When Frank Bornemann -the founder and longtime guiding force behind Germany's premier art rock group Eloy announced plans for an audacious two-part album centered around the life of Joan of Arc ( -Jeanne D'Arc ) I'm sure many in the rock industry scratched their heads in wonderment.  A rock act chronicling the life and travails of a religious historical figure?  It just didn't seem like the sort of thing a rock band would do.            But then again, Eloy is NOT  your typical rock band! 

Okay, with the ( -above ) paragraph heading I guess I've given it away. Yeah, I think "Part II" is better than Part I. And that really surprises me! Usually, in these "double-album" affairs bands tend to put their top-drawer stuff up-front on the first disc ( -with the lesser  material and "filler" on the "B-Side" if you will ). But that's probably not the way to think of this "master work". Part I served as the necessary "preamble" or set-up for what was to come in "Part II" -the work's climax. That said, in terms of the music -I think "Part II" is heads and shoulders above "Part I". Okay, I'll just say it: "Part II" really rocks! 

Frank's Publicity Video for:  "The Vision, the Sword & the Pyre Part II"  Check it out for more                  background on the album and to read some of the rave reviews this album has received. 

Before going any further, I want to thank my friend Mike Belcher ( -undoubtedly, one of the United State's biggest Eloy fans! ) for providing me with a copy of the album to review.  I had a great time listening to it        and was genuinely surprised  at how much I ended up liking it.

As expressed above, I'd initially thought that "Part II" would be a bit of a let down ( -for the reasons mentioned previously ). However, I ended up being pleasantly surprised. "Part II" rocks!  It's both musically and lyrically engaging.  It really got me to thinking about the life and times of Joan of Arc and the mark she left on history. 

So, from that perspective -Frank should consider two-part of his masterpiece to be a rousing success. I doubt that many rock n' rollers would spend much time pondering such lofty subject matter on their own! Frank's careful balance of historically accurate storytelling and "period ambiance" ( -coupled with Eloy's superb instrumentation ), has made the subject both accessible and compelling -even to rock fans.  A true feat! 

Musically, the band has brought it to a whole new level in this outing. In particular Klaus-Peter Matziol on bass, Hannes Folberth and Michael Gerlach -on keyboards and synths.  Also deserving special mention is Stephan Emig -on drums and percussion.

This is not to say that Frank's contributions on guitar are not noteworthy -they are -but are somewhat subdued this time round ( -perhaps due to his concentration upon the vocals and keeping the entire project on track! ). Klaus-Peter's muscular bass playing is among his best and Hannes and Michael's keyboard and synth work breaks new ground. Stephan's thunderous drums and exciting runs really add a new dynamism to the songs. Overall, it sounds as if the band was in absolute "top form" for this disc!  

Here then, are my "track-by-track" impressions of each cut on the album. You'll find my closing thoughts on  the album below the songs. Beyond initial impressions, this disc leaves you with considerable "take away" causing you to ponder the significance of what one person can accomplish ( -even in a relatively short life        time such as that lived by Joan of Arc  ). Few "rock albums" will give you more to ponder than this one!  

Tinkling chimes and doomy piano chords ( -with a fleeting synth filter twitter ) opens as a solo female vocalist

( -obviously representing Jeanne D' Arc ) sets the stage -as a celestial choir segueways into a syncopated synth sequence, a thudding bass line and drum run filled dirge reminiscent of many past Eloy tunes. Frank's trademark vocals pick up the story line. A unique, sliding synth ascends and descends scales to a persistent beat. Frank's confident lyrics add to this track's appeal:  i.e:     

-LYRICS  FROM  THE  SONG.

The song fades out restating it's main key-changed riff.  A very appealing "open" to the album! 

Descending guitar pickings and a periodic echoey percussive "nock" keeps time as a yearning synth line haunts the background -while Frank elucidates. Nice. A pretty and contemplative tune. 

