 genre: neo prog
country: germany
quality : lossless (ape, cue, log, scans)
time: 44'11"
size: 233 mb
Cosmic Dreams:
One of the best known German bands internationally was (and still is) Eloy, playing a self developed, pompous form of space rock. However, Eloy played strongly Anglo-influenced heavy progressive rock at the beginning of their career. Frank Bornemann (guitar, vocals) formed the band in February 1969, taking the name from the futuristic people appearing in the H. G. Wells' story "The Time Machine". In 1970 Eloy won a talent contest in their hometown Hannover. As a result, the band got their first opportunity to record in a studio, resulting in the privately-issued single "Walk Alone" coupled with "Daybreak". They also did countless live appearances, among them opening for Deep Purple and Uriah Heep during their respective German tours.
A recording contract with Phillips was secured and the band set off to Star Studios, Hamburg, to record their first album in April 1971. Also present was Konrad Plank, as well as the mysterious producer Mr. Peter M. Freiherr von Lopel. Erich Schriever had the idea for the novelty fold-out dustbin sleeve. Apparently this is exactly where Bornemann has wanted to put the album ever since. It was one of the few Eloy albums he didn't have full control over. Schriever and Wieczorke dominated the writing. Musically this was heavy progressive rock for sure, but it lacked a distinctive sound and haunting melodies. After a period of much arguing Bornemann took full control over the band, and fired Draht and Schriever. Phillips, in turn, dropped Eloy. Fritz Randow became their new drummer, Bornemann became lead vocalist and Wieczorke switched from guitar to organ. This line-up re-launched Eloy live May in 1972 at Germesheim. For their new recording company (EMI Electrola Harvest) they recorded Inside during the next Winter and released it in February 1973. Surprisingly enough, this sounded like a combination of Pink Floyd at the time of Meddle and Ian Anderson with a German accent. "Land Of No Body" was a great 17 minute opus of space rock. "Inside" and "Up And Down" were also good, but the outstanding track was "Future City", a catchy tune with great guitar riffing and a strong rhythm backing. This was Floy's most "progressive" album, and also one of their best.
Late in Autumn 1973, Luitjen Janssen replaced Stocker on bass. Bornemann now wanted to make a heavy rock album. Floating (1974) was indeed more powerful, comprising five tracks the arrangements of which were far too complex to be dubbed "heavy metal". This heavy kind of space rock was most successful on the track "Light From Deep Darkness". Their American manager Jay Partridge organised a three month USA tour in the Spring of 1975. For the rest of the year, Bornemann mostly worked on his forthcoming full blown concept album Power And The Passion, which finally appeared in November. He now assumed to take the role of H. G. Wells himself, and wrote an ambitious sci-fi concept about a teenager being able to travel back in time to 1358. The album featured both spoken dialogues and massive sound effects just like a radio play. The music itself was pompous, polished and 'produced' down to the smallest detail. Due to the failure of this album and the lack of success of the USA tour, Eloy disintegrated at the beginning of 1976. Wieczorke went to another pompous Hannover rock band: Jane. Randow joined the re-vitalised Epitaph.
side A:
Poseidon's Creation - 11:38
Incarnation of the Logos - 8:25
side B:
Decay of the Logos - 8:15
Atlantis' Agony at June 5th 8498, 13 P.M. Gregorian Earthtime - 15:35
Frank Bornemann: Lead Vocals, All Electric, Acoustic, and Effect Guitars
Klaus-Peter Matziol: Vocals, Thunderbird and Fender Fretless Bass Guitars
Detlev Schmidtchen: Hammond Organ, Mini-Moog and ARP Synthesizers, Mellotron, RMI Keyboard Computer, Xylophone, Angelic Voices
Jurgen Rosenthal: Sonor Genuine Rosewood Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Timbales, Roto-Toms, Temple Blocks, Kettle-Drums, Tubular Bells, Morse Key, Voice, Triangles, Paper and Flute
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