POWER AND THE PASSION

Eloy

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.69 | 523 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

"Power and the Passion" is a concept album, all songs are tied together in chronological order, fixing a story. The story goes like this:

The protagonist, a young man disappointed by the problems that he and all other people face then (mid `70's), travels into time (back to 1358) to medieval Germany. There, he fells in love with the daughter of a feudarch and he merries her in exchange for giving his knowledge (technology, advanced information, etc) to her father. Meanwhile, a farmer's rebellion outbursts and he joins them. After losing a battle he is captured and put to jail, from which he escapes and return to present.

As Fr.Bornemann states: "The basic concept of the album is that beside the technological achievements and the advance of civilization, people keep on being exploited by other means and forms. Mankind has advanced one-sided. And this is a social-political comment."

Song compositions, enorchestrations and productions are more mature than before. Moreover, new synthesizers are used (mini-moog and mellotron). The raw, heavy, half-finished sound of the early era becomes space and melodic, clearly progressive giving Eloy an original musical identity that differentiate them from other German or British bands.

This album was a breakthrough in Greece, strangely a decade later (mid `80's), and made Eloy famous here. It also divided listeners into loyal fans and deadly enemies of Eloy.

In my opinion, it's Eloy's best effort until then, their first widely-sold album, which undoubtedly put them into spotlight. It's my favourite and with "Ocean" the best Eloy album. My favourite tracks are 2.Journey into 1358 and 4.Mutiny.

Unforunately, after short time, Eloy disbanded in 1975, because of 1) financial problems due to Jay Partridge's management and 2) disagreements between members concerning musical directions. However, Fr.Bornemann after while reformed the group with other members, this time becoming the leader in composition and production. {By the way, he produced Scorpions' "Fly to the Rainbow" album in 1974.}

*Find Bornemann's interview and other details in Eloy's official website.

nikosbakas | 4/5 | 2009-12-12

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