OMEGA

Hungary's premier rock group, Omega have incredibly featured the same five-man line-up since 1971(!). They have issued both English-language and Hungarian-language albums over the years, in the process originating from humble late-sixties beat-and-psych origins to, by the mid-seventies, fully-fledged progressive rock concept album creators. The most successful of all Hungarian rock and pop groups, and even finding an audience abroad, Omega's lengthy career simply can't be summed up in a paragraph or two, their output prodigious in the extreme. Issued in 1975, 'The Hall Of Floaters In The Sky' is premium Omega circa their progressive phase, a good place to start for the curious and a wonderful example of full-steam-ahead symphonic-style prog done European-style yet obviously heavily influenced by the likes of Yes, Genesis and even Todd Rundgren's Utopia. Featuring plenty of jagged synthesizer blasts, topped-up with metallic guitars, burnished with gritty English vocals and filled with enough instrumental invention to make most mid-seventies rock groups blush with envy, this is a truly remarkable album, though don't expect any cultural Hungarian tweaks or traditional East European folk-or-zydeco influences; this is harsh, hard and energetic music filled with catchy melodies and some fiendishly inventive solo's from the groups five-man line-up. Being from 1975, it leans more towards the electronic- sounding production that would arrived with the 1980's, though a 1970's sensibility still lurks amongst the album's six entrancing tracks. Best of all are 'Magician', which powers up via some muscular guitar histrionics courtesy of axeman Gyorgy Molnar, and the eight-minute closer '20th Century Town Dweller', which balances shimmering synth lines with throbbing basses and some truly chest-thumping percussion licks. Whether this is a good example of the work of Omega in general is a good question; this critic, although a fan of 'The Hall Of Floaters In The Sky', is in no position to answer as much of the group's work is simply inaccessible to Western audiences. That said though, if their other 'key' albums of the 1960's and 1970's are anything like this impressive opus then Omega must be one hell of a group. This is tough, creative and classy progressive rock and fans of all types of the genre are urged to investigate immediately. And what about that cover art. Hungary eh? Who'd have thought... STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2013

Definitely the most important Hungarian rock band with fans outside the country even in the 70's,releasing albums both in English and Hungarian.Formed in 1962 in Budapest by guitarist/singer János Kóbor and keyboardist László Benkö,they initially covered English titles before the arrival of new keyboardist Gábor Presser in 1967.Presser was a composing machine and the band started to record its first few albums.Until 1970 they released no less than four works in the Psychedelic Rock field with some Hard Rock leanings.Presser along with drummer József Laux decided to leave Omega to form Locomotiv GT and on the new line-up Kobor was the singer,Benko the main keyboardist along with Ferenc Debreceni on drums,Tamás Mihály on bass and György Molnár on guitars.The sound of the band started to become more artistic and after two albums (''Omega'' and ''Omega 5'' from 1973),the break took place in 1974 with ''200 Years After the Last War''.

Side A is totally dedicated to the 19-min. virgin epic of the band ''Suite''.This is an eclectic mix of Hard Rock,Blues,ELOY-ish Psychedelic Rock and Classic Prog and a very good reason to purchase the album,with the classical education of Benko being a major element of the sound.The track contains plenty of shifting moods and mellow breaks between guitar- driven passages with hard-rocking and bluesy riffing and keyboard-based themes with magnificent organ and mellotron and a high level of dynamics from start to end.Vocals were never the strong point of the band,but fit well with the overall atmosphere.The result is a very strong composition with various influences and some really exciting parts.

Side B shows the band insisting on the more simplistic but certainly strong style of their previous albums.''Help to find me'' is a powerful heavy rock number with a pounding groove in the vein of DEEP PURPLE but also some great moog-synth work to be heard in the middle part and towards the end.The eponymous track starts very country-flavored,it has strong psychedelic elements,some decent jazzy guitars but it is by far the weakest track of the album and sounds rather dated for today's standards.The closing ''You Don't Know'' finds the band again in the DEEP PURPLE vein with Benko having a very JON LORD-style of organ playing and a very BEATLES-que vocal section.The track is again powerful,energetic,groovy but also too simple-structured compared to side A.

