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Apocalypse is the third studio album by the jazz fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra. Released in 1974 by Columbia Records, it is the first album of the second lineup of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and features the London Symphony Orchestra. It was produced by George Martin, who regarded it as “one of the best records [he had] ever made”. It is the fourth album in its chronology after Between Nothingness and Eternity.

Reception

AllMusic review Richard S. Ginell awarded the album 4 stars and stated:”The first recording of the second Mahavishnu Orchestra was a real stretch for John McLaughlin, an encounter with Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra. The union wasn’t taken seriously at the time, and it ended up harming the reputation of Thomas — a remarkably adventurous young conductor who defied the stuffy classical powers-that-be and thus probably delayed his eventual rise to the top — more than McLaughlin. But those with ears, then and now, beheld a remarkable series of pieces that neatly juxtapose and occasionally combine the combustion of McLaughlin’s group with rich, tasteful symphonic statements orchestrated for McLaughlin by Michael Gibbs. The new Mahavishnu-ites, electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist/vocalist Gayle Moran, have their moments, but the real focus of this disc is the quality of the symphonic conceptions and how well McLaughlin blends his lyrical and fiery guitar into the mixture. The best stretch is the breathtakingly ethereal opening of “Hymn to Him”; the promise of fusing rock, jazz, and classical elements had never been executed so alluringly before — and wouldn’t you know, an old experienced hand at introducing classical textures into rock, the Beatles’ George Martin, is the producer. Don’t let old, outworn preconceptions on either side of the fence prevent you from checking out this beautiful record.”

Track listing
All music composed by John McLaughlin; lyrics to “Smile of the Beyond” composed by “Mahalakshmi” Eve McLaughlin.

Side one
1. “Power of Love” 4:36
2. “Vision Is a Naked Sword” 14:16
3. “Smile of the Beyond” 7:56
Side two
1. “Wings of Karma” 6:12
2. “Hymn to Him” 19:23

Personnel
John McLaughlin – guitars, vocal composer
Gayle Moran – keyboards, vocals
Jean-Luc Ponty – electric violin, electric baritone violin
Ralphe Armstrong – bass guitar, vocals
Narada Michael Walden – drums, percussion, vocals

with

Michael Tilson Thomas – conductor, piano
Michael Gibbs – orchestration
Marsha Westbrook – viola
George Martin – producer
Carol Shive – violin, vocals
Philip Hirschi – cello, vocals
Geoff Emerick – engineer

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Released: April 1974
Recorded: March 1974
Studio: AIR Studios (London)
Length: 52:23
Label: Columbia
Producer: George Martin