ELOY

The first Eloy album sees them picking up a lot of cues from Black Sabbath - this much is obvious from opening track Today, which includes a competently imitated proto-doom drum and guitar attack after the spacey introduction - but it is possible to over-emphasise the influence of Ozzy and crew on Eloy at this point in time. Even when Rick Wakeman made a guest appearance on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, the Sabs never quite got a full Keith Emerson- esque keyboard assault like Wieczorke provides on many of the tracks here. The album is competently performed, but rather directionless - the band seem to be trying out whatever musical ideas come to mind in the process of working out exactly what they want to do, something they should probably have decided before entering the studio. Can't give this one more than two stars, but it's a decent enough start to their career and if you especially enjoy Eloy and are curious about their beginnings it's probably worth a listen.