SILENT CRIES AND MIGHTY ECHOES

I am starting to get into Eloy pretty extensively lately, always knew they were there but never really went beyond the two Ocean albums (Ocean 2 being a big favorite). I found this well- documented masterpiece and frankly (pun on Bornemann), this is damn good space rock, if you go beyond the Teutonic accented vocals. The Floyd vibe is very apparent on the opener, sounding exactly like a Wish You Were Here outtake, clearly intentionally but there is a strong Gong/Hawkwind feel as well, especially from the rhythm section and the spacey keyboards. Everything is supremely tasty, from the classy artwork and booklet to the tight compositions that are seemingly acutely focused on space/trance infused sonic travel. "Master of Sensation" is where the classic warp speed soundscape comes to the fore, deep, profound and infinite, almost danceable in a spooky way, the slithering synths flutter within the illuminated bass-driven galaxy. Bornemann has only to solo wildly over the Lunar crests and the Martian craters, all quite tastefully, might I add! This is a classic space rock track, a catapult into the harsher frontiers of electronica ruled by some aggressive rhythm section work. The massive and highly acclaimed "The Apocalypse" epic follows immediately, a measured and tempered pace keeps this horseman tightly reined in by a robust and unyielding bass disciplinarian in Klaus-Peter Matziol, aided and abetted by sultry keyboards and scintillating guitar licks that whiz by the asteroids, blossoming into colossal bluesy leads that would do the Gilmour guy proud. The male and female choir work is a new fangled addictive additive that catches one by pleasant surprise, the brief feminine vocal infuses some sexiness into the deal but its really the famed "floating" quality that provides the deserved respect. Very mellow and dreamy as the finale basks in some near TDream-like atmospheres , sequencers and blistering synth leads galore. Another true classic ! "Pilot to Paradise" is another bass bulldozer, a near funky 4 string beat that sets the tone, tout de suite! Nothing ultra complex, just a head-down, full-bore cosmic launch into the senses that proves their worth, as they morph into a neo classical expanse and finish off back diving into the fury. "De Labore Solis" is where they get crafty, swerving into more experimental areas that blur the line between prog and electronics. Sort of like a space ballad that flirts with the mind. The solemn "Mighty Echoes" introduces Frank's finest lead vocals (though his German accent is hilarious) as the focal point that has all the typical Eloy ingredients firmly in place, the Floydian vibe close and upfront, unashamed. I cannot praise this enough as it's inspired, thoughtful and yet utterly relaxed progressive space rock and an absolute must for real fans of planetary arts. The closing guitar solo once again reinforces all the truths, searing and soaring with abandon. The slight gloomy (choir and mellotron) edge is what sets them apart from the other space bandists, much to our pleasure. My copy is a re- master, so there are 2 bonus tracks that tow the line in many ways, "Child Migrations" is short and direct, perhaps in a definite Hawkwind mode circa "Quark Strangeness and Charm", a cool strutting guitar lead and a glossy female choir spicing things up. Same general impressions for the second 3 and a half closer, the bass curling temptingly and the mood dancing along.

I do not know if this analogy is far fetched and perhaps even worthy of censorship but space rock is fantastic "sex" music, trust me on this, a joyous accomplice in providing sonic aura to the all the passionate lovemaking. I mean Hawkwind, Gong, Floyd, Ozric Tentacles (Wow!) and now Eloy, just bloody amazing, musical Viagra! 5 Achtung Babies

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