Omega - III (1974)

Nololob

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Omega, the most successful band in Hungary, one of the bands that were well selling albums outside the iron curtain. Formed in the 1962 (same year as The Rolling Stones) is one of the longest running (probably third longest) in rock history. Their single "Gyöngyhajú lány" was an international hit and covered by many bands including Scorpions.

When it comes to "English language" albums you shouldn't expect anything new, but remakes of their Hungarian material. III in fact is a compilation of songs from three albums: Élő Omega, Omega 5 and Omega 6 - Nem tudom neved.

Track listing:
1. Stormy Fire (Tűzvihar)
2. Spanish Guitar Legend (Spanyolgitár-legenda)
3. Go on the Spree (Egyszemélyes ország)
4. Remembering (Emlék - Csenddé vált szerelem)
5. Everytime She Steps In (Régvárt kedvesem)
6. Live as Long as (Addig élj!)
7. Just a Bloom (Eltakart világ - Egy perc nyugalom)
8. I Go away (Én elmegyek)
9. Fancy Jeep (Omegautó)

I must give a note here - Élő Omega was released as an alternate for 200 évvel az utolsó háború után (200 Years After The Last War), because 200~ was banned by the government. Elo Omega was recorded on a very low quality equipment from a concert, very disliked by the band.

As I said their English albums are remakes. But those remakes from Elo Omega are well done. Much, much better than Hungarian versions. Some excellent riffs, such as Everytime She Steps In and Fancy Jeep, fine keyboard on Stormy Fire and amazing bass breakdown on Just A Bloom. It is very heavy album, but only inside the Eastern European area, it is still far, far behind ELP or Deep Purple. But you will clearly hear the influence from UK hard prog rock bands.

III is one of my favourite albums by Omega and will remain as a high priority recommendation to everyone, who wants to start with this incredible band. I'm gonna rate 7.5 out of 10 though, comparing to 200 Years After The Last War (eng) it is still for me their quest for the right direction.

Here are my 2 favourite tracks: Stormy Fire and Just A Bloom.




 
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ElPatanico

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Great album. I just got this LP in a collection I bought. It grew on me quickly. The recording itself sounds incredible! Quadrophonic LP on Bellaphon Records!
 

ElPatanico

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I would love to get that album on vinyl, so jealous... :grinthumb

To think... A week before I posted that reply, I was going to sell it!!!

I got some other cool stuff in that haul... stuff like Greenslade, Clearlight Symphony, Ramases... Unfortunately, none of those records really did too much for me. :pullhair:
 

Nololob

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Oh my... any Omega album I will definitely buy! I have only one album, but the more I get, the more I am pleased. :woot:
I also have Greenslade's self titled LP. Listened to it only once, probably about a year ago.
 

ElPatanico

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Sorry, but I'm going to hang on to the Omega record. I work in a record store, so maybe it will turn up again one day?? Pretty rare, though!
 

Chevelle

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I have nine Omega LPs that I picked up in the seventies but I haven't played them in awhile so I don't have an order of preference right now.
I read on Wiki that there is a very rare vinyl LP called Omega Red Star released in 1968.
Does anyone know anything about this LP?
 

Nololob

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Sorry, but I'm going to hang on to the Omega record. I work in a record store, so maybe it will turn up again one day?? Pretty rare, though!

It's not priced over here, so can't tell if rare or not. :hm:

I have nine Omega LPs that I picked up in the seventies but I haven't played them in awhile so I don't have an order of preference right now.
I read on Wiki that there is a very rare vinyl LP called Omega Red Star released in 1968.
Does anyone know anything about this LP?

Yes, it was released under the wrong band name, it is the first English album with original 6-piece line-up, it's worth £150 over here.
 

ElPatanico

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I have nine Omega LPs that I picked up in the seventies but I haven't played them in awhile so I don't have an order of preference right now.
I read on Wiki that there is a very rare vinyl LP called Omega Red Star released in 1968.
Does anyone know anything about this LP?

The only thing I know about this release is that the band was not happy with the recording.
 

Chevelle

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Unfortunately, that is one I don't have. These are the ones I do have.

10000 Lepes - 1969 - Qualiton label
Elo - 1972 - Pepita label
Omega - 1973 - Bellaphon label
200 Years After The Last War - 1974 - Bellaphon (quad)
Omega III - 1974 - Bellaphon (quad)
Omega - 1975 - Passport label
The Hall Of Floaters In The Sky - 1975 - Bellaphon label
Time Robber - 1976 - Bellaphon label
On Tour - ? - Bellaphon label

Omega (1973) and Omega (1975) each have three of the same songs.
I couldn't find a date for On Tour but it has songs from Time Robber and Floaters so it was probably 1977 or 78.
10000 Lepes includes a poster with close-up pictures of the six band members.

So much for details, but what counts is the music. I will do some listening this weekend and see if anything stands up to Omega III.
 

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