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
Paralized Civilization
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a piercing gold inside
obscures the astral light
expanding alienation
a fatal transformation
Minds caught in space and time
await the final sign
deceptive visions shine
Dawning - feel the heartbeat of creation
Dawning - signals of predestination
Warning - civilization in decay
the children of the future led astray
Expelled from paradise
a wasted sacrifice
tears turning into ice
perverted evolution
senseless revolution
scared by uncertainty
blind to reality
lost in infinity
eerie moonlight shadows in the night
Ancient trails in the sand
gone with the winds of eternity
no beginning, no end
all cycles end in infinity
let your intuition's fire burn
trust your guide inside
surpass the stairway of no return
towards the dawn of light
Lone age of vanity
mindless insanity
hail to technology
a spectral fascination
aimless navigation
no motion in the air
a silent scream somewhere
oscillations of dispair
Warning - stirring fears of termination
Warning - paralysed civilization
Dawning - step into a new millennium
the neverending challenge of mankind
It's the time - Beware the final sign, awake your senses
It's the time - Approach the turn of time, don't fear the changes
It's the time - Ride on the wings of light, escape the darkness
It's the time - Heed to your voice inside, defeat the madness
The lyrics of Eloy's song "Paralized Civilization" depict a civilization that is disintegrating due to a fatal transformation that has led to the perverted evolution and senseless revolution of its people. The song speaks of "Salvation out of sight", which means that despite everything that is happening, there is no help in sight. The line "a fading age is left behind" signifies that the civilization is slowly disappearing, and no one knows what is going to happen next.
The song goes on to speak about "senseless revolution" and "aimless navigation" which are destroying the society. The catastrophic effects of technological advancement have created a "mindless insanity" in the people, which is becoming a "spectral fascination". The song warns about the dangers of this technological progress and urges people to be cautious of the "final signs". The song ends on a hopeful note, asking people to trust their intuition's fire and heed to their voice inside to escape the darkness and defeat the madness.
Line by Line Meaning
Salvation out of sight
The possibility of salvation is not within reach.
a piercing gold inside
A strong desire for wealth and riches exists within.
obscures the astral light
The desire for material possessions is blocking spiritual enlightenment.
expanding alienation
The feeling of isolation and detachment is growing.
a fatal transformation
This change is deadly and detrimental.
Minds caught in space and time
Thoughts are trapped in present circumstances and limitations.
await the final sign
Waiting for the signal that the end is near.
deceptive visions shine
False ideas and illusions are giving hope.
a fading age is left behind
A bygone era is slipping away.
Dawning - feel the heartbeat of creation
A new day is beginning, allowing for a connection with the universe.
Dawning - signals of predestination
The start of a new era is predestined and certain.
Warning - civilization in decay
The state of society is deteriorating.
the children of the future led astray
Future generations are being misled and misinformed.
Expelled from paradise
Removed from a state of peace and tranquility.
a wasted sacrifice
A pointless offering with no reward.
tears turning into ice
Emotions are being frozen and ignored.
perverted evolution
A distorted and unnatural progression.
senseless revolution
A rebellion with no meaningful purpose.
scared by uncertainty
Fearful of what is unknown and unpredictable.
blind to reality
Unaware of what is really happening.
lost in infinity
Trapped in a never-ending cycle.
eerie moonlight shadows in the night
Mysterious and eerie shadows are cast by the moon.
Ancient trails in the sand
Traces of history and tradition remain in the sand.
gone with the winds of eternity
All that remains of the past is swept away by time.
no beginning, no end
Time is infinite and never-ending.
all cycles end in infinity
All repetitive patterns eventually lead to the infinite.
let your intuition's fire burn
Trust your instincts and instincts strongly.
trust your guide inside
Have faith in your inner voice and guidance.
surpass the stairway of no return
Rise above the obstacles in life that inhibit one's progress.
towards the dawn of light
Striving for enlightenment and spiritual awareness.
Lone age of vanity
A time where self-absorption and egoism rule.
mindless insanity
Without reason or logic, a state of madness reigns.
hail to technology
Praising and worshipping the advancements in technology.
a spectral fascination
An enchantment with something that is not real or physical.
aimless navigation
Drifting with no direction or purpose.
no motion in the air
No activity or movement can be detected.
a silent scream somewhere
A cry for help that goes unheard and unknown.
oscillations of despair
Wavering between hopelessness and distress.
Warning - stirring fears of termination
Causing worry and apprehension about the end.
Warning - paralysed civilization
A society that is unable to move or progress due to fear and uncertainty.
Dawning - step into a new millennium
A new era is beginning, a time for new opportunities.
the neverending challenge of mankind
The continuous struggle and obstacles that humans face.
It's the time - Beware the final sign, awake your senses
The time is now to be alert and vigilant, as the end approaches.
It's the time - Approach the turn of time, don't fear the changes
Embracing the upcoming changes as a new beginning.
It's the time - Ride on the wings of light, escape the darkness
Moving towards enlightenment and spiritual awareness, leaving behind darkness.
It's the time - Heed to your voice inside, defeat the madness
Listening to one's intuition and overcoming irrationality and insanity.
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MrThoss1
That riff at 2:45 is so fucking amazing !!
Jhones Willian
Listen to The Mirror, from Spooky Tooth
Dennis Benzle
a very well constructed album add a little genius a touch of Floyd sensibility lovely work
Daniel Cegalla
Porra, esses caras são sensacionais!
Edgar Marchetti
Wonderful song!
Vosoogh Zardoshtian
Edgar Marchetti . yes its a very good album.
Ryan Travis
my favorite of this album, wish it were on Spotify & Google Play.
Ryan Travis
For sure
Procerus
@Ryan Travis but holy cow this stuff is underrated
Ryan Travis
Yeah I saw that thank you