A rousing "rocker" with a killer synth, cadenced arpeggiated bass line and other synth frills -as Frank "speak -sings" the track's lyrics and continuing story line. There's a passing Pink Floydish "Run like Hell" vibe to this track.  After a brief quiet interlude -the cadenced bass line returns as Frank winds up the track's vocals      before a headstrong synth lead presages the track's closing fade. 

Starts with a rousing drum interlude that settles into a nice mid-tempo beat with a good synth line throughout. The song celebrates Joan's victorious battle. 

Opens with a cathedral organ intro and the same solo female vocalist as on the first song. The song's medieval feel is accentuated by a choir and lilting flute. Nice.  Pastoral sounding.

A close-miked Frank recites story lines about Jeanne D'Arc. A nice guitar figure recurs in background punctuated with plaintive recorder and an occasional low humming synth. "A day for rejoicing" is one of the song's line's and pretty much captures the spirit of the song.

A bassy "Peter Gunn" like bass riff intro. Very nice slinking bass line Klaus-Peter! Tasty synth noodlings throughout with a nice "quiet" instrumental interlude near the end.

Boisterous "rocker" -again with a great bass line. About how the battle rages on. Frank adds the "play-by-play" details of the battle. A nice synth and drum break. The drums in this track are really nice! Track slows as Frank adds details about Jeanne D' Arc's battle exploits. Ends with Frank's reverbed words and an echoing guitar. 

Dark piano opening with Frank's "sung/ spoke" lyrics: "Your companions no longer at your side", about Jeanne's feeling of abandonment ( "You search in vein for sincerity" ). The track's initial somber tone

is relieved as a nice upbeat instrumental figure emerges into a confident joyous dirge before an

abrupt echoey, finger-picked guitar and strummed ending. 

-LYRICS  FROM  "ABANDONMENT"

A measured bouncy bass and drum opening with sinewy synth glazing and Frank's measured, stuccatoed vocals. Mid-tempo beat with synth noodlings throughout. Very nice indeed!  Regroups near the end to          re-state song's main structure. 

Longing, strained opening ( -low synth ) and metallic sounding plucked instrument ( -can't identify what it is ) with chuffy cello strings to Frank's lyrics about Jeanne's imprisonment ( -despite her remaining bright and strong inside ). Very nice synth twitterings near end then back to moody intro-like ending. Moody. Nice!

Celestial choirs and cathedral organ opening sets up militaristic beat as vocals tell of Jeanne's grueling trial. Frank's vocals advance the story line as music keeps the unrelenting beat ( -with increasing urgency ).  Church bells and military snares end the track.  

Medieval-sounding pluckings ( - from a period instrument ) as astral wind noises set up a repeating guitar figure. Gliding synth noodlings and female narration tells of Jeanne's ascent into Heaven. Here are some of the song's lyrics: 

One thing's for sure. You can tell Frank has invested his entire "heart and soul" into this project. There are some truly beautiful "spare" spaces in a few of these songs -where the atmospherics are allowed to linger        ( -giving the listener time to savor and ponder the import of Frank's lyrics ). A true sign of musical maturity.                                                                                                                                                                        I remember Roger Waters of Pink Floyd saying he'd purposely "left spaces" in some of "Dark Side of the Moon's" songs -as if to let the listener "breathe". It appears Frank has employed this same technique to      very  good effect on Part II. 

In a word:  YES!  Even if you're not  into the historic, biographic or religious aspects of the subject matter          ( i.e:  Joan of  Arc's life ), "Part II" provides you with some stellar musicianship ( -including some of Klaus-Peter Matziol's best bass work to date, some truly exciting and dynamic drum work by Stefan Emig and the innovative keyboard and synth work of Hannes Folberth and Michael Gerlach ( -employing some synth techniques I've  not heard them employ on past Eloy albums ). 

So, bottom-line: "Part II" is well worth your money. Get it!   -Tomm Buzzetta ( CTN ). 

                                                              -END  OF  REVIEW-