The band Elias Hulk hailed from Bournemouth on the south coast of England and was formed in the late 1960s by bassist James Haines, guitarist Neil Tatum, singer Pete Thorpe, guitarist Grenville Frazer and drummer Bernard James. The new quintet set to work, creating riffs and rehearsing tirelessly, which over time built up a foundation of original songs. Following their live debut in October 1969, nationwide performances in clubs, universities and festivals gradually followed. Label founder and producer Miki Dallon signed them to his new label Young Blood (as well as Julian’s Treatment). They recorded their material, which they had perfected on tour over the previous months, in just one day at London’s Pye Studios.

Their debut album Unchained was released in November 1970 but received only a few positive reviews. Their blues-influenced psychedelic rock, however, was particularly well-received in Germany. There, unlike the English edition with its scandalous cover, the album was released with a photomontage of the band in blue light. In view of the unsuccessful start and poor sales figures, the band broke up in late 1970, disillusioned. Even the rare German original of their first and only LP on Young Blood is now a sought-after collector’s item.