and “Stop Little Lady” — giving them modernized arrangements that blend nostalgia with contemporary sound. Overall, Count on Dracula is a bridge between Birth Control’s heavy 70s era and the more polished, melodic hard rock style of the 80s, offering both long-time fans and new listeners a fresh take on the band’s signature sound.

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Fun Facts & Trivia:

• Count on Dracula was released during a period when many German rock bands were experimenting with 80s production techniques, including cleaner mixing and more melodic emphasis.

• The album title reflects the band’s interest in gothic and horror-inspired themes, a motif rarely explored in previous releases.

• “Children of Tomorrow” continues Birth Control’s tradition of social commentary, discussing the responsibilities of future generations.

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Did You Know?

• This album features some of the last recordings with the classic late-70s lineup before further personnel changes.

• Revisited tracks like “Stop Little Lady” showcase how Birth Control adapted older material to the new decade, adding new energy while respecting the original arrangements.

• Collectors often view Count on Dracula as a unique transitional album, bridging the classic 70s heavy Krautrock style with early 80s melodic rock influences.

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Selling / Collector’s Info:

Original 1980 CBS German pressings of Count on Dracula are moderately rare. Mint copies typically sell between €40–€90, making them accessible for serious collectors of Birth Control and 70s/80s European hard rock. Later reissues are more widely available, but first pressings remain a prized addition for vinyl enthusiasts.

Keywords: Birth Control Count on Dracula review, German hard rock 1980, Krautrock 80s albums, Birth Control vinyl collector, melodic heavy rock 1980