Omega: 4 Albums + 2 Compilations

 

Those whose familiarity with this group is based on SCORPIONS’ idealistic interpretation and Kanye West’s scandalous sampling of their 1968 classic “Gyöngyhajú lány” can hardly imagine

OMEGA’s status on an Eastern European music scene. In the Cold War era when rock was largely prohibited in The Warsaw Pact countries, the Budapest band used to shine like a beacon, and now the time has finally come for the wider world to bask in their light. Omega was formed in Budapest in 1962 by Benkő and Kóbor, with trombonist Győző Bánkúti, drummer Tamás Künsztler, saxophonist Péter Láng, guitarist Ferenc Tornóczky, and bassist István Varsányi. The members had all been in previous bands at the same grammar school.
                              

Omega were a Hungarian rock band formed in 1962, which has been described as the most successful Hungarian band in history. They have been characterrized as "the giants of Hungarian

Prog - Hard Rock". They released more than 20 albums both in Hungarian and English, and one in German. After several early personnel changes, their classic lineup came together in 1971 and was intact for more than forty years. Singer János Kóbor was with the band continuously from 1962 until his death in 2021; keyboardist/singer László Benkő was present from 1962 until his death in 2020. Guitarist György Molnár and bassist Tamás Mihály joined in 1967, and drummer Ferenc Debreczeni joined in 1971. The band won several prestigious awards for their contributions to Hungarian culture.
                                      

The band sealed their success with two subsequent LPs, "10,000 Lépés" (10,000 Steps) (1969) and "Éjszakai Országút" (On the Highway at Night) (1970). Their 1969 song "Gyöngyhajú lány" (The

Girl with Pearls in Her Hair) became their first international hit and was later reworked by the Scorpions into "White Dove" in the mid-'90s. In 1971, keyboardist Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux left the band to form another group, Locomotiv GT. Presser was a deeply felt loss since he authored most of Omega's compositions at the time. Lyricist Anna Adamis followed her husband Laux to his new band. 
                            

The breakup was later reflected in Omega's 1971 song "Hütlen Barátok" (Unfaithful Friends). When László Benkö, who was the band's original keyboardist (and learned to play trumpet and flute), resumed

his original position and Ferenc Debreceni became the new drummer, Omega reached its definitive lineup: János Kóbor (vocals), Tamás Mihály (bass, vocals), Ferenc Debreceni (drums), György Molnár (guitars), and László Benkö (keyboards, vocals). While with Presser, the band's sound tended to be somewhat psychedelic and fuzzy, but Benkö's classically influenced keyboards and Molnár's guitar assumed a much greater focus under Benkö's leadership. 
                                

The group remained active in the 21st century, touring and recording occasionally, both in their traditional format and with an orchestra under the billing "Omega Rapsody." Keyboard player and co-founder László Benkő died on November 19, 2020 at the age of 77. Bassist Tamás Mihály passed away just a

few days later on November 21, 2021 at the age of 73. Lead singer János Kóbor died due to complications from the COVID-19 virus on December 6, 2021; he was 78.  The band's manager has indicated that the remaining members will not perform under the Omega name in the future but tribute concerts in different formations may occur. As a finale to the band's 60-year history and in memory of the deceased band members, the remaining musicians joined with friends and performed as "Omega Testamentum Orchestra" at a three-day festival in Őriszentpéter from 12 to 14 August 2022.
                                      

ALBUMS ON THIS POST
                      

01. 10000 LEPES 1969
02. EJSZAKAI ORSZAGUT 1970
03. ELO OMEGA (LIVE) 1972
04. OMEGA 5 1973
05. GREATEST PERFORMANCES 2012
06. ANTHOLOGY 1968 - 1979 2017

01. 10000 LEPES 1969

                             

Omega was a rock band that had its peak in their home of in the '60 through the mid '70s in communist-era

Hungry. This album is from 1969 a time when the government eased up on culture, even rock bands. Although they had some success in Hungary and other bands in Eastern Europe, they never made it "big" in The West. By 1975 the government changed its mind, and tightened their grip on Rock 'n' roll music, including this band, and this was likely the greatest reason why they call it quits in '75. At least until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1989. I highly recommend streaming this album.
                              

