Enigma

Cross Of Changes

Landmark 2nd album bears 'Cross...' well.

Review Score:

(10/10)
Even though Enigma first made a name for itself with its single "Sadness Pt.1" off its debut album "MCMXC A.D.", it was the release of its sophomore effort, "Cross of Changes", that really established it as a major force in new age (and popular) music. The hit single, "Return to Innocence", is such a haunting and captivating song that it still finds radio play on regular rock/pop stations almost 10 years after its release. The tribal beats mixed with modern music and combined with an evocative choral solo power this simple song about realizing what's important in life (i.e. 'returning to innocence'). It still sends chills up my spine whenever it is played. The two bookend tracks to "Return..." have also found a wide distribution, although, not as radio singles, but as frequently used scores movie trailers. Track #2, "The Eyes of Truth" is frequently used in action film trailers, most notably for "The Matrix" (though, it did not appear on the soundtrack). Track #4, the chilling "I Love You ... I'll Kill You" has found play on such movie previews as Arnold Schwarzenneger's "Eraser". "The Eyes of Truth" is an amazing track as it plays slow, thumping beats before finishing with a flourish of a soaring chorus followed by a haunting female solo. There is one other truly standout track on "Cross of Changes"... "The Dream of The Dolphin". It evokes sense of spiritual peace with nature and is quite relaxing to listen to.

The beauty of this album is that, even with the separate standout songs, it flows together as one complete journey with each song feeding seamlessly into the next. "Cross of Changes" provides a memorable musical adventure for the listener and foreshadows the greatness to come on subsequent albums "Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!" and "Screen Behind the Mirror".

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