Artist: Enigma Album: The Cross of Changes

Year: 1993
Duration: 44:13

A Critical Review of The Cross of Changes by Enigma

It's been about three decades since the release of the second album by the musical project Enigma, The Cross of Changes. The album landed in 1993 and received immense success and gained global recognition for its uniqueness and exceptional talent. Enigma has been a revolutionary in the music industry, responsible for introducing a new genre that's a blend of rock, classical, and new-age music. In this blog post, we'll explore the highlights of the album - The Cross of Changes, with a brief history of the artist. We will also cover some of the most innovative parts of the album and point out the best songs.

The creative force behind the Enigma project is Michael Cretu, who is a Romanian-German producer, singer, and songwriter. Cretu's music incorporated elements of global spiritual practices such as Gregorian chants, Indian music, and African rhythms. The Cross of Changes was the second album and the follow-up to Enigma's highly successful MCMXC a.D. The new album had a similar sound, yet it explored different topics in a broader scope. Michael Cretu's Enigma has always been driven to create music that inspires, entertains, and educates listeners. The music is a blend of different genres, creating a mystical and spiritual atmosphere.

One of the notable aspects of the album is the variety of instruments that were used in the production. The Cross of Changes is an eclectic mix of Bagpipes, Guitars, Duduk, Shakuhachi, and shamanic drums. Return to Innocence is one of the most famous songs from the album, which features an Indian chant and the sounds of a shakuhachi. Another popular song from the album is The Eyes of Truth, which has an intro that sounds like a Gregorian chant. Michael Cretu's usage of these different instruments and sounds helped create a unique genre that stood out from other styles.

The Cross of Changes is an album that's packed with emotion. It reflects on the issues of freedom, human nature, morality, and spirituality. The Dream of the Dolphin is an instrumental song that perfectly describes the atmosphere of the album. It instills a sense of calmness and spirituality for the listener. Age of Loneliness is another song that stands out for its incredible lyrics. The song speaks about the loneliness that people experience, even in crowded places. It raises questions about the impact of technology in relationships.

The album's lyrics were deep, spiritual, and thought-provoking, but sometimes enigmatic. Out from the Deep is an example of a song that has a mysterious and deep culture. It contains lyrics about the Sphynx and the Riddle of the Epic. The song reflects on the human quest for knowledge and the challenges that come with it. Michael Cretu's sense of ambiguity and mysteriousness in the lyrics added to the beauty of the album.

One significant factor that set The Cross of Changes apart from its predecessor was the range that it offered. From the upbeat Return to Innocence to the eerie and solemn Age of Loneliness, the album provided a wide palette of soundscapes. The music shifts from explosive thunderous sounds to peaceful and gentle sounds, creating an emotional rollercoaster for the listener.

Enigma's The Cross of Changes is one of the greatest albums of all time due to its musicality, spirituality, and innovation. Michael Cretu created a perfect blend of different cultural instruments and sounds that produced an otherworldly vibe, making it one of the most successful new-age albums in history. The album's success also came from its thought-provoking lyrics and deep themes that captured the hearts of many listeners. The Cross of Changes is a must-listen album for all the fans of new-age, rock, and classical music alike. From the top-notch production quality to the vivid soundscapes, this album is a masterpiece that continues to leave listeners in awe.

Enigma's The Cross of Changes is one of the greatest albums of all time due to its musicality, spirituality, and innovation. Michael Cretu created a perfect blend of different cultural instruments and sounds that produced an otherworldly vibe, making it one of the most successful new-age albums in history. The album's success also came from its thought-provoking lyrics and deep themes that captured the hearts of many listeners. The Cross of Changes is a must-listen album for all the fans of new-age, rock, and classical music alike. From the top-notch production quality to the vivid soundscapes, this album is a masterpiece that continues to leave listeners in awe.