METROMANIA

Now here's a geeky record full of sci-fi drenched eighties synth-rock with some minor progressive moments. When I listen to other Eloy records I often find them a bit unrefined, but this most typical of eighties records is actually something the band does really well. There's just a layer of authenticity that makes the faulted magic of eighties synth-rock work here; I really find myself drifting off to the world the cover art imagines. The album would work really well as a soundtrack for sci-fi animation movies like 'Heavy Metal' or 'Wicked City'. The album has two longer songs that have a little more to offer for the progressive rock listeners. 'All Life is One' has a nice dark mysterious vibe and great electronic effects. 'Follow the Light' is a nine-minute slow-burner with a nice female choir. It has some great instrumental sections as well and ends rather interestingly with a mellow synth outro. The other songs are in the pop-music format, but are filled with layers of atmospheric synths and cliche guitar riffs that dó sound right here. 'The Stranger' is perhaps the most catchy of them, but none of them are below average. Some extra guitar leads by Bornemann wouldn't have hurt though. 'Nightriders' sounds like it could have been an Eloy cover of a Motorhead song like 'Lawmen'. Pumpin' and working towards some exciting highs. The solo reminds me of the sound Iron Maiden would chose on the 'Somewhere in Time' album. The title song 'Metromania' is the most electronical song and reminds me a bit of Tangerine Dream's music of that time. The band Saga comes to mind as well. A pretty solid ending for an already strong second side of the record. In conclusion; this a very catchy and atmospherical record that is more consistant and complete than the records Hawkwind would produce in the same time period. For now it is my favorite Eloy album.