The soul belongs to God,
But the body belongs to us
This is one of the lyrics of one of the haunting track of Enigma's The Screen Behind The Mirror
The band was blamed to be Anti-Christ because of its lyrics and the thought they provoke. But, according to me, if it's music then it isn't against God, because MUSIC IS GOD.
Whenever I hear this album, I am sent into a trance. I get a feeling that I am free, and I am myself. I start enjoying life.
As an ardent fan of Enigma, I have all their albums. This one is their fourth after releasing three of their big hit album.
The Opening Of Wisdom
Enigma is a one-man band produced by Michael Cretu. It is based in Germany and has released all its albums through Virgin GmbH.
Their first album saw the number one song Sadeness. The album was itself a huge hit all over the world.
Michael Cretu uses a very unique style of music. He blends different kinds of music to create a fusion of sounds from all around the world. He uses the sounds of monks chanting in the background, and musical instruments like Tabla, Mandolin, Flute, Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, and just everything from around the world.
The vocals is given by himself and by his wife, Sandra Cretu and Elisabeth Houghton. These three have lended their voice to all albums of Enigma.
This is a very unique album with a deep title name, The Screen Behind The Mirror, which means that if you think that mirror shows the truth, then there is something beyond that truth that is unreal and surreal.
Now let me take you through each of the tracks in the album:
1) The Gate
As usual, like all albums of Enigma, a voice called The Voice of Enigma starts the album. With a haunting feeling and a soothing voice, you are accompanied into the world of non-stop music of this album.
What awaits you is something really beyond words.
2) Push The Limits
Basic Instincts, social life,
Paradoxes side by side.
Don't submit to stupid rules,
Be yourself and not a fool.
Don't accept average habits,
Open your heart and push the limits
This is the lyrics of the second track. It is a very good number with monks chanting and hyperbass.
The songs tells us to not follow what others have said and preached. You cannot fool yourself and not accept what is given to you. You can always be yourself.
The song is aimed at every youth trapped in worldly bonds, who wants to break free.
3) Gravity Of Love
Try to think about it...
That's the chance to live your life and discover,
What it is, what's the gravity of love.
Look around just people, can you hear their voice.
Find the one who'll guide you to the limits of your choice.
But of you're in the eye of storm,
Just think of the lonely dove.
The experience of survival is the key,
To the gravity of love
Again a very surreal lyrics of a real good third track. This is my favourite track in the album.
I tells you go out and discover yourself or someone who can guide you to something real, and teach you the principles of survival, which is very important. You just have to find the true love.
This track couldn't get better. It is just beautiful.
4) Smell Of Desire
This fourth track is completely instrumental. It gives such a nice feeling to your soul that you would like to listen to it again and again.
It makes you feel relaxed and calm. It removes all the tensions from your brains.
It is just beautifully carved.
5) Modern Crusaders
Don't look back, the time has come,
All the Pain turns into love.
We're not submissive, we are not aggressive.
But they think we can't defend.
Stand Up; join us,
Modern Crusaders alive
The crusader wages a war against the evil and bad of the society in medieval history.
This songs asks all the youth to come out and fight for their needs and wants. People who think they are weak, should be proved wrong.
This is the essence of a fast tracked song.
6) Traces (Light and Weight)
This sixth track is again an instrumental one, which gives the same effect as the fourth track.
It is also very soothing and has a very caring rhythm to it. It is very well composed and presented.
Another superb track from the album.
7) The Screen Behind The Mirror
You can call this track a remix of the second track ''Gravity Of Love''. But the opening lyrics is bit different.
It is the title track and is very nicely paced and choreographed. This is the track where Michael Cretu himself lends his voice.
It is nicely done.
8) Endless Quest
Another instrumental track in this album, which is again a slow and soothing track.
The song contains Chinese Flute sounds and very good voice of Elisabeth Houghton.
This track sets you for the upcoming track.
9) Camera Obscura
This is a very small track, which starts from where the last track ended. It feels like a continuation, but isn't.
It is fast paced track with lots of Electric Guitar, Monks Chants and Michael Cretu.
The only thing saddening is that it ends too soon.
10) Between Mind & Heart
It's hard to find the balance when you are in love.
You're lost in the middle cause you have to decide
Between mind & heart.
Heart is the engine of your body.
but brain is the engine of life
This track gives you a choice between your heart and brain, however both are required. It says that heart is good to run your body, but the brain is running your life. It is you who is trapped between the choice between the two.
The song is nicely paced and is really good.
11) Silence must be heard
Look into the others eyes, many frustrations.
Read between the lines, no words just vibrations.
Don't ignore hidden desires,
Pay attention, you are playing with fire.
Silence must be heard, noise should be observed
This track tells us that silence is louder than spoken words. Silence can say lot of thing. You can just observe the eyes of a person and tell what he wants to say. Compassion and emotion are seen without being heard.
This track ends the album, and leaves you asking for more.
The End Of The Immortal
Here I end my review on this beautiful album. It is a must have for Enigma fans. It has left me with some good thoughts that I use in my daily life.
The album is really inspiring for the youth.
Go get it!
