ECHOES FROM THE PAST

Eloy, debut in 1969? name of the futuristic race of Wells, his Beatles-Shadows and psyche of Pink Floyd, then Yes, Camel and other King Crimson; sound based on Frank solos and spatial synths for a typed symphonic rock; this 21st concept opus completes the story of Jeanne, the great muse of the said guitarist. A progressive rock of yesteryear favoring atmospheres rather than instrumental virtuosity.

'Conspiracy' soaring floydian intro and Frank's 'Blues Brothers' riff sets the mood; an agreed pop-rock tune on a symphonic declination, phrasing and duo pads. 'Compassion for Misery' melody with a folkloric hint, languorous voice on a psychedelic keyboard in the background in interlude. 'Echoes from the Past' prog metal with drum roll and phrasing vocals complemented by female backing vocals; monolithic pompous air, oriental accents and a small station wagon, well done but predictable. 'Danger' continues, with a flute it sounds like Jethro Tull; laid down riff, without wave, the melody reassures and keeps the notion of melodic album concept; title that is slow to take off, classic finale. 'Deceptive Glory' sounds the same, like a facsimile of the previous titles for a conventional prog rock eyeing Barclay James Harvest. 'Warning Signs' phew a little space, finally it's good but it looks like the first title, the intro flirting with a sound of the BOF of 'Heavy Metal'; the central riff has an air of 'Kashmir' giving a pompous and grandiloquent air, the title which stands out. 'Fate' short and in repetition, without novelty, linear despite the contribution of the choir. 'The Pyre' on the same plot with a phrasing intro and a zeppelinian air, wanting to be grandiloquent, for the climb to the stake; the predictable break with the strumming guitar on one of AC/DC's most beautiful intros, yes you'll see we're even waiting for the bell; hovering, latent, atmospheric?well; unhappy to wait for the end of the album and this ethereal finale, new-wave reinforces the discomfort of a 2nd good title. 'Farewell' ends the album with a soft medieval ballad, the softness suits them better.

Eloy does Eloy, always preferring and/or compensating the technique with a bombastic and atmospheric ambiance, powerful but predictable; melodic, spatial passages, a classic prog tone almost hypnotic by the continuity of the air, moody, predictable, lacking in creativity; we are in 2023 and the situation has changed. Although they have a long career, it is a bit repetitive; even if it is melodic it is also a tad soporific.