Omega – 1969 - 10000 Lépés
Label: Hungaroton – HCD 17400
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered 2003
Country: Hungary
Released: 1969
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Prog Rock

TRACKS

                                     

01. Petróleumlámpa   3:14
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
02. Gyöngyhajú Lány   5:49
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
03. Tűzvihar   3:09
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Molnár György
04. Udvari Bolond Kenyere   3:32
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
05. Kérgeskezű Favágok   8:15
Lyrics By – Presser Gábor
Music By – Laux József
06. Tékozló Fiúk   4:34
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor    
07. Tízezer Lépés   6:13
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
08. 1958-as Boogie-Woogie Klubban   2:14
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
09. Spanyolgitár Legenda   3:24
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Mihály Tamás
10. Félbeszakadt Koncert   4:00
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Kóbor János

Bónusz

    
11. Halott Virágok   1:56
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
12. Nem Tilthatom Meg   4:15
Lyrics By – S. Nagy István
Music By – Presser Gábor
13. Volt Egy Bohóc   4:09
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
14. Régi Csibészek   2:35
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor
15. Naplemente   4:05
Lyrics By – Adamis Anna
Music By – Presser Gábor

Total time: 61:37
    

LINE - UP

János Kóbor: lead vocals
Gábor Presser: keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocal (B2, B3)
Laszlo Benkő: keyboards, trumpet, backing vocals
Tamas Mihály: bass, backing vocal, lead vocal (B4)
György Molnár: guitar
József Laux: drums, percussion

Flac Size: 364 MB

02. EJSZAKAI ORSZAGUT 1970

                                      

Éjszakai országút (literal translation: Night highway) is the third studio album by the Hungarian rock band Omega, released in 1970. It was the last band album with keyboardist/vocalist Gábor Presser and drummer József Laux, who departed and formed Locomotiv GT. Arguably one of the best albums of the group

Omega. And it's the farewell LP of keyboardist, singer-songwriter Presser Gabor, the soul of the line-up (also drummer Laux Joseph), who would go on to found the epoch-making group LGT. It will be the creative end of Omega and the beginning of the career of the most successful Hungarian group Locomotiv GT. This album can be compared to the best projects of the world rock scene. An indispensable item in the audio collection of every audiophile of that time!
                                    

Omega – 1970 - Éjszakai Országút
Label: Hungaroton – HCD 17414
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered   2003
Country: Hungary
Released: 1970
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                             

01. Oh, Jöjj   4:00
02. Ahol A Boldogságot Osztották   4:17
03. Maradj Velem   4:24
04. Oh, Barbarella   3:10
05. H., Az Elektromos Fűrész   4:21
Composed By – Molnár György
06. Az Éjszakai Országúton   3:48
07. Utcán, A Téren   2:53
08. Van Egy Szó   3:23
09. Utazás A Szürke Folyón   5:43
10. Olyan Szépen Mosolygott   3:00
11. Egy Kis Pihenő    1:11
12. Vészkijárat   5:13
13. Ballada A Fegyverkovács Fiáról   4:27
14. Sötét A Város   4:37
15. Ülök A Hoban   5:00

LINE - UP

János Kóbor – lead vocals
Gábor Presser – organ, piano, vibraphone, backing vocals, lead vocal (A2, A4)
Laszlo Benkő – flute, trumpet, piano, backing vocal
Tamas Mihály – bass guitar, cello, backing vocals
György Molnár – guitar
József Laux – drums, percussion

Flac Size: 383 MB

03. ELO OMEGA (LIVE) 1972

   

 

I have listened this album in 1980's, it is live album, on Hungarian, and some of the songs have find their place on omega III. Hard rock, with few beautiful, really beautiful ballads. Music had sense in that time.

Given the odd origin of this live album - issued independently by the band themselves instead of the intended but allegedly censored studio album "200 évvel az utolsó háború után" - it is a very good one.  OMEGA sounds very powerful and strong on stage. It's still mainly a trendy hard rock sound with several nice ballads, and again one redundant blues improvisation... But, just listen to "Egy nehéz év után","Hútlen barátok" or "Varázslatos, fehér kõ" and you'll experience excellent performing with fiery prog rock energy!

                         

           

           

Omega – 1972 - Élő Omega
Label: Enigmatic Records – ENICD 09
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release 2012
Country: Austria
Released: 1972    
Genre: Rock
Style: Folk Rock, Prog Rock

TRACKS

                                 

                              

01. Hűtlen Barátok   5:48
Written-By – Kóbor, Mihály
02. Blues   3:38
Written-By – Molnár
03. Egy Nehéz Év Után   5:52
Written-By – Kóbor, Sülyi, Mihály
04. Törékeny Lendület   4:14
Written-By – Molnár, Kóbor, Sülyi
05. Omegauto   4:32
Written-By – Molnár, Kóbor, Sülyi
06. Régvárt Kedvesem   5:21
Written-By – Kóbor, Mihály
07. Emlék (Csenddé Vált Szerelem)   3:37
Written-By – Kóbor, Sülyi, Mihály
08. Eltakart Világ (Egy Perc Nyugalom)   5:20
Written-By – Kóbor, Sülyi, Mihály    
09. Varázslatos, Fehér Kő   9:06
Written-By – Debreceni, Molnár, Kóbor, Benkő, Sülyi, Mihály
    

