Apocalypse (Mahavishnu Orchestra album)

Apocalypse is the Mahavishnu Orchestra's fourth album and third studio album, released in 1974.

Apocalypse
Studio album by Mahavishnu Orchestra
Released	April 1974
Recorded	March 1974
Studio	AIR Studios (London)
Genre	Jazz fusion
Length	52:23
Label	Columbia
Producer	George Martin
Mahavishnu Orchestra chronology
Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973) Apocalypse (1974) Visions of the Emerald Beyond (1975)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	C[2]
Sputnikmusic	3.5/5[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[5]

It is performed by the second line-up of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. It was produced by George Martin, who regarded it as "one of the best records [he had] ever made".^[6]

The back cover features a poem by Sri Chinmoy as well as a group photo of those who created the album.

Track listing

All music composed by John McLaughlin; lyrics to "Smile of the Beyond" composed by "Mahalakshmi" Eve McLaughlin.

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Power of Love"	4:36
2.	"Vision Is a Naked Sword"	14:16
3.	"Smile of the Beyond"	7:56

Side two

No.	Title	Length
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

Charts

Chart (1974)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[7]	82
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[8]	29
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[9]	30
US Billboard 200[10]	43
US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard)[11]	10