''200 Years After the Last War'' marked the end of an era and the start of a new age for Omega,with the band following the prog fashion of the period.The talent, education and skills of the members were enough to flirt with the style anf if you like your Hard Rock with plenty of progressive moves,this album is a great contender of being part of your collection.Recommended.

— First review of this album —

The album "Transcendent" with English lyrics in my opinion suffered badly because of Edwin Balogh's lead vocals. He is a competent singer, but for me OMEGA always associated with the voice of János Kóbor. On ''Tower of Babel'' single the band made a good trick - vocal duties are shared equally between two singers. János Kóbor has recognizable timbre, while Edwin has better English pronunciation. As a result the record sounds like OMEGA and without noticeable accent.

Selection of songs is also good. The title track (originally called ''Babylon'' on 1987 album) and ''Tide Will Turn'' (English version of ''Fekete pillangó'' from ''Omega XII'') are among the best OMEGA songs from the 80s. ''Break the Chain'' and ''Tomorrow'' are the most memorable songs from "Transcendent". Hardly essential, but nice record.

While many will just gasp and cringe at the prospect of yet another hybrid rock band / symphony orchestra exploration of a band's career, long time Omega fans will no doubt embrace this work. Released as the first of a trilogy of symphonic interpretations of Omega music in anticipation of the band's 50th anniversary in September 2012 the album.

Omega's music has always been structured over strong melodies and romantic themes and therefore work well in a symphonic context so I wouldn't write Omega Rhapsody off straight away if you are not familiar with their music. The sound is bright & expansive and even some of the heavier tracks benefit from the rich orchestral treatments, technology has come a long way since Deep Purple's Concerto For Group & Orchestra and the presence of electric instruments here is not obstrusive in the least. As the title suggests it is a miscelaneous selection Omega tracks taken mostly from their later repetiore ( 80s -90s ), avoiding such overplayed classics as The Girl With The Pearls In Her Hair and Help To Find Me. At the age of 67 Kobor's voice holds up astonishingly well and the only problems arise when he starts singing in English on several tracks where his intonation becomes a bit shaky at times. Those familiar with Omega over the years will be aware of this problem. The consistency of this otherwise immpecably produced album by John Gallen, ( Queen, Motorhead ) is slightly marred by the English tracks. Hungarian is an eloquent language when sung and I wish they could have stuck to songs with Hungarian lyrics for this project ( the songs that appear were actually written in English).

I would rank this on par with Omega keyboardist Laszlo Benko's 1992 keyboard tribute, Omegamix, released on Omega's 30th anniversary. Although it has been released by a German record company, Edel, Omega Rhapsody will appeal mostly to loyal fans who are already familiar with the music but it might turn a few heads if marketed wisely. Stay tuned for two more installments of symphonic Omega before the end of 2012.

This DVD was quite a long time a mystery to me. Released in 2005 in limited number of copies which were sold out quickly, it became available for wider audience only 4 years later. Now you can easily find it in Hungary (I saw it even in supermarkets and small shops at gasoline stations for less than $5). New edition has different, brown cover with the band's photo. Ordering it in online stores, if you live in another country, is not that simple, but anyway possible.

In 2004 OMEGA toured Hungary and because the band does not tour every year these concerts automatically attracted fans from their homeland and other countries. This DVD includes performances from different shows in different cities. Perhaps not a bad idea, but the final result makes me think that it could be realized better.

