Blackwater Park originated in West Berlin and, from 1971 onwards, consisted of guitarist Michael Fechner, bassist Andreas Scholz (formerly with the prog rock band Murphy Blend), drummer Norbert Kagelmann and English singer and guitarist Richard Routledge. The Berlin-based band management company Jowi-Pressedienst secured them a record deal with the newly founded major label BASF. In December 1971, they entered the Windrose Studios in Hamburg and recorded their debut album with the assistance of keyboardist Burkhard Plenge and renowned producer Jürgen Schmeisser (Virus, Ardo Dombec, Dies Irae, McChurch Soundroom). Released in 1972, the LP Dirt Box surprised listeners with its hard rock combined with elements of various established and emerging rock subgenres such as blues rock, acid rock, prog rock and heavy metal. However, the energetic hard rock with fiery guitar riffs, distinctive organ arrangements and the dominant and powerful voice of British singer Richard Routledge did not receive any attention at the time. It wasn't long before the band disappeared from the scene.

Today, they are considered one of the most underrated German bands of the 1970s, and their legendary and only album is a coveted collector's item in its original edition, fetching top prices.