Atomic Rooster was one of the finest examples of the 1970's progressive rock/heavy metal hybrid, often drawing comparisons to the archetypal Deep Purple. In 1969 keyboardist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer left The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and founded Atomic Rooster. Their self-titled debut was issued in 1970 and became a respectable success, but Palmer soon moved onto supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The band's sophomore album Death Walks Behind You was issued later the same year and features the group's classic line-up of Crane, John Du Cann and Paul Hammond. That incarnation also produced its 1971 follow-up In Hearing of although it would be the trio's last together. Less verbose and more funky than earlier efforts - the doom-laden lyrics, pseudo-classical references and memorable melodies remain top notch.