The year „MCMXC a.D.” - that is 1990 in Roman numerals - saw the release of Engima’s first album. Aptly named after the year it was initially released in, Enigma’s  stellar debut rocketed to the top of the charts world-wide. The innovative and unique sound collage transcended cultural and traditional boundaries, captivating and inspiring a broad audience world-wide.

The words of the opening track “The Voice of Enigma” marked the beginning of a new musical era: “Good Evening. This is the voice of Enigma. In the next hour we will take you with us into another world – into the world of music, spirit, and meditation. Turn off the light, take a deep breath, and relax. Start to move slowly, very slowly. Let the rhythm be your guiding light”.

The first single-release “Sadeness” certainly was much more than a new listening adventure. It was a unique and sensual musical encounter with a blend of elements including the well-known Gregorian chant “In Nomine Christi, Amen” and breathy  French lyrics. The cryptic incantations “Sade, dis-moi, Sade, donnes-moi” are a reference to the controversial Marquis de Sade. Enigma’s juxtaposition of sexuality and religion is one of the main themes of this album. The second single release “Mea Culpa” centers around guilt whereas the theme of the third single release “Principles of Lust” is not really open to interpretation. Mastermind Michael Cretu reveals his creative philosophy in a press release: “Old rules and habits must be rejected and dismissed, so that something new can be created.” – thus outlining the concept of the album. The fourth single release “Rivers Of Belief” provides yet another cultural music experience focussing on the Hinduism’s holy river, the Ganges. Enigma’s debut takes the listener on an eclectic musical journey of different styles and genres.

“MCMXC a.D.” was the first of the seven Enigma albums that have been released to date: “The Cross of Changes”, “Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!”, “The Screen Behind The Mirror”, “Voyageur”, “A Posteriori” and the most recent release “Seven Lives Many Faces”.

"My intention was to make a record with a kind of music, I'd like to listen to, but it wasn't available on the market in 1990. So I did it by my own. And basically it was my attempt to make a "humanized instrumental music", because at that time instrumental was just instrumental. I understood it in a different way taking noises from nature, i.e. birds or waterdrops, and also human voices, but implemented as an instrument and not as lead vocals. It should be a kind of chill out music, which is calm and intellectual at the same time.

"MCMXC a.D." is done in the tradition of bands like "Yes" or "Pink Floyd" who did an album all-in-one with transitions from one song to the other. I tried to break rules - in more than just one way. This is, what I intend to do with every ENIGMA album."

Produced by Enigma
© 1990 Virgin Schallplatten GmbH
® 2003 Virgin Music

return to playlist

• The Voice Of Enigma
• Sadeness
• Callas Went Away
• Mea Culpa
• The Voice And The Snake
• Knocking On Forbidden Doors
• The Rivers Of Belief