RPWL are one of the finest bands of the modern German progressive scene — a group who began life as a Pink Floyd tribute act and evolved into one of art rock’s most atmospheric and distinctive voices. Formed in Freising in 1997, and named after the initials of its four founding members, RPWL built their sound on Yogi Lang’s warm vocals and keyboards and Kalle Wallner’s soaring, Gilmour-esque guitar, gradually shedding their influences to forge a spacious, cinematic style all their own. Here is every RPWL studio album, ranked from worst to best.

The short version

At the top sits Beyond Man and Time (2012), their ambitious Nietzschean masterpiece, with the breakthrough World Through My Eyes and the gripping Wanted close behind. At the other end, the raw and experimental RPWL Experience tends to divide even the faithful. The full ranking is below.

How we rank them

This is one fan’s honest take on RPWL’s studio albums — we have set aside the rarities collections, live albums and Pink Floyd covers to focus on their original works. We weigh atmosphere, melody, ambition and emotional depth. The facts are accurate; the order is where the arguments begin.

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The lower reaches

8. The RPWL Experience (2008)

A deliberate left turn, rawer and more experimental than anything before or since. A bold attempt to break their own mould, but uneven and divisive, and light on the melodies fans loved. A brave but patchy detour.

7. Tales from Outer Space (2019)

A sci-fi concept album exploring humanity and technology, atmospheric and well-crafted throughout. A touch less distinctive than their finest concept works, but never less than engaging. A solid, dependable entry.

The middle of the pack

6. Trying to Kiss the Sun (2002)

The second album, where RPWL began to consolidate their own voice beyond their Pink Floyd roots. A strong step forward, if still finding their feet. A promising early record.

5. Crime Scene (2023)

Their most recent album, a dark, atmospheric concept that takes a deep dive into true crime and the nature of good and evil. Expansive, varied and quintessentially RPWL. A superb late-career statement.

The upper tier

4. God Has Failed (2000)

The debut, and still a fan favourite, wearing its Pink Floyd influences openly but with a character all its own. A little static in places, but home to gems like “Hole in the Sky” and the title track. A beloved first statement.

3. Wanted (2014)

A gripping, cinematic concept album about identity and belonging, and one of their most cohesive and emotionally resonant works. Beautifully played and richly atmospheric throughout. A modern near-masterpiece.

The masterpieces

2. World Through My Eyes (2005)

The breakthrough that established RPWL as a major force, spacious, melodic and immaculately produced, featuring ex-Genesis singer Ray Wilson on the single “Roses”. A fan-favourite classic.

1. Beyond Man and Time (2012)

The masterpiece: an ambitious concept album loosely inspired by Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and RPWL at their most cohesive, atmospheric and profound. Spacious, cinematic and endlessly rewarding, it is the definitive RPWL album, and the place to begin.

Every RPWL album, ranked

The full ranking at a glance, best to worst.

Where to start

New to RPWL? Begin with Beyond Man and Time (2012), their ambitious masterpiece, and World Through My Eyes (2005), the breakthrough that made their name. From there, explore the gripping concept album Wanted and the beloved debut God Has Failed. Few modern prog catalogues are this consistently rewarding.

The verdict

Two and a half decades on from their tribute-band beginnings, RPWL have become one of the most reliably excellent bands in modern prog — a group who wear their Pink Floyd roots proudly, yet sound like no one but themselves. Anchored by Yogi Lang’s voice and Kalle Wallner’s guitar, they have built a catalogue of atmospheric, cinematic concept albums of real depth and beauty. Whether you begin with the Nietzschean grandeur of Beyond Man and Time or their latest true-crime concept, there is a wealth of thoughtful, spacious prog to discover here.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: count down their finest tracks with the best RPWL songs, browse our pick of their best RPWL albums, or head back to the full directory of every prog band’s discography, ranked.

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