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 Last In Line
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shadows on the wall
In a world of desolation
No one cares about
The future nor the past
A superficialist generation
We're surpassing the gates of hell
Still emotions as cold as ice
Heeding no advice
Living for the day
No conception
Riding high on our self-deception
Riot all around
Siren's wailing sound
Raging chaos in all directions
While we dance in the danger zone
False impressions to ease the soul
In a tempest of space and time
Try to keep control
(We are, we are)
The children of tomorrow
(We are, we are)
The future generation
(We are, we are)
Victims lost in fate
(We are, we are)
(We are, we are)
The last in line
We are reckless
Running headless
Holding on to the wings of madness
No perception
No direction
No belief in resurrection
Still aware of the present state
We resign to our certain fate
Standing now as the last in line
Can't turn back time
(We are, we are)
The children of tomorrow
(We are, we are)
The future generation
(We are, we are)
Victims lost in fate
(We are, we are)
We are, we are
Useless and abandoned
(We are, we are)
The children of tomorrow
(We are, we are)
The future generation
(We are, we are)
(We are, we are)
The children of tomorrow
(We are, we are)
Useless and abandoned
(We are, we are)
Victims lost in fate
(We are, we are)
(We are, we are)
The future generation
(We are, we are)
The lyrics of Eloy's song "The Last In Line" convey a profound message about the state of humanity, particularly the younger generation. The song describes a world of decay and desolation, where people are only concerned with the present without any regard for the future or the past. The lyrics also convey a sense of confusion and chaos, symbolized by the rioting and sirens.
Despite this chaotic world, the younger generation believes themselves to be the "children of tomorrow," the future generation. However, they are also depicted as potentially useless and abandoned victims lost in fate. The song seems to suggest a warning tone to the youth, cautioning them against the superficiality and recklessness that can lead to their downfall.
Overall, "The Last In Line" is a powerful commentary on the human condition, asking listeners to reflect on the consequences of their actions and the direction of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Visions in decay
The world is decaying and crumbling apart, and we can see this through our own eyes.
Shadows on the wall
The darkness has crept in and is looming over everything, even casting shadows on what once was bright and hopeful.
In a world of desolation
We are living in a world that is empty, lifeless, and without hope or promise.
No one cares about
The world has become so self-absorbed that nobody is looking beyond their own narrow interests.
The future nor the past
Nobody is interested in what has happened before, and they have no regard for what might happen in the future.
A superficialist generation
We are all focused on the shallow, the trivial, the unimportant things that distract and deceive us from what truly matters.
On a journey of no return
We're on a one-way trip to our fate with no way to change course or avoid what we are headed towards.
We're surpassing the gates of hell
We are heading towards a fate that is bleak and painful, and we cannot escape it.
Still emotions as cold as ice
Despite the looming threat, we are unmoved and unfeeling, maintaining our cold and indifferent demeanor.
Heeding no advice
Even when others try to warn us of our impending doom or guide us towards a better path, we refuse to listen or follow their counsel.
Living for the day
We are only concerned with our immediate happiness and pleasure, without regard for the consequences of our actions.
No conception
We cannot see beyond our own narrow worldview or our immediate desires.
Riding high on our self-deception
We are blinded by our own lies and illusions, and we are soaring towards our own destruction with ignorant bliss.
Riot all around
There is chaos and disorder everywhere, and nobody is safe from its grasp.
Siren's wailing sound
We are being warned of the coming storm and the danger that is approaching, but we ignore it and continue on our way.
Raging chaos in all directions
The world is spinning out of control and there is nothing we can do to stop it from falling apart.
While we dance in the danger zone
We are completely oblivious to the danger that surrounds us and we continue to revel in our ignorance.
False impressions to ease the soul
We cling to illusions and delusions in order to soothe ourselves and avoid the harsh reality of the world.
In a tempest of space and time
We are caught in the midst of a chaotic storm that rages across the universe and through the ages.
Try to keep control
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, we try to maintain a semblance of order and control over our own lives.
The children of tomorrow
We are the ones who will inherit the world after those who came before us, but we are ill-prepared for the task.
Victims lost in fate
We are powerless to change our fate, and we are the unfortunate victims of circumstance.
We are reckless
We are impulsive and careless, acting without thinking of the consequences of our actions.
Running headless
We are charging forward with reckless abandon, without any thought or consideration for what might lay ahead.
Holding on to the wings of madness
We are clinging to insanity and irrationality, even as it leads us further and further towards our own doom.
No perception
We cannot see the world as it truly is and are blind to what is really going on around us.
No direction
We have no sense of purpose or mission, and we wander aimlessly through life with no goal or aim in sight.
No belief in resurrection
We do not have any hope or faith that things can get better or that there is anything beyond this life.
Still aware of the present state
Despite our ignorance, we know that things are not right and we see the world crumbling around us.
We resign to our certain fate
We have given up trying to change our fate and have accepted the future that lies ahead of us.
Can't turn back time
We cannot undo what has been done, and we cannot change the past or our previous choices.
Useless and abandoned
We are alone and without support, and we feel like nobody cares or can help us.
Contributed by Brayden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.