Highlights from the show at Puskás Ferenc Stadion (former Népstadion) in Budapest (tracks 1 - 11) are the jewel of this disc. Imagine fireworks in the sky under giant (about 70 000 seats plus people standing on football field) stadium, three big screens, smoke, pyrotechnics, light and laser show, enthusiastic audience and OMEGA doing their best with the help of Zsolt Gömöri (keyboards, Hammond organ), guitar virtuoso Tamás Szekeres and two backing singers. János Kóbor, one of the best rock-frontmen of all time, in his (then) 61 never stands still, often runs along the big stage and sings almost like in good old days. Keyboard and guitar solos and improvisations, tight rhythm with melodic bass lines from Tamás Mihály, power and beauty at the same time. Sound, picture and montage are perfect. OMEGA plays magical music. And they know how to rock! Looking at these veterans (the band was formed in, oh my God, 1962) I can tell you that many 2-3 times younger musicians look onstage like deadly ill in comparison to OMEGA. 55 minutes fly like seconds. Definitely I want to see the whole show!

Tracks 12 - 16, taken from the concert in Debrecen, were already published on ''Napot hoztam, csillagot'' DVD (2004). All these songs are OMEGA classics, with inevitable (and still beautiful) ''Gyöngyhajú lány'' in the end. Again light and laser show. Almost as good as footage from the concert in Budapest, but something's missing - maybe fireworks, impossible in indoor venue, maybe something else. I would prefer to see these songs if they were taken from Budapest concert.

All other tracks are rather extra features than a part of the main programme. And not the best possible features. Poorly filmed (often with one camera, without changing plans) and recorded, they only 'spoil the party'. I don't think you'll watch them more than once.

Photo gallery contains interesting and often funny photos, but they change each other too fast, to look them carefully, you need to push Pause button from time to time.

In general, this disc is a good example how DVDs should not be made. Words of great Hungarian poet Attila Jozsef ''Nem! Nem! Soha!'' (''No! No! Never!'') come to mind. I beg of OMEGA: please, never compile videos this way! But the part with Budapest concert is so strong that I can't give the whole DVD less than 4 stars. If this disc contained the entire Puskás Ferenc Stadion concert it would be a 5-star record.

— First review of this album —

Buried treasure

Rare German single with two versions of the same song, ''Gyöngyhajú lány''. Originally recorded in 1969, this wonderful tune became OMEGA's visit card and it closes almost every band's concert till now.

In 1973 OMEGA toured Germany and recorded some of their songs with German lyrics. Most of these records were published only in 1997 on ''Das Deutsche Album'' CD, relatively rare item but still possible to find.

Side A presents German (the same as on ''Das Deutsche Album'') version of ''Gyöngyhajú lány'' called ''Perlen im Haar''. The most interesting is side B of the single, containing instrumental version of the song, never released on CD yet. It is quite different record - keyboards and guitar solos were added, making it a good instrumental piece in its own right.

Undisputed treasure for OMEGA fans and a good record for others. The only problem is its rarity. I only wish this B-side to be released on CD and be listened by everyone who needs it.

2012 EDIT: Both vocal and instrumental versions of ''Perlen im Haar'' from this single were published in 2011 as bonus tracks on ''Omega'' (1973) album reissue by Austrian label Enigmatic Records (ENICD 05, http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=3763).

Very early Hungarian supergroup Omega's release - released in UK under the name " Omega Red Star". One of the very first Eastern European bands release in Western Europe, with English lyrics.

Unhappily I never saw Omega playing life till now! Somewhere in early 90-s I saw Gabor Pressner, their composer and multi-instrumentalist, who became a serious music composer at that time, when he bring his modern ballet to Vilnius Opera. And these early beat, psychedelic and rock roots were all very feel-able in his music.

There on this release Omega's fan can enjoy they roots - beat-based early psychedelia, some hard rock, strongly mixed with Hungarian folklore. It's still far not that music with bring fame to this band. But melodic and folksy moments with strong vocals are really enjoyable there.

Late 00's CD re-release has quite good clear sound and nice mixing.

