Caspar Brötzmann

by Jason Ankeny Formed in Berlin, Germany in 1987, the Caspar Brotzmann Massaker was a vehicle for its nominal leader, an acclaimed guitar virtuoso (as well as the son of saxophonist Peter Brotzmann) whose intense work summoned the spirit and power of traditions ranging from heavy metal to free jazz. A trio also comprised of bassist Eduardo Delgado Lopez and drummer Danny Arnold Lommen, the Massaker debuted in 1987 with The Tribe, a showcase for Brotzmann's dive-bombing guitar work and ominous vocals. With 1992's Der Abend Der Schwarzen Folklore, the trio broadened their structural and rhythmic horizons over the course of four epic tracks ranging in sound from throbbing metal to blues; the following year's Koksofen continued their advancement, but only 1995's Home earned any significant mainstream attention. The live effortZulutime was released in 1996. Mute Massaker followed four years later.