Eloy

Eloy is a German art-rock band that was founded in 1969 by Frank Bornemann in Hanover. The name is the H. G. Wells 's novel The Time Machine taken in which a people called Eloi is described.

Style

The Music of Eloy is attributable to the art rock with a strong emphasis on organ and synthesizer. The band's sound transformed it in the 1970s from spherical to psychedelic rock towards a compositional expansive, hypnotic - symphonic progressive rock. Later both straight rock and New Age elements were added.

The texts are characterized by a strong tendency to internalize and to the mystical escapism often with apocalyptic themes. The achievements of technical civilization, best rated negative in spite of the sometimes futuristic sound image and are used such as in Power and the Passion as a vehicle " to travel to the Middle Ages and there first with the love of his life a joint to smoke ". The love is finally showing a glimmer of hope in the mystical and sinister world of Eloy.

Band History

Influence on the German rock scene

Eloy was founded as a school band and played their first official concert on April 29, 1970 at Freizeitheim Rickingen (Hannover). That same year, the band won a talent competition and was able to bring out two of her compositions at an independent record label as a single. In 1971 they played in Hamburg their first LP for the record label Philips. In the 1970s, Eloy became one of the most influential bands of the German rock scene, and was also commercially successful. The jump to EMI, one of the largest in the industry, the band managed 1973. Reached the peak of her career, the musician in 1979 with the album Silent Cries and Mighty Echoes. At this time the band played in the occupation of Frank Bornemann (guitar, vocals ), Klaus -Peter Matziol ( bass), Detlev Schmidtchen (keyboards ) and Jürgen Rosenthal ( drums), who also wrote the lyrics.

Success abroad

The albums Inside and Floating were published in the U.S. by Chess / Janus Records. After all, the music was so successful that, among others, Miles Copeland, who also worked for Wishbone Ash and The Police, offered his Manager services. After the label in 1975 disappeared from the market, there is no successor, who wanted to bring out the band's albums found. Contractual bonds were not available, so that Eloy albums were to get into the United States from now on only as an import. Contrary to some reports in the media Eloy had never given concerts in the United States.

After the unexpectedly large sales success of the album Ocean first concerts were given in other European countries. It started here in France. In February 1981, a lightning tour took place across Greece. A total of three concerts in the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, about 14,000 people experienced the band live. The musicians were received as superstars and were seen at this time many in the Greek television.

In the UK, acquired in 1982 the record label Heavy Metal Records (owner Paul Birch) the publishing rights for the albums Planets and Time to Turn. Both albums received new cover drawings by Rodney Matthews and published, among others, as a picture disc also performance and Metromania were from Heavy Metal Records releases (both as a Picture Disc ). BBC Radio 1 sent 1983 Eloy special, especially for the four pieces (On the Verge of Darkening Lights, Fools, Heartbeat, Through a Somber Galaxy) have been loaded. In 1984, Eloy gave three concerts in the United Kingdom: May 26, 1984 in Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, London ( South Bank Festival), and on May 27 and 28 at the Marquee Club, also in London. Both marquee concerts were sold out, a third had to be rejected due to other commitments. However, despite the great mutual interest in further concerts in England, the band broke up soon after.

Resolution, Reunion and subsequent projects

Despite the success it came the end of 1979 to the separation. Two members of the band preferring to devote their solo projects. After two new band members had been added, the next album was already recorded in the spring of the following year. Despite several crises, in which essentially involved a departure from the tried and tested Eloy sound concept, succeeded Frank Bornemann until 1984 to represent his line consistently. After a mini- tour in the UK, which was partially recorded by the BBC, and some concerts in Germany, the group split up to the year 1988.

The following projects were carried out together with many former members of the band headed by Frank Bornemann. It came four more studio albums and two compilations, mostly with new recordings of well-known pieces. Around the year 2000, the band released on its website the end of their live activities known. The last concert time being gave Eloy time on 19 December 1998.

Officially Eloy was never actually resolved, Frank Bornemann even while noting that in an interview published in 2003, the status of the band as " shelved, probably on eternal ice." On 20 November 2009 but was released a new studio album called Visionary. The double DVD The Legacy Box was released in 2010. 2011 also found again concerts, including a performance at the Night -of-the -Prog Festival at the Loreley. In July 2011, Eloy were encountered while Burg Herzberg Festival. In spring 2012, a Germany - tour was planned, which could take place by accident by Frank Bornemann only in the fall. Because of a cold Bornemann the concert in Cologne was withdraws at short notice and rescheduled in January 2013 with a mini tour in Cologne, Bielefeld and Mannheim. For January 2014, publication of Reincarnation on Stage! , A double CD with recordings of completed last tour, announced.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilations

Music Video, VHS and DVD

Other