OCEAN

It's quite undeniable that most of the productions by this Germanic band deserve especial recognition, but "Ocean", definitely surpassed the boundaries of expectation set upon them, and showed that limits and paradigms could be alienated and in cases like this particularly, drive the way to establish the next parameter of measurement in the world of music. Far beyond the experimentation and constant introspection blended in the creation of this album, the transitional significance plays and important role as well. Severely underrated, this 1977 album is as cathartic as enigmatic under the signature of masterpiece. It doesn't really reach to the appellative of "magnificent" or "indispensable" since there are still, too many proggers out there that haven't started their journey to approximate their ears to this melodic, symphonic music written and composed by such overlooked musicians that certainly knew their way throughout the prog world. Without intending to apply my consideration of keeping ELOY under the terms of "favorite bands ever" as a palliative, I recognize they're unpopular somehow since the diffusion and the media have been very punitive to the band since they weren't contemplated as "breakthrough" and got unarguably overshadowed by the upper class bands. I believe changes started to manifest, and by changes I'm talking about recognition given and getting a place under the spotlight for once and for all; right after the band released "Silent Cries and Mighty Echoes" a couple of years later and rose eyebrows and opened widely the ears of the people out of surprise and incredibility. Previous releases by the band such as "Power and the Passion" and "Dawn" started to take place in history in very meaningful ways, they got to be appreciated to depths of worshiping the band and everything surrounding them. Therefore, "Ocean" became the jewel it is nowadays, it experimented that so-called transition and got the spot it deserves.

The opening scene, "Poseidon's Creation", has got a two way use. Firstly, the task of indoctrinate your ears and mind all over again by listening to mind-blowing mellotron and keyboards preludes displayed so fiercely by Detlev SCHMIDTCHEN, and to a revealing, quite peculiar sound of voice expelled by Frank BORNEMANN so you could fit in the world of this enigmatic band. All of this, just as the proper introduction. Secondly, this track perfectly performs the function of red carpet to "Incarnation of the Logos", which happens to appear so soft and quiet, it violently switches the ambiance and mood, into mysteriousness and inert time lapses. The sound of hypnotic, minimalist cymbals and keyboards surround the atmosphere, the lyrics float around that empty room inside your mind, the cold sweat runs through your spine in the shape of a distorted voice in between the song. then the impact is irremediably taken towards the entire track and there's nothing much to do but to flow with the spacial, captivating music.

"Decay of the Logos" is the complementary part of the iconographic saga, so scrutinizing, that lacks of imperfections and musical blanks. Maybe not as powerful as its predecessor, but it certainly sparkles and irradiates with a spirit of its own. Arguably, the most transitional and defying track out the entire record since it breaks and tears the progressive schemes predicted to happen so far in the album. It's not even worth it to resist, this song will take over your mind and will possess your entire senses to the level where you'll possibly have no control over yourself. Astonishing crafted piece. The instruments are individually represented but the full instrumentation reflects a spotless coordination and work.

If it weren't just enough so far, the "epic suite" blank (if there ever existed such a thing for ELOY), is majestically filled by "Atlantis' Agony at June 5th 8498, 13 P.M. Gregorian Earthtime". Simply indescribable. From the profound, almost heavenly message incarnating the commands to follow interpreted by an earthly God, to the last tune of the track, the sound reaches the heights of purity and voraciousness so fantastically, it'll only make you restart the album over. There are not failures, no mistakes or even a single stain in the production of this album. Magnificent.

I might've exaggerated on the amount of compliments destined to this album, but believe me, they're simply not enough and there are no possible remaining words to enounce the power and the credibility of this latter half of the 70's album. A point of departure to newly born fans in the eyes of the world described by ELOY. A signifying milestone to assiduous fans. Just cannot get enough of this proposing band. Undoubtedly, the highest ratings to be set upon this production.