Eloy - 1983 - Performance

Eloy

1983

Performance

01. In Disguise (4:29)
02. Shadow And Light (5:17)
03. Mirador (3:44)
04. Surrender (5:38)
05. Heartbeat (6:26)
06. Fools (5:10)
07. A Broken Frame (8:10)

Bonus tracks on 2005 remaster:
08. Shadow And Light (Live *) (5:08)
09. Heartbeat (Live *) (6:00)
10. Fools (Live *) (4:49)

* Recorded live in Paris, France, 1983.

Frank Bornemann / lead vocals, guitars, co-producer
Hannes Arkona / guitars, keyboards
Hannes Folberth / keyboards, grand piano
Klaus-Peter Matziol / basses
Fritz Randow / drums, percussion

Among the many bands that made the transition from the 70's to the 80's, Eloy was one of the best at adapting to the new decade. They perfected their space rock/heavy metal hybrid in the 70's with the trilogy of Inside, Floating, and Power and the Passion, and with Performance they perfect a new sound appropriate for the decade.

Performance, as well as the equally excellent follow up Metromania, are a bit hard to pin down as far as genre goes, but they're so wonderfully 80's in the best ways. It's basically a combination of multiple 80's sounds, from new wave to the new wave of heavy metal, it's made to fit Eloy's own mold. Opener In Disguise is a fantastic piece of 80's new wave-tinged hard rock, and is what should've actually been Top Gun's theme song. Shadow and Light has some great metal riffing, Mirador is an instrumental dominated by bass and synth interplay, Heartbeat and Fools are more fantastic 80's new wave rock, and A Broken Frame closes out the album in a majestic fashion.

The best part about this album is just how electrified and energetic the band sounds. Even a song like Surrender which is just drenched in 80's cheese, turns into a total bop with how much these guys are having fun. It translates to the listener so well, it feels like I'm watching these guys on stage at a big arena.

Is it 70's heavy space rock? No, but it has no reason to be. If you want that, there's the fantastic albums they did in the 70's for that. It still sounds like Eloy, just with a new sound that fits the decade much better.