Epitaph / 21st Century Schizoid Man

by King Crimson

Epitaph / 21st Century Schizoid Man cover art
  • Type: Single
  • Released: January 1976
  • Label: Island
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 15:44
  • Community rating: 4.75/5 from 6 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Although originally released on their 1969 debut LP, this single pairing captures two foundational pillars of progressive rock. 'Epitaph' is heavily defined by Ian McDonald's sweeping Mellotron orchestration and Greg Lake's apocalyptic lyricism regarding humanity's destructive tendencies. Conversely, '21st Century Schizoid Man' introduces a heavily distorted vocal effect, aggressive brass, and complex jazz-metal time signatures.

Genres

Descriptors: progressive, complex, live, virtuosic, groundbreaking

Tracklist

  1. Epitaph (8:52)
  2. 21st Century Schizoid Man (6:52)

Credits

  • Greg Lake - written-by
  • Ian McDonald - written-by
  • Michael Giles - written-by
  • Peter Sinfield - written-by
  • Robert Fripp - written-by

More from King Crimson: full discography