DAWN

A crash of thunder, rain and storm clouds of orchestra strings opens up the magnificent "Dawn" by Eloy. Bornemann's familiar vocals soon come in and a beautiful acoustic flourish on 'Awakening'. The concept album was a huge drawcard to album listeners in the 70s and Eloy always delivered some of the best conceptual masterworks. The music with lengthy jamming instrumental was always designed for the conceptual link between songs and Eloy delighted listeners with lengthy complex compositions with reflective lyrics. The combination of virtuoso musicianship and high concept lyrical themes is an irresistible force and 1976 was at the peak of prog. Bands could get away with virtually anything and were free to express their own ideas through music no matter how outlandish.

"Dawn" is a complex album with some huge ideas put to very impressive musical themes. The tracks run together almost seamlessly as one and there are multi movement suites that encompass several songs such as 'Between The Times' in 3 sections with a variety of styles and time signatures, with inventive musical breaks.

These moments are definitely highlights and at times the music is uplifting and very emotionally charged such as the beautiful melancholia of 'The Sun Song.' The stirring majestic orchestral score at the end of this track is stunning; as good as the symphonic material on The Moody Blues "Days of Future Passed".

The majesty continues on 'The Dance in Doubt and Fear', with organic keyboards that glide over a strong percussive hook and pulsing bassline. Bornemann narrates the ideas and the music is allowed to flow along on beautiful key pads. The music soars to the stratosphere and is perhaps some of the loveliest musicianship from Eloy.

'LOST!?' in 2 parts is next beginning with 'Introduction', made up of deep chanting and synthlines. The bass and drums hook into a moderate tempo and a keyboard solo follows. After a passage of vocals ad uplifting music, the sound of waves crashing is heard followed by gorgeous emotional violins.

The second section is 'The Decision' beginning with cathedral organ in the vein of Sky's 'Toccata'. The currents of guitar lines flow on a river of synthesizer. It slowly ebbs meandering until Hammond and bass crash in. This is mesmirising music and it builds so gradually until Bornemann's vocals return like an old friend. The wall of synth is so effervescent and ethereal, and at the end a howling wind emanates.

'The Midnight-fight/ the Victory of Mental Force', an 8 minute prog feast, begins with a fast vocal delivery and an off beat bass heartbeat. The fast tempo drums are outstanding and later there are powerful string eruptions to augment the atmosphere of a battle in the heavenlies. The interlude is full of heavy Hammond shimmers and some dynamic percussion and bass. The lyrics are excellent too with effective rhyming phrases following the intricate musicianship. An echoed guitar stabs as violin strings ooze over gliding down over the melodies. The signature shifts again into a frenetic pace and some incredible keyboard, guitar strikes and jazzy percussion dominates.

'Gliding into Light and Knowledge' opens with weird bird calls and an acoustic layer. The ambience is joined with an accordion sound along a rhythmical figure. Bornemann sings phrases such as "where is the sun", "I'm gliding into light and knowledge and crossing everlasting pastures", "we live in here we suffered here", "into the everlasting future".

'Le Reveil du Soleil/ the Dawn' closes the album with a bass intro and some spacey synths and chimes. A spoken word is heard before an elongated passage of music with some angelic choral voices. The mood is like the dawning of a new day. A gong resounds and some vibrant percussion metrical figures before a loud synth takes over. The album ends on a majestic uplifting note as if dawn is closing in and the world is again at peace. The album has been a breathtaking momentous work of innovation.

"Dawn" is a stunning achievement; conceptually masterful with some of the most incredible musicianship of the mid 70s when prog was flourishing. The album stands out as another landmark for Eloy, along with "Ocean" and "Silent Cries and Mighty Echoes". A symphonic work of beauty, it is a diamond studded jewel in the treasure chest of progressive milestones.