Eloy
Ocean

THE REVIEW

Searching through my records for something unreviewed, I came across this delicate and ambitious work by a band known only to Progressive enthusiasts.

The sound is very reminiscent of the more experimental Pink Floyd, those from "Live at Pompeii" (a concert you should definitely buy if you don't have it) to be specific. There is extensive use of keyboards and guitar effects to create a very futuristic sound that is not yet outdated. The bass, very precise and catchy, and the drums, really very imaginative and decorative, add that superb and complete "Wall of Sound" that will greatly appeal to fans of keyboard-centric progressive (I cite "Heaven" by Gracious for clarity).

The German band also loved making each album a Concept, and this one tells the story and destruction of Atlantis. Let's start discussing the tracks: "Poseidon's creation" is perhaps the album's most beautiful piece, also the most "usual": an excellent instrumental moment at the beginning over which Bornemann's delicate voice gradually arrives to tell us the imaginative story of the destruction of Atlantis. The end track solo is incredible, with a dramatic and dark sound somewhat akin to Gilmour. The second track is already more original, "Incarnation of Logos," is much more sinister and almost cosmic, excellent final part where keyboards and drums play a dominant role... the album is scoring points, isn't it? The next track "Decay of logos" is more lively than the first, with excellent bass cues and a sense of fear for something about to happen, let's say a sword of Damocles...

And grand finale: "Atlantis agony" is perhaps the redemption and purification of the human race, as intended and musically translated by the German band. The beginning is almost entirely vocal (many may disagree, but I see a lot of early Magma in this track), then slowly the keyboards come in, with their dark and cosmic sounds: it feels like being lost in infinity...

And finally, as always, an excellent more instrumental part... Great record, the rating leans towards a 4 and a half.