BONUS TRACKS            

10. Szex-Apo    3:08
11. 200 Évvel Az Utolsó Háború Után    5:29
12. Szomoru Történet    6:15
13. Hütlen Barátok    5:10
14. Régvárt Kedvesem    5:07
15. 200 Évvel Az Utolsó Háború Után    5:16

NOTES

tracks 10 + 11 are studio outtakes 1972
tracks 12 - 15 are hungarian singles 1971

Flac Size: 554 MB

04. OMEGA 5 1973

                                     

                            

Hard rock with progressive elements, this is the Hungarian equivalent to Uriah Heep. This is also their most consistent album and with this kind of music it may not be too important that nobody understands the lyrics (unless you speak Hungarian). One of Omega’s heaviest but also strongest albums. Good music and lyrics material. Containing versions of work which was subsequently released in the English language, eastern European engineering technology was still not up to par with western standards in 1973 when this album was released. 

                                                            

Omega – 1973 - Omega 5
Label: Hungaroton – HCD 37628, Mega – (92/M-049)
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Repress
Country: Hungary
Released: 1973
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock

TRACKS

                                       
01. A Hazug Lány    3:06
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály T.    
02. A Madár   3:37
Music By – Molnár Gy., Kóbor J.
03. Én Elmegyek    4:22
Music By – Molnár Gy., Kóbor J.
04. A Jövendőmondó    3:27
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály T.
05. Járt Itt Egy Boldog Ember   3:41
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály T.
06. Búcsúztató   4:59
Music By – Molnár Gy., Kóbor J.
    

SZVIT        

    
07. Ébredés   5:39
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
08. A Malomban   3:49
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
09. Hazafelé   5:29
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
10. A Hetedik Napon   2:10
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
11. Délutáni Szerelem   1:21
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.
12. Van Aki Nyugtalan   2:18
Lyrics By – Sülyi, P.
Music By – Kóbor J., Mihály, T.

LINE - UP

Lead Vocals – Kóbor János
Guitar – Molnár György
Bass Guitar, Piano – Mihály Tamás
Drums, Congas – Debreceni Ferenc
Organ, Piano, Synthesizer [Moog] – Benkő László
Lyrics By – Sülyi P.

Flac Size: 265 MB

05. GREATEST PERFORMANCES (LIVE) 2012

                                             

Greatest Performances - 50 Years is a music dvd/video recording by OMEGA (Psychedelic/Space Rock/Progressive Rock) released in 2012 on dvd, blu-ray disc and CD. Is a double live album by the legendary Hungarian rock band Omega, released in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary.
                        

Omega – 2012 - Greatest Performances
Label: Edel : Content – 0207693CTT
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: Europe
Released: Apr 20, 2012
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Prog Rock

CD1.

                           

01. Addig Élj    3:56
02. Hűtlen Barátok    5:40
03. Varázslatos Fehér Kő    5:31
04. A Madár    3:27
05. A Könyvelő Álma    3:52
06. Ezüst Eső    4:48
07. A Nagy Folyó    4:10
08. Ébredés    5:31
09. A Malomban    1:58
10. Hazafelé    3:30
11. A Hetedik Napon    1:05
12. Van Aki Nyugtalan    2:55
13. Nem Tudom A Neved    7:26
14. Őrültek Órája    6:20

Flac Size: 505 MB

CD2.

                                

01. Gammapolis    4:44
02. Életfogytig Rock And Roll    6:48
03. Naplemente    6:26
04. Mozgó Világ    6:30
05. Ballada A Fegyverkovács Fiáról    4:04
06. Léna    5:15
07. Start    2:02
08. Napot Hoztam, Csillagot    4:10
09. Égi Vándor    4:07
10. Nyári Éjek Asszonya    4:37
11. Petróleumlámpa    4:16
12. Gyöngyhajú Lány    7:33

Flac Size: 508 MB

LINE - UP

János Kóbor / lead vocals
György Molnár / guitars
László Benkő / keyboards, vocals
Tamás Mihály / bass, vocals
Ferenc Debreczeni / drums

GUEST MUSICIANS

Tamás Szekeres / guitar
Zsolt Gömöri / keyboards
Péter Vinnai / keyboards
György Demeter, Zsolt Hastó, Ildikó Keresztes, Péter Szolnoki, Bernadett Tunyogi, Orsolya Tunyogi, Attila Vértes / backing vocals

NOTES

Recorded live in the 1990s and 2000s stadion concerts. 

