Label Guide: Pilz

Pilz was a progressive German record label, set up in Berlin in 1971 by German music mogul Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser, who also established the label Ohr. Pilz got a jump start in the German rock market from its distribution deal with BASF, who gave up their concept label Mouse in favour of Pilz.

BASF had already finished a number of album productions for Mouse, including LPs by Dies Irae, Ardo Dombec, McChurch Soundroom, and Virus, when it signed the deal with Kaiser and Pilz and published the entire catalogue planned for Mouse on the Pilz label instead.

To distinguish itself from Ohr, which focused on electronic, now classic 'Krautrock' releases, the Pilz roster was heavy on more quiet, folk-based music, most notably the band Popol Vuh. With Popol Vuh's third album Hosianna Mantra the Pilz story ended already in 1972.