(Artist Station Records) Total Time: 42:06
Some eleven years since their last album, “Ocean II – The Answer” the masters of cosmic psycherdelic prog rock, return, with pretty much their line up intect, only augmented, but a former member of the band from the early 80’s keyboardist Hannes Folberth.
The release itself looked doubtful – most people thought the band was dead and buried but F.Bornemann, decided to once again, turn the controls for the heart of the sun, so to speak…
The dreamy quality of the music of Eloy is pretty much intect. Parts Floyd, parts ELP, parts Jethro Tull… and beyond. The sound quality, is top notch and the visual concepts, cover and general artwork, are fantastic as always. I have pretty much enjoyed most of the albums discography and Visionary is not quite the album that will change my appreciation of the band. If I had to draw parallels I ‘d say visionary sounds like a crossing between some of the bands finest material, (early 80s albums, from Colours to Time to Turn) with the later and not as gratifying output on Destination. Overall the psychedelic and electronic elements are not as many or as evident here, with a more melodic and rhythmical style, becoming apparent. The interesting new version of “Time To Turn”/Challenge and Mystery/(The Secret pt2) are quite an exception to that cannon. Other than those – “Age of insanity” and the drifting “Summernight Symphony” seem to be quite memorable as well. But hey – there’s only 7 tunes on the album. To cut to the chase, here we have some great music, performed by great musicians, with great ideas and genuine love, for their art and their fanbase. So what if Eloy – never attained the same impetus as some British bands of the genre. So what if your average Joe in the street has no idea, about who they are and couldn’t name a single song of theirs (a side effect of being force fed so called – progressive – garbage, mainly by the all seeing all knowing British trend chasing journos) – this does nothing to chip away any of the glory or the majesty of the music of Eloy. They are leaving behind them a legacy that will endure. Some people will be forgotten and buried by the sand of time. But Not Eloy.
I am just hoping, that Herr B, might as well do another album, before calling it quits for good, as he must be pushing 60, or something. Also some touring would be most welcome, as they ‘re a band I wouldn’t mind at all, catching live, while maybe expanding my horizons and reality.
