Birth Control - Rebirth (1973)

Birth Control - Rebirth (1973)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Birth Control – Rebirth (1973)

Tracklist:

1. Watch Out

2. Fire

3. Sam

4. No More War

5. Mr. Thunder

6. Genesis

7. Rock’n’Roll Party

8. If I Only Had Time

Review:
Rebirth (1973) marks a pivotal point in Birth Control’s evolution, blending their signature heavy rock sound with more accessible melodies and socially aware lyrics. Following the darker tones of Hoodoo Man, this album introduces a more polished production while maintaining the band’s trademark Hammond organ-driven heaviness and guitar punch.

The opening track “Watch Out” sets a powerful tone with aggressive riffs and Bernd Noske’s commanding vocals, immediately signaling that Birth Control remains at the forefront of early German hard rock. Tracks like “Fire” and “Sam” showcase the band’s skill at balancing prog complexity with hard-hitting hooks, making the music both cerebral and visceral. “No More War” is a standout politically charged song, reflecting the band’s engagement with the era’s social issues.

Instrumentally, Rebirth demonstrates refined musicianship. The interplay between guitar and organ remains central, but the addition of melodic lines and tighter arrangements gives the album a slightly more accessible feel without sacrificing intensity. “Mr. Thunder” and “Genesis” reveal their prog tendencies through dynamic tempo shifts and layered textures, while “Rock’n’Roll Party” injects fun and energy, showing that Birth Control could be both heavy and playful.

Overall, Rebirth is considered a transitional masterpiece, bridging the dark, heavy roots of the early albums with a more melodic and structured approach, cementing Birth Control’s status as pioneers of European hard rock and early heavy prog.

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Fun Facts & Trivia:

• The album’s title, Rebirth, reflects the band’s renewed creative energy after extensive touring.

• Bernd Noske, the band’s drummer and vocalist, performs some of his most expressive vocal work on this album.

• “No More War” is regarded as one of the band’s earliest politically charged tracks, predating many other European hard rock protest songs.

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Did You Know?

• Rebirth features a mix of heavy rock and early progressive experimentation, showing Birth Control’s versatility.

• The band toured heavily in Germany and the Netherlands to promote the album, gaining wider recognition in the European rock scene.

• Collectors often consider Rebirth a key link between the raw power of early 70s Krautrock and more melodic hard rock.

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Selling / Collector’s Info:

Original CBS German pressings of Rebirth are highly sought after. Mint copies can reach €100–€250, depending on vinyl and sleeve condition. Later reissues are more affordable, but for collectors of Krautrock and 70s European hard rock, the 1973 first pressing is the ultimate gem.

Keywords: Birth Control Rebirth review, German hard rock 1973, Krautrock heavy prog albums, Birth Control vinyl collector, 70s Hammond organ rock