OMEGA 12 - A FÖLD ÁRNYÉKOS OLDALÁN

I am at pains to even give this one star. More 80`s techno- pop explorations not much different from the atrotcious Omega XI album. Nothing sounding even remotely like their brilliant seventies work. One can only ask themselves why? Subsequent albums, however, began to steer back towards earlier Omega sound.

Even more pop-sounding album than its predecessor, ''Omega XI''. Was OMEGA 'sold out'? I think no. It was a peak of the band's enthusiasm for computer technologies. János Kobor explained in the interview (1985, taken from gammapolis.de):

''- Question: What is the importance of this technology?

- JK: It's relatively hard to explain in few words to understand but I will try. To start, the microcomputer is good for everything, like for sound, also for musical sound effects. We started out of this realization and with the help of the machine we solved two important things: we perfected the techniques of instruments' playing and we recorded different acoustic sounds digitally which we made audible through the keys of the synthesizer. Our computer is capable to create every kind of sounds, from the whispering of tree leaves to the meowing of the cat. Of course for musical sound effects also.

- Question: Did you use this kind of new computer system before?

- JK: In parts yes - for example on Benko's synthesizer albums - but as complete System, not yet. On our soon to be released OMEGA XII album this technology will play the lead role.''

No doubt anyone has the right to experiment. But results in case of this album, in my opinion, are disappointing. Probably the album sounded modern in 1987, but now it sounds extremely outdated. Music writing is also quite weak. The only memorable song is ''Fekete pillangó'' (Black Butterfly). Beautiful song, but, again, its far better live version, with Klaus Meine (vocals) & Rudolf Schenker (guitar) of THE SCORPIONS, can be found on ''Népstadion Omegakoncert No. 2 Srarazblokk'' CD and ''Nepstadion 1994'' DVD.

I never heard ''Omega XII'' LP, but 1994 CD edition is terrible, I get the feeling like the sound is heard from behind the closed door. 2004 remastered CD sounds infinitely better.

For fans/collectors only. And, if you decide to buy this album, better get remastered version.