200 ÉVVEL AZ UTOLSÓ HÁBORÚ UTÁN [AKA: ÉLő OMEGA]

Containing identical tracks as Elo Omega with the exception of the title track, 200 evvel az utoslo haburo utan, the Hungarian communist government which controlled the Pepita record label refused to release this album in 1972 for political reasons. It was the first album recorded after the departure of Presser Gabor, Peter Laux and lyricist Anna Adamis. The new permanent line-up Started to move in a more progressive rock direction which resulted in a 3 year contract ( followed by a two year extension ) with the German label Bellaphon ( Bacillus ) records and all songs found on this recording were subsequently recorded in the English language on various German releases with the exception of Blues. As mentioned, the album marked a departure from the earlier mor psychedelic style of the band possibly as a result of classically influenced keyboard player Laszlo Benko Who had previously played flute and trumpet during Omega`s formative years in the 1960`s. He starts to fool around with electric keybaords and synths on this one if that`s your bag, in fact it`s a far cry from the previously recorded On the Road at Night in terms of keyboard work. Because it was recorded in the studio and due to re-mastering in the late 90`s one might want to skip over the poorly recorded 1972 Elo Omega album entirely unless you are a die hard completist. It is divided roughly 50/50 betweeen very beautiful minor keyed ballads which will rip your heart out such as the Hungarian renditions of Remembering , After a Hard Year and White Magic Stone while others in the form Omegacar ( Fancy Jeep in English on Omega III ) and One Man`s Land have a more harder edge and in the case of Omegacar a bit of psychedelia. This is the first time the title track, 200 Years After the Last War was available on CD ( it was available as a single as well as on an Omega compilation vinyl LP issued by the Pepita label In the early 80`s ). This is an excellent start for anyone wishing to get into the 70`s era ( the best era ) of the band which had matured progressively into more "symphonic" oriented music as did other bands from the west such as Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and others. Bearing in mind that the cold war was still in full swing at the time one has to wonder how many albums were smuggled into eastern Europe during this turbulent period. If I would have to compare this album with any contemporary music I would have to go ( remotely) with some early Genesis or German band Eloy, although Omega has always had their own unique sound. recommended for those who want to explore music from prog`s classic years.