ARMAGEDDON

I listened to the first number in the store and bought it on that very strenght as effectively I See People is good. But unfortunately the rest of the album was not of the same acabit(the same vein or type) and after three months and a few listens , I got rid of it . This band had potential , though with their rather psychedelic sound. Too bad they did not use the potential. Not one of the better Second Battle release.

The album "Armageddon" (1982) by the formation PLJ BAND is often considered as one of the most compelling progressive rock albums ever made. The sound is very unique: a captivating progressive blend of acoustic - and electric folk and (space) rock with a strong psychedelic undertone. The tension between the acoustic - and classical guitars (twanging and rhythm) and the soaring and spacey keyboards on one hand and the fiery and howling, distorted electric guitarplay on the other hand creates a lot of tension and compelling climates, emphasized by the hypnotizing vocals. The stunning surrealistic cover art is in the vein of Salvador Dali. Perhaps his mind reigns over this album? If you want a psychedelic experience without drugs, this one is yours!

this album made me speechless...not many have done that. i never thought there would be another GREAT greek band since Aphrodite's Child and Iraklis,but i was wrong. when i first heard this album,a few weeks ago,it made me wonder,what if there will be a armageddon...?!the album itself isnt a masterpiece,but some tracks are THE thing. I see people,Dye and ArmageddonII are those timeless songs i never get tired of, Theme is a nice,easy going tune,that might have needed some extra kick with some nice lyrics,but maybe it was better to just leave it like this... Starwish i think is just a filler,its meaningless and probly should have been left out. the albums artwork describes the bands music very good,IMHO. in general im happy that ive found this album. a album worth pay for is also worth rating.

This is such a unique recording. Rightly listed under Psychedelic / Spacerock yet there is this Krautrock flavour throughout. This band is from Greece and they released this album back in 1982. Soon after it's release though the government started to destroy these records feeling they contained blasphemous lyrics. I wish I had a copy of the lyrics because I haven't heard what they apparently heard. Mind you there is some Greek lyrics, but the rest is in English. The cd versions that came out in the nineties were copied directly from an LP. Interesting that there are three guitarists playing on this album. Mostly lead guitar with rhythm guitar, but there is 12 string guitar as well. It's just cool hearing that guitar interplay.

"Intro" opens with the wind blowing as synths, guitar and drums join in. This is pretty trippy stuff. Love the guitar that comes in after 2 1/2 minutes, very psychedelic. The wind is back and check out the guitar after 4 minutes. Nice. Great start. "I See People" is a hair raising song as we can hear spoken vocals and the noise of a crowd. It's like a prophet is preaching on the street or in a market while people mill about. Synths take over when he stops with strummed guitar as the tempo picks up. Spoken words and a calm return after 2 minutes. "Ezekiel" continues that theme only this time we get these monotone female vocals quoting Ezekiel's words that he received from God. These words tell the people that judgment is coming,desolation and destruction will fall upon the land from the hand of God. It ends with "...then you shall know that I am the Lord." This is followed by Post-Rock styled guitar. Cool. The guitar starts to cry out before 3 minutes as the other guitar is strummed. Synths end it.

"Oye" opens with gentle guitar. Spoken vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as the sound gets much fuller. The guitar starts to light it up before 3 minutes with synths in the background. It turns spacey 3 1/2 minutes in as vocals return. "Armegeddon I" and "Armageddon II" are the two longest tracks, each over 7 minutes in length. The first one opens with the sound of water, drums, synths and gentle guitar as Latin spoken words come in. The guitar, synths and vocals become more prominant 4 minutes in. "Armageddon II" is the more energetic of the two. A good beat with strummed guitar to open. Guitar lights up the soundscape after a minute. Nice. Vocals cry out after 3 minutes as the synths dominate the sound. The guitar is lighting it up again after 4 minutes and later at 5 1/2 minutes. Great tune. "The Void" is as the title might suggest an experimental one. "Theme" opens with church bells before gentle guitar and drums come in. Synths are very prominant. "Star Wish" ends the album with some hope as we get an uplifting soundscape with actual singing for the first time. Gentle guitar helps out. Drums, bass and synths come in after a minute.

This is one of those special albums i'm so glad to have in my collection. It's one of a kind really.