06. ANTHOLOGY 1968 - 1979 2017

                                   

Most of the selections here are the ‘70s re-recordings, in English, of what had been cut earlier in Magyar. Even the  much covered classic isn’t included now in its original charming form, but in two drastically

different ones, acoustic version sung in German hitting much harder than longer, quasi-symphonic rendition delivered the American way. Still, 1975’s “Time Robber” can be enjoyed now& almost in its entirety, including this album’s title track, a boisterous centerpiece of a “House Of Cards” mini-suite which wondrously crystallizes the ensemble’s cosmic aspirations. To file the ensemble only under “Prog” would be wrong, though.
                         

Omega – 2017 - Anthology 1968-1979
Label: Purple Pyramid – CLO 0573
Format: 2 x CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2017
Genre: Rock
Style: Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock

CD1. THE BEAUTY SIXTIES

                             

   
01. Petroleum Lantern    3:23
02. Spanish Guitar Legend    3:29
03. Stormy Fire    3:56
04. The Jester's Daily Bread    3:20
05. Ten Thousand Paces    5:54
06. Remembering    3:27
07. After A Hard Year    5:37
08. Everytime She Steps In    3:44
09. Nur Ein Wort    3:54
10. You Don't Know    3:26
11. 20th Century Town Dweller    6:44
12. Go On The Spree    2:33
13. 200 Years After The Last War    5:31
14. Live As Long As    3:20
15. Just A Bloom    4:34
16. Pearls In Her Hair    5:30
17. Schreib Es Mir In Den Sand    2:59

Flac Size: 512 MB

THE SPACY SEVENTIES        

                                     

    
01. House Of Cards I    5:47
02. Timerobber    2:58
03. House Of Cards II    3:41
04. Invitation    5:42
05. Don't Keep On Me Waiting    7:22
06. Late Night Show    6:32
07. Skyrover    3:54
08. The Lost Prophet    5:49
09. High On The Stairway    4:52
10. Purple Lady    4:43
11. Gammapolis I    4:06
12. Lady Of The Summer Night    4:26
13. Silver Rain    5:10
14. Gammapolis II    7:11

Flac Size: 480 MB

LINE - UP

Lead Vocals – János Kóbor
Bass, Vocals – Tamás Mihály
Drums – Ferenc Debreceni
CGuitar – György Molnár
Keyboards, Vocals – Gábor Presser (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17), László Benkő
Drums, Percussion – József Laux (tracks: 1-1 to 1-17)
Lyrics By – Anna Adamis, Péter Sülyi, Gábor Várszegi

Killing Floor: Killing Floor 1969 + Out Of Uranus 1971

 

The band came together in 1968 when singer Bill Thorndycraft and guitarist Mick Clarke met up in a South London blues band. Originally performing in a blues band known as The Loop, Killing

Floor founder members Mick Clarke (lead guitar) and Bill Thorndycraft (vocals/harmonica) formed the band in 1968 in London, England. After one unsatisfactory gig with the band the two decided to form a new unit together..Bill suggested the name Killing Floor. The band name came from the title of Howlin' Wolf's 1964 track, "Killing Floor". Bill had already met drummer Bazz Smith while touring in Germany, and ads in the "Melody Maker" music paper brought responses from bass player Stuart (Mac) McDonald and pianist Lou Martin.
                         

The band rehearsed hard in various South London pubs and rehearsal rooms, learning a repertoire of Chicago blues standards, but adding their own rock influences. Their first live performance was at

London's "Middle Earth" with Captain Beefheart, and soon the band was playing at all the blues clubs of the time, including appearances at London's Marquee club with The Nice and Yes. The band were again indebted to Edward, who arranged for them to appear at the California Ballroom in Dunstable, where they supported Ten Years After, Jethro Tull, Chicken Shack, and The Herd. Favourite venues included the Blues Loft in High Wycombe where they literally brought the house down..the footstomping of the crowd bringing down the ceiling in the room below!
                        

