OMEGA 5 [AKA: SZVIT]

Containing versions of work which was subsequently released in the English language, eastern European engineering technology was still not up to par with western standards in 1973 when this album was released. My first comment is about Ference Debreceni's drum sound. He might as well have been playing on cardboard boxes. However this does not detract from his talent as a skilled percussionist. There are many improvements, nevertheless, to be found in the Omega sound on this very interesting album. Their first and only (successful) attempt at an "epic track" can be found here in the form of Svit (to be found in English on the second Bellaphon release 200 Years After The Last War) It weaves it's way through a number of movements with many dynamics beginning off with a dreamy vocal/keyboard section describing an awakening from a long slumber. It proceeds, very poetically to describe a working day and develops at mid point into a blues /rock extraviganza culminating with a very soft conclusion. This is prog! The first section of the disc features a series of shorter tracks some of which really rock out such as The Bird, The Lying Girl andYou Don't Know. There is also a romantic ballad in the form of Remembering. Go to the official Omega web-site for literal translations to the lyrics. Definitely of interest to any pure 1970's prog fan.