I remember when I bought this LP back in 1974, one of the first prog albums I had in my life. It was released in Brazil during the brief ´german rock´ craze of the time. Several recording companies thought Germany would be the hot spot for new acts and hoped for great sales with the space rock genre. Of course that didn´t happen and they quickly stopped releasing these records im Brazil, but not before we fans were presented with a generous dose of highly different music: Gila, Guru Guru, Ammon Düull, Carthago, Eloy, Kraftwerk and so many others were available along with the pop artists of the moment and the more famous british and american rock acts of the day. Ok, Omega was from Hungary, but they released their english sung albums through the german Bellaphon label and that´s why they ever arrived here.

Lucky me. At 15 I had the opportunity to listen to something unsual. Well, not too unusual. Omega was not that much progressive, although 200 years After The Last War is probably their most symphonic due to the 19 minute Suite that ran through the vinyl´s entire first side. It has some definitve strong moments, with a great beginning full of strong vocals, fine guitars and beautiful keyboards (including a lot of the ever present mellotron). The middle section is way more hard rocking and bluesy before they return to a more symphonic approach on the third and final movement. Not entirely convincing, but with some excellent parts anyway. Side two has only three distinctive tracks: the hard hitting Trying To Find Me is a highlight. With a driving beat, followed by a delightful guitar riff and swirling moog line (and crazed solo), it´s one of Omega´s classic stuff. I even remember this tune being played on some rock stations.

The title track is a more folkish affair, with their producer taking the lead vocals for a change. Nice too and showed how versatile Omega was. The last song, You Don´t Know is a typical heavy prog tune that coudl be on any MKII Deep Purple album: the guitar and organ riff is pure DP. Production is only average. Some people complained that the heavily accented vocals was a hindrance, but they didn´t bother me at all. since they were very well sung. All the musicians are very good with a special nod to the excellent bass player.

Conclusion: a very good album. As a reviewerI´m giving it 3.5 stars, but for personal reasons I´ll round up to four. Probably Omega´s best moemnt ever and their most progressive.

Well, this album must be mentioned and remembered by future generation of prog listeners. OMEGA's "Gammapolis" is actually one of the masterpieces from central European Progressive rock.

OMEGA in Hungary is stadium-rock band over there. When I heard their live album first, I was surprised at huge singings of whole audience. They are not technical band, but their song writing talent is unbeatable for B-level british rock bands. Especially keyboards phrase is always impressive with a bit baroque taste which makes their music very "European".

If you like this album, I recommend that you check also their 5th through 7th album. Then, you should sail out to the other central European prog such as East, After Crying, Solaris, or SBB, Quidam, and many more. I am sure you will find treasures there, but the entrance is this OMEGA.

In 1976 Omega were at the peak of their powers and were one of the few Eastern European bands touring out beyond the confines of the Iron Curtain. This single contains tracks which were recorded two years apart and it is quite obvious that they were capitalizing on the success of the Idorablo ( Time Robber ) album both in the English language and in Hungarian languages which were released in early late '76 and early '77 respectively from which the A side track was lifted.

The side A track, A Konyvelo alma ( an acountant's Dream ) from the Pepita LP Idorablo is representitive of the shorter songs that rocked it out a little more that balanced out Omega's balads and longer spacier music they were beginning to write as far back as 1974-75 on albums such as Nem tudom a neved and Hall Of Floaters in The Sky ( which is the Enlish title of the flip side Az egben lebegok csarnoka ). Obviously an executive decision here to put two songs on a single which were recorded three years apart, Az egben lebegok csarnoka first appearing inHungarian on 1974's Nem tudom a neved. A more progressive song and short enough to fit on a single so why not ? It can also be found on the English language Hall Of Floaters In The Sky LP both on the DECCA and Bellaphon labels.

Nothing really noteworthy about this single from the record sleeve to the two songs. Like all Omega singles from any period this is only of interest to fanatical collectors and extremely hard to find.