Eloy - Ocean '77 & Chronicles II vol.3 '84 (2000)

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Eloy - Ocean '77 & Chronicles II vol.3 '84 (2000)

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As good as Dawn was, the weight of the orchestra prevented it from being truly compelling, while its story seemed a bit thin. Eloy fixed both flaws for Ocean, creating their most striking album, a true classic of progressive rock history in Germany and abroad. Written by drummer Jurgen Rosenthal, the lyrics relate to Greek mythology, combining the tale of Poseidon and the myth of Atlantis. Man lost the paradise on Earth that was Atlantis because of his violent nature – an obvious metaphor of the nuclear menace that was still very much alive in 1977. The album consists of four extended pieces that combine atmospheric keyboards (think early Vangelis), progressive rock developments à la Pink Floyd-meets-Yes, and occasional recitatives inspired by the Moody Blues' storytelling form (In Search of the Lost Chord, On the Threshold of a Dream). Frank Bornemann sings slightly better than usual, his voice carrying more emotion. The band hits the perfect balance between heaviness and lightness: the riffs are solidly anchored, yet the music really floats, especially in "Atlantis' Agony at June 5th – 8498, 13 P.M. Gregorian Earthtime." "Incarnation of Logos" provides the best moments. Three of the four songs are also featured on the Live album, released a year later, which revealed how little musical material they actually had. Their strength resides in the rich studio arrangements.

by François Couture, AMG

Material from 1988's Ra and 1992's Destination II make up Chronicles II, a compilation of Eloy's lyrical work, but still jam-packed with astounding keyboard playing via Michael Gerlach. Superb sound is prevalent on this album, as well as on Chronicles I, and while the music isn't as quick or as soaring as Eloy's early material, their vast creativity is evident in the subtle melodies and the light instrumental work. Frank Bornemann's vocals aren't horrid, but they do take away from the engulfing music that is being created behind his voice. As a progressive band, the instrumentation is the delicacy, so any singing that is involved blankets the purity of the music even slightly, especially in German prog where vocals are usually absent. An early Pink Floyd sound can easily be picked out of some of the slower tracks, like "All Life Is One." The last four tracks of the album represent Eloy as a duo, with only Bornemann and Gerlach at the helm, and it's definitely noticed. Without Hannes Folberth on accompanying synthesizer and Hannes Arkona on guitar, the band suffers from a lack of power and thickness. Chronicles II is an interesting journey into the latter part of this exciting prog rock group, but the true beauty of their sonic performances lies in their early work.

by Mike DeGagne, AMG

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Eloy - Ocean '77 & Chronicles II vol.3 '84 (2000)

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Eloy - Ocean '77 & Chronicles II vol.3 '84 (2000)

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Eloy - Ocean '77 & Chronicles II vol.3 '84 (2000)

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