Founded in 1969 by guitarist Frank Bornemann, the band has endured several line-up changes, with Bornemann being the only consistent member of the group. In the 1980s, after a series of major splits (like in 1984 although reformed in 1988) in the group, Bornemann pursued a more commercial direction. Despite attracting a large following, the band never gained popularity in the United States.
However, in later years, former members of the band re-joined, and in 1998 fans delighted in hearing Ocean 2, a return to the classic symphonic progressive genre that the band was so well known for. A sequel to the 1977's original, it is commonly thought among fans that it successfully recaptures the spirit of the band, and is a worthy follow-up to the much beloved classic.
Of the band's numerous records, fans generally consider Inside, Floating, Dawn, Ocean, Silent Cries & Mighty Echoes, Planets and Ocean 2 to be the superior albums.
Despite their nationality, the band is not generally considered krautrock due to their sound which has much more in common with English progressive groups such as Pink Floyd and Yes.
In 2009 after a decade of hiatus Frank Bornemann released a DVD celebrating their 40th anniversary and a new album called Visionairy.
In the following period he worked on a concept double album about the life of the Maid of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc. The album The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt. 1 was released in 2017, followed by The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt. 2 in 2019.
Current Line-up:
Frank Bornemann
Klaus-Peter Matziol
Hannes Arkona
Hannes Folberth
Bodo Schopf
Imprisonment
Eloy Lyrics
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It's dark and drab and damp:
They throw me crusts to eat
Drink water from the well.
I was playing my part in this dreadful war
When someone ran me through:
They bound me up in chains,
And that's the last I knew.
And they observe each move I make:
I wonder if they'll let me out alive
I know there's no way to escape
I know the feeling of dejection:
To be imprisoned for no crime:
So God please take me out of here
You are my one hope at this time.
Why are those people shouting?
Is the battle lost or won?
Now the footsteps of the guards
Will my chains be tightened or undone?
In Eloy's song "Imprisonment," the singer describes the experience of being a prisoner of war. He is trapped in a cell that is dark, drab, and damp. He is only given food in the form of crusts and water from a well. The singer explains that he was playing his part in the war when someone stabbed him and he was captured and chained up. He is being watched day and night by the guards who carefully observe every move he makes. The singer is afraid that he will never be released and has no way to escape. He displays a sense of dejection and despair, feeling imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. He asks God to help him and become his one hope of survival. As he hears shouting from outside, he wonders if the battle is won or lost and if his chains will be tightened or undone.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting here in my empty cell
I am currently incarcerated and alone in this cell.
It's dark and drab and damp:
The cell has little to no light, color, or warmth; it's an uncomfortable place to be.
They throw me crusts to eat
The only food being provided to me is leftover scraps of bread.
Drink water from the well.
I have to consume water that has been drawn up from a natural source underground.
I was playing my part in this dreadful war
I was a soldier or fighter fighting for a cause that I believed in.
When someone ran me through:
Unfortunately, during that time, I was injured and stabbed through by an enemy.
They bound me up in chains,
I was then physically restrained with chains after I was injured.
And that's the last I knew.
After this point, I lost consciousness and do not recall anything else that happened to me.
The guards are watching day and night,
At all times, guards are closely monitoring me and my actions.
And they observe each move I make:
The guards are meticulously watching me and keeping a record of everything I do.
I wonder if they'll let me out alive
I'm unsure if the guards will ever allow me to return to the outside world and live.
I know there's no way to escape
I have unfortunately come to realize that it would not be possible for me to escape from my confinement.
I know the feeling of dejection:
I am all too familiar with the emotions of disappointment, sadness, and hopelessness.
To be imprisoned for no crime:
I have been imprisoned without committing any actual offense or crime.
So God please take me out of here
I am turning to my faith and higher power for any possible help in this situation.
You are my one hope at this time.
I am relying solely on my faith to be freed from my current predicament.
Why are those people shouting?
I am curious and confused about the commotion that I can hear outside of my cell.
Is the battle lost or won?
I am wondering if my side has been victorious or if things are not going well for us.
Now the footsteps of the guards
I can now hear the noise of the guards getting closer to my cell.
Will my chains be tightened or undone?
I'm unsure whether the guards will loosen or tighten my chains while they are here in my cell.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK BORNEMANN, GORDON BENNIT, MANFRED WIECZORKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind