| Description |
192 - covers included
OMEGA - The Prophet (1985) NWOBHM (ex-APOCALYPSE)
Razor/Rock Machine Records MACH 1
[img]http://www.thecorroseum.com/hirescovers/OMEGA-front.gif[/img]
01. The Dark
02. Shadows of the Past
03. The Prophet
04. Yesterday's Children
05. Drive Me Crazy
06. Day Tripper
07. The Child
Recorded at Flame Studio, Manor House, London
Engineered by Phil de Costa
Mixed at Wave Studios, Hoxton Square, London
Engineered by Warn Livesey
Design concept by Steve Grainger
Illustration by Sara Voller
Artwork by Carol McCleeve
Nick Brent: vocals & guitar
Steve Grainger: lead guitar, keyboards & vocals
Graham Roberts: drums
Dave Robertson: bass guitar & vocals
A quick peek in the NWOBHM-encyclopedia tells us how how the band started out as APOCALYPSE, released a 7" in 1982 (which is probably 10 times as rare as this LP), later changed their name to OMEGA, featured a track on Ebony's "Metal Warriors" compilation LP in 83 and finally released this their only full-length effort in '85. "The Prophet" does indeed give the impression of a stable and mature band who'd taken their time to develop an original and atmospheric sound; a more prog-tinged, highbrow (British?) version of their broadsword-wielding, barbarian cousins overseas. All 3 tracks on the A-side move in the same slow, graceful tempo. I'd say 'doomy', but OMEGA's music is more solemn than dark & gloomy, even if the powerful "The Dark" has it's sneaky/creepy moments. Thankfully they never get all-out, bloody wimpy prog-rock and the sound of the powerchord is there in every song to save them from that evil cesspool of pretentiousness and self-abuse. All hail the powerchord! Side-B offers a much more varied array of metalia. The up-tempo "Yesterday's Children" is almost 'pure' MANOWARian Epic Power Metal and it's fucking brilliant, then suddenly out of the bl.. violet, comes a solid NWOBHM-rocker. "Drive Me Crazy" is as catchy and uplifting as it is unexpected. The BEATLES-cover "Day Tripper" is... a BEATLES-cover. Wow... That's fucked. "The Child" makes a return to the epic, atmospheric sound they're 'famous' for and it's just about the best song on the album. Another great ending to another great record.
Should not the original LP turn up on you Metal hunting trails, there's a vinyl and CD-reissue out on Akarma's offshoot-label Metal Legions. (No APOCALYPSE bonus stuff though, cheap cunts.) It's almost an essential, but at the risk of sounding critical for sake of being critical, OMEGA do tend to overemphasize feeling and structure over truly memorable riffs and harmonies. Even though it's an instantly likable album, it doesn't cling in your mind in the same merciless, fingers-to-the-bone manner as similars like Jersey-LEGEND or DARK QUARTERER. It still pisses all over every single Ebony record ever made though.
Review from www.thecorroseum.com
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