Week of June 20, 2004

Kyrie Eleison

Personnel:
Manfred Drapela - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Backing Vocals
Gerald Krampl - Keyboards, Synthesizers, Mellotron, Backing Vocals
Norbert Morin - Bass, Bass Pedals, Acoustic Guitar
Karl Novotny - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Michael Schubert - Lead Vocals, Percussion

Discography:
The Blind Windows Suite 1994 (1974-1975 recordings)
Live (Vienna) 1975
The Fountain Beyond The Sunrise 1977
CD: The Complete Kyrie Eleison Box Set (MIO Records, Israel, MIO 017/9), 3CD
CD: Indigo ICD 30.002 (1992)

Kyrie Eleison is an Austrian band that existed between 1974 to 1979 and then turned into Indigo. The music Kyrie Eleison seemed to be most inspired by is 'Trespass', 'Nursery Cryme' and 'Foxtrot' and those records represent arguably the best period of Genesis. The 3CD boxed set includes the band's known album, "The Fountain Beyond The Sunrise" from 1977, including a studio demo recording from 1978, another album that was released only on CD in 1994, called "The Blind Windows Suite", which includes the band's initial demo sessions (1974-1975) recordings, and a third CD containing a live show in Vienna from 1975 which includes even more unreleased material. Also, the box set includes a lavish 36-page booklet. The music of Kyrie Eleison is categorised as symphonic prog with strong classical influences. The band opened for progressive acts such as Van Der Graaf Generator, Amon Düül, Eela Craig, Colosseum, etc. They toured several times through Austria with their concept of a 'symphonic rock theatre'.

Taken from forcedexposure.com

The four long tracks on "The Fountain Beyond The Sunrise" are totally flawless, with great themes and powerful instrumental parts. The musicians are skilful, and the compositions are absolutely magnificent. This LP is considered by many as one of the best examples of art rock. The group also did a theatrical show on stage, complete with costumes and fantasy lyrics. The man behind this great outfit is Gerald Krampl; he wrote the music. This LP is a must for 70s progressive rock lovers, and now it has been finally re-released along with all the rest of the recorded material of Kyrie Eleison.


A note from the Kyrie Eleison book and keyboard player Gerald Krampl

Kyrie Eleison was formed in 1974 by three school friends: Gerald Krampl - keyboards, Felix Rausch - guitars and Karl Novotny - drums, with Wolfgang Wessely - vocals and Gerhard Frank - bass. After the departure of Felix, Gerhard and Wolfgang due to musical differences, Michael Schubert - vocals, Manfred Drapela - guitars, and Norbert Mann - bass joined the remaining two members in 1975. In this line-up, the band was touring heavily through Austria, when, in 1976, an idea to record an album was born.

When I found out that the musical concept of a "rock theatre" with large-scale compositions and without a commercial single did not fit in with the concepts of the major record companies, I decided to take the risk and produce the LP on our own label (Merlin Records) by myself. So at the end of 1976, we went into a very cheap studio and began to record nearly under live conditions, with only 2-track recording machines.

The release of the album in January 1977 was quite a sensation, as it was one of the first independent releases in Austria, and, therefore, highly acclaimed by the press and music magazines. This release kick-started the big tour on which we played in all major cities in Austria, as well as at several open festivals, together with bands like Van Der Graaf Generator, Amon Düül, Eela Craig, Colosseum, etc.

Despite it all, the financial situation of the band was even worse, and the sales figures of the album stopped at about 1,000 items, which could obviously not cover the costs. So in 1978, Karl Novotny and Manfred Drapela decided to leave the band and finish their musical career. They were replaced by Otti Singer - drums and Gerhard Eder - guitars, which kept the band alive for nearly another year. But it did not lead it out of the permanent financial crisis. After a lot of further concerts, many of them self-organized, and plans for a second LP, which were not to be realised, as well as increasing personal problems with singer Michael Schubert, I decided to give up the band at the end of 1978.

My musical career continued on in 1984 with a new project named Indigo.

Gerald Krampl

Taken from the MIO Records Website


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