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
On The Verge Of Darkening Lights
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While hissing winds create the oddest sounds
Linked to the power and speed of a beam
Ion is cast to this strange and fake scene
Forced into isolation, struggling for light
Ion rises to slowly take up the fight
Man's on the verge of darkening lights
The memory of golden ages
Heavenly powers slowly fades
Books of wisdom, highly honoured
Knowledges have long been smothered
The lyrics of Eloy's song On The Verge Of Darkening Lights depict the struggle of ion, the basic unit of matter, in a world where it is constantly threatened by the darkness. Warming rays symbolize hope and positivity but are overshadowed by threatening clouds, indicating the impending doom. The hissing winds create the oddest sounds, which signify the chaos and confusion that surrounds ion. The mentioning of the power and speed of a beam relates to the science behind the atomic structure and how ions are formed.
The isolation of ion is highlighted in the lyrics as it struggles to find its place in a world of darkness. Despite rising to the fight, the looming darkness threatens to consume everything. Man's desire to progress technologically at the cost of nature's harmony has resulted in this destruction. The memory of golden ages refers to the time when man and nature coexisted harmoniously, but now that memory seems to be fading away slowly. The books of wisdom were once highly honored, but the knowledge contained in them has been smothered amidst the chaos.
Overall, the song conveys the message that the advancements in science and technology should not come at the cost of nature, and we need to find a way to balance the two.
Line by Line Meaning
Warming rays are shadowed by threatening clouds
The bright and comforting sun is being blocked by ominous clouds
While hissing winds create the oddest sounds
The wind is making eerie, unsettling noises
Linked to the power and speed of a beam
Something is connected to the energy and velocity of light
Ion is cast to this strange and fake scene
Positive energy is being thrown into this abnormal and artificial situation
Forced into isolation, struggling for light
Trapped and alone, fighting for illumination
Ion rises to slowly take up the fight
Positive energy intensifies to battle against the darkness
Man's on the verge of darkening lights
Humanity is close to losing enlightenment and positivity
Condemned to destruction's everlasting nights
Doomed to continue living in perpetual darkness and despair
The memory of golden ages
Recollection of a time of great prosperity and happiness
Heavenly powers slowly fades
Divine strength is gradually disappearing
Books of wisdom, highly honoured
Sage literature of tremendous esteem and reverence
Knowledges have long been smothered
Insight and understanding have been suppressed and stifled
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
pracm
Space Prog at its best. Remains my favourite Eloy album. Perfect Masterpiece with no fillers.
mohamad basma
I can't categorize Eloy. They are unique
Vестник Ва́лар
Favorite album of the group. Mature and unique style. Mystical space keyboards. Deep bass, as if building space around itself with drums.
Very jewelry guitar playing. Well, the lyrics, of course ..
And everything is brought together perfectly, exactly in moderation. This is extremely rare in rock.
For one "intro" to this composition, you can erect a monument to the group, honestly🙏🏻
John Mackenzie
Still got the orig. on vinyl , love it ✌️
Edson RODRIGUES RAPHAEL
Exelente album.
Dennis Benzle
heard every track and album up till this what can I say its been a wondrous journey.
ogrebattle22763
Exzellente Songs, exzellente Band ... Eloy waren schon immer eine sehr unterbewertete Band.
Mr. Borrany
Best Space/prog music ever👍👍👍
fmtf niuprog
This intro of Synths, 1981... far ahead in time...!
Hannes Folberth masterwork!
Pendragonn4691
Back in 1984, I heard this album pfor the first time, at the extinct Rádio FLUMINENSE FM, in Rio de Janeiro. I run to buy it, and kept it for years. At the 90s, I gave it away... A BIG mistake...Never get it on CD... Many thanks for posting this genuine gem of german progressive rock !