Omega – Anthology 1968-1979 (Purple Pyramid Records, 2017)
This anthology is a great opportunity to discover the great Hungarian rock band Omega. Anthology 1968-1979 includes two discs. Disc 1 focuses on the 1960s. At that time, the band was still trying to find its way. Their songs were short and more pop oriented although there are glimpses of the good things to come in the future, in a few songs where you can hear psychedelic elements, blues rock, and mellotron sounds similar to the Moody Blues.
Disc 2 gets to the really good stuff. In the mid-1970s, Omega were deeply influenced by the space rock strain of progressive rock, especially bands like Pink Floyd and Germany’s Eloy. While the guitars and the heavily processed vocals are clearly on the space rock spectrum, the keyboards had a symphonic rock quality along with electronic music excursions.
Omega were very prolific in the 1970s and released albums in Hungarian as well as versions in English for the international market and even one album in German. If this compilation attracts your attention, you should look for the solidly progressive rock albums released by Omega. Begin with Time Robber and Skyrover.