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Eight years is a long time to wait between albums, yet that is how long Enigma frontman Michael Cretu made us wait for The Fall of a Rebel Angel. However, Enigma’s eighth studio album is finally here, and I am happy to say it was worth the wait! The best thing about it is that once you listen to it, you’ll realize that it’s like Enigma never left. This album is just as original, fresh, and engaging as past albums…all without resorting to much repetition and pandering. That’s even despite having a track named “Sadeness (Part II)” and the wayward sonic effect from Enigma 7.
Rebel Angel is a concept album. And while it can be argued that all Enigma albums are essentially concept albums, this one really earns that description, because it was created as a soundtrack to a story. That story is told on the album’s 2-disc Deluxe Edition, though truth be told, that part doesn’t really add much. But the songs on the album proper are cohesive even more so than the songs in other Enigma albums. The record moves from one melancholy song to another in a way that just fits. It even has an overarching melody that defines the album and makes an appearance on three tracks throughout. It should also be noted that this is the quietest Enigma album ever made…you will hear nothing that’s too upbeat (except perhaps maybe “Oxygen Red”). Certainly, nothing comparable to songs like “Mea Culpa”, “Return to Innocence”, “TNT For The Brain”, “Modern Crusaders”, “Push The Limits”, “Look of Today”, or “Seven Lives”.
Circle Eight – The opening track features the familiar “Enigma horn”, followed by a female voice speaking the introduction. Very reminiscent of the opening for The Cross of Changes.
The Omega Point – The first proper track sets up the theme of Rebel Angel as it features the album’s overarching melody. The track begins very quietly, but through the course of its over 6-minute runtime swells into a powerful, loud bassline reminiscent of dubstep but not really.
Diving – This is more of an interlude than a song. It is a very quiet track that culminates in a beautiful soundscape of synths.
The Die Is Cast – This is the first vocal piece of the album and is one of its greatest moments. Guest singer Mark Josher was the perfect choice here. His soft, melodic voice fits the song perfectly.
Mother – This track is highly reminiscent of something from Enigma’s debut album. Singer Anggun seductively speaks the lyrics while an electronic piano floats above a slow, sensual beat.
Angus Dei – This features the melody from “The Omega Point” again, but this time, it’s played as the bassline while other elements float above it. This should give your speakers a good workout…the sound is deep and pulsing. A standout track!
Sadeness (Part II) – The “sequel” to the smash hit from Enigma’s debut album isn’t really much of a sequel at all, and that’s how it should be. Sequels to songs have never made much sense to me, so I’m glad Cretu made this something different. The organ riff from Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” command the song while Anggun’s breathy voice speaks its French lyrics. The song is more of an answer to “Sadeness (Part I)”. For the second half of the song, Anggun’s voice soars as she belts out the song’s climax.
Lost in Nothingness – A very pretty, experimental piece. Distorted synths float above very minimalistic music. A couple of minutes of this, and it’s over.
Oxygen Red – Anggun’s final track on this album is more striking than the rest of the tracks. A good song, but ultimately falls flat as it repeats its distorted vocal riff too much. This one could’ve been so much more.
Confession of the Mind – An amazing song…a deep, slow, sensual beat permeates this dreamy track, as the “Omega Point” melody makes one final appearance before a pipe organ gorgeously finishes the song.
Absolvo – Another small interlude…this one is sad and melancholy.
Amen – This is the album’s masterpiece. Electronic duo Aquilo provide vocals here, and it’s beyond amazing. A sad, morose vibe throughout, the song swells into a wonderful crescendo before coming to a pretty abrupt close. It is the perfect closing song, and one of the best Enigma songs ever made.
And that’s pretty much it. It’s a brief, 44-minute trip, but doesn’t really need to be any longer. This album stands proudly among the other seven, and it’s perfect just how it is. When artists have long gaps between albums, the resulting album tends to have an identity crisis…like it wants to be new but sound like the past glory days (and failing). This did not happen with The Fall of a Rebel Angel. Cretu has simply created a new chapter in an existing legacy. I truly hope that we will eventually get Enigma 9, and that we won’t have to wait so long next time!
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Reviews with images
only 12 tracks and not 14 see photo
On the back of the CD cover it says that it has 14 tracks; but when in my PC , it is only 12 tracks; something is wrong; the Music is fine.
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
All seems fine. No surprises
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2016