The first album was released in 1969 on the Spark Label, a subsidiary of the Southern Music publishing group, and licensed in the USA by Sire Records. It got good reviews and airplay, and the band played sessions for John Peel, Johnny Walker, Alexis Korner and other national radio shows. In 1970, the

band's second album, "Out of Uranus" was released on Penny Farthing Records. Although Edward retained record producer duties, Larry Page oversaw the recording sessions as executive producer. AllMusic commented that "Out of Uranus is rawer and more irreverent than most second-line British blues-rock of the late '60s and early '70s, as indicated by the title itself". A single from Out of Uranus, "Call For the Politicians", received airplay on BBC Radio 1, and also sold well in Germany.They released two albums and four singles before initially disbanding in 1972. They have issued another two albums since their reformation in 2002. 
                     

KILLING FLOOR - KILLING FLOOR 1969

                                

The sheer toughness -- and overall derivative -- nature of Killing Floor's debut album, issued six months after Led Zeppelin's debut in 1969 on the Spark label, is a wondrous contrast to the overly slick treatment American blues were given by British artists. All of these tunes, with the exception of one, are revamped

versions of songs from the blues canon with different words. The lone "cover" in the set was written by Willie Dixon titled "Woman You Need Love," the tune Zep ripped for "Whole Lotta Love." This is a raw, immediate, overdriven, psychedelic blues record that offers an interesting historical counterpoint to the immediate impact of Page and Plant and Co., but it also offers a great contrast to the recent 1990s versions of American groups trying to rock up the blues in like style: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion immediately comes to mind. They also provide a heavier, less reverent, and altogether heavier update of the Yardbirds rave-up sound. 
                          

Killing Floor – 1969 - Killing Floor
Label: Repertoire Records – REPUK 1108
Format: CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue 2007
Country:    
Released: 1969    
Genre: Blues
Style: Electric Blues

TRACKS

                                        

01. Woman You Need Love    4:50
02. Nobody By My Side    4:53
03. Come Home Baby    4:03
04. Bedtime Blues    7:29
05. Sunday Morning    1:02
06. Try To Understand    2:37
07. My Mind Can Ride Easy    2:29
08. Wet    0:42
09. Keep On Walking    4:57
10. Forget It    5:32
11. Lou's Blues    2:38
12. People Change Your Mind    8:20

LINE - UP

Vocals, Harmonica ['Harp'] – Bill Thorndycraft
Piano – Lou Martin
Bass – Stuart MacDonald
Drums – Bas Smith
Harpsichord – Lou Martin (tracks: 5)
Lead Guitar – Mick Clarke 

NOTES

Written-By – Smith (tracks: 8, 12), Thorndycraft (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 10, 12), Martin (tracks: 5, 8, 11), Clarke (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 10, 12), MacDonald (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 10, 12), Willie Dixon (tracks: 1)

Flac Size: 406 MB

KILLING FLOOR - OUT OF URANUS 1970

                      

One of the hottest bands on the UK blues scenes was Killing Floor, that featured the powerful guitar of Mick Clarke and harmonica playing of vocalist Bill Thorndycraft. This was the Killer’s second album,

originally released in 1971 and packed with dynamic performances. The ten tracks range from the ‘psycho blues’ number ‘Out Out Of Uranus’ to the fast and funky ‘Acid Bean’ and explosive ‘Son Of Wet’, a raving jam session that features Buddy Rich inspired drummer Bazz Smith. Raised in an era when the Who and Led Zeppelin were all powerful, Killing Floor display some of their riff laden influences while creating their own distinctive sound. This exciting album has become legendary among fans of classic British rock and remains essential listening for all true collectors. 
                       

Killing Floor – 1971 - Out Of Uranus
Label: Repertoire Records – REP 4367-WP
Format: CD, Reissue 1993
Country: Germany
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock
Style: Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Classic Rock

TRACKS

                    

01. Out Of Uranus    4:35
02. Soon There Will Be Everything    3:52
03. Acid Bean    4:18
04. Where Nobody Ever Goes    5:20
05. Sun Keeps Shining    4:22
06. Call For The Politicians    2:20
07. Fido Castrol    4:40
08. Lost Alone    5:05
09. Son Of Wet    5:08
10. Milkman    5:27

LINE - UP

Guitar – Mike Clarke
Keyboards – Lou Martin
Lead Vocals, Harmonica – Bill Thorndycraft
Producer – John Edward 
Violin, Effects [Special] – Paul Spencer Mac
Vocals, Bass – Stuart Mcdonald 
Drums – Bas Smith
Written-By – Bas Smith (tracks: 4, 9), Bill Thorndycraft (tracks: 6), Killing Floor (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 10), Mick Clarke (tracks: 6)

NOTES

Originally released by Penny Farthing Records in 1971. 

Flac Size: 275 MB