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
The Apocalypse
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now we gotta find out
That summer's evening's gone
We lived a daydream
Embracing home
Now we gotta wake up
Do we really think the world to be a
Do we really think of senseless power
Odd forces will reveal - expose
The true essence of things
The reason of all
That has come to existence
No more silent cries will be able
To divide all our lonely inner nights
Fragrances of truth will call for us
Will we ever find out, what means: To be
Will we spread it out, the day we see
While we're exploring thousand mighty miles
In the lost, new-born
Only true kingdom
The Vision - Burning
The counterfeit master of the world
Will call for his empire
He's the demon of illusion, sorrow
Darkness, mourning, and appearance
Forests will explode and on red wings
Spirits will ascend into the sky
Cities will catch fire and they'll carbonize
Silent, hot and dry
These corroding flames, they will seize
Surround us too
You is the victim - the dormant peace
We will burn
The air will be afraid of our mortal frame
Ethereal we are, the air we breathe
The storm that's stirring up all fire
I see, our life and limb will still
Not come to harm at the moment
That's the reason why we still think
Of everything to be alright
But our hidden souls already dwell
In seas of flames, red hot solution
How will we stand the fire tomorrow
Force Majeure
(instrumental)
In "The Apocalypse," Eloy touches on themes of awakening and discovering the true nature of the world. The first verse explores the idea that individuals must shake off the illusions of their daydreams and realize the world is not a "creative oversight." Instead, there are forces working behind the scenes that are revealing the true essence of things. Eloy encourages listeners to embrace this truth and spread it so that no more "silent cries" will divide their lonely nights. The fragrances of truth will call out to them, and they will be exploring a new kingdom of the lost and the reborn.
In "The Vision - Burning," Eloy delves into darker themes of destruction and chaos. The counterfeit master of the world calls for his empire, leading to forests exploding, cities catching fire, and spirits ascending into the sky. Corroding flames will surround us all, and even the air will be afraid of our mortal frame. Eloy warns that our hidden souls already dwell in seas of flames, indicating that the apocalypse is imminent. The final line poses a powerful question: "How will we stand the fire tomorrow?"
Overall, "The Apocalypse" is a contemplative and introspective song that invites the listener to consider existential questions about the world and our place in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent Cries Divide the Nights
Our loneliness causes us to cry in silence during the night, further dividing and separating us.
Now we gotta find out That summer's evening's gone
We must come to terms with the fact that the fleeting beauty and warmth of summer evenings are gone and may not return.
We lived a daydream Embracing home
We cherished and basked in the illusion of a perfect, comforting home and lifestyle.
Now we gotta wake up Do we really think the world to be a Creative oversight
We must snap out of our dream-like state and question whether we only view the world superficially as lacking imagination and novelty.
Do we really think of senseless power
Do we believe that power is gained through irrational means?
Odd forces will reveal - expose The true essence of things The reason of all That has come to existence
Unusual and unexpected events will expose the underlying truth and essence of everything that exists.
No more silent cries will be able To divide all our lonely inner nights
Once we confront and overcome our loneliness, we will no longer suffer in silence and isolation.
Fragrances of truth will call for us Will we ever find out, what means: To be Will we spread it out, the day we see
The truth will beckon to us, but we must wonder if we will ever comprehend its meaning or if we will share it with others when we do.
While we're exploring thousand mighty miles In the lost, new-born Only true kingdom
As we venture through new territory, both physically and emotionally, we will discover our true sense of belonging and purpose.
The counterfeit master of the world Will call for his empire He's the demon of illusion, sorrow Darkness, mourning, and appearance
An impostor who embodies negative emotions and deception will seek to establish his dominion over the world.
Forests will explode and on red wings Spirits will ascend into the sky
Destruction and chaos will occur as souls leave the physical realm and transcend into the afterlife.
Cities will catch fire and they'll carbonize Silent, hot and dry
Metaphorical and literal destruction will occur, leaving behind only silence, heat, and ash.
These corroding flames, they will seize Surround us too You is the victim - the dormant peace We will burn
The same destruction will engulf us all, leading to a loss of peace and harmony.
The air will be afraid of our mortal frame Ethereal we are, the air we breathe The storm that's stirring up all fire
The elements of nature will cower from our physical presence, and the raging inferno will be fueled by our ethereal essence.
I see, our life and limb will still Not come to harm at the moment That's the reason why we still think Of everything to be alright
Despite the looming destruction, we believe we will be safe in the present moment and that everything will turn out okay.
But our hidden souls already dwell In seas of flames, red hot solution
In reality, our inner souls are already consumed by and lost in the fiery destruction around us.
How will we stand the fire tomorrow
How will we face the inevitable destruction and chaos of the future?
Contributed by Alyssa S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.