Element - Time

A long awaited reissue of this AOR gem from France. Featuring Rafael Garrido (Warning), Patrick Rondat, Hermann Frank (Accept). Born and formed in West Germany in the spring of 1984 under the name Energy, by Rafael Garrido (ex-Warning, vocals), Hermann Frank (ex-Accept - guitars), Wolf Hettmer (Bass), Tilo Heider (drums), and, for a short while, Kai Hansen (guitars). This first group, with the help of Michael Wagener, experimented producing a first demo despite the various egos that tugged at it. Following a complete turnaround, the new outfit was joined by Fred Guillemet (bass), Charly Torino (drums), Patrick Rondat (guitars), and Stefan Kurten (piano & keyboards). At the end of 1984, completing the production initiated by Rafael and under the name Hazzard, Herman Frank produced this new group on his own. In March 1985, Energy transformed into Stilelement and then The Element. This was followed by a first 8-track album, co-produced and directed by Rafael "Ralph Towers" Garrido and Wolfgang Hermes, under the album name: Time. In 1986, The Element signed a license with Rock Records/Polygram. Praised by the national and international press, it failed to secure adequate distribution despite numerous efforts, including MIDEM. This resulted in a debacle that was somewhat attributed to the shortcomings of a poorly restructured showbiz industry lacking A&R resources due to copying and the free nature of websites at the time.