Created by EnigmaMusic.com

1994

The second Enigma album "The Cross Of Changes" yielded a number of singles, and the versions vary by the different countries, limited editions etc. and so I shall count them categorically without detailing the issues released being too numerous and besides the interest of this account.

"Return to Innocence" ( German Virgin CD 7243 8 92197 2 2); was released on January 4th and went on to become one of the years most outstanding and most recognisbale chart hits. A topten chart hit in almost every country it was released in, it went onto establish Enigma as more than a one hit wonder chart band. "The Eyes of the Truth" ( German CD Virgin 7243 8 92368 2 8 ); was released in April, followed by "Age of Loneliness" ( Virgin CD 7243 8 92525 2 1 ); in August and finally "Out From the Deep" (Virgin CD 7243 8 92691 2 2) in November. The success of the second album was evidence that novelty and technique were overrated in the critics' accounts for Enigma's success.

Finally in November a "The Cross Of Changes Limited Edition" ( Virgin CD 7243 8400452 1 ) was released in a rather unique and oustanding format. The album was this time time was packaged in a Black and Gold Digipak format with the CD being in 24 carot gold plated. The format was the same as 3 tracks were added to the original album although this time, unlike the "MCMXC a.D. Limited Edition", they were not blended or mixed together. The release was limited to the European markets only and this album is still one of the most sought after Enigma albums.


Three years later the novelty would have worn out and the technique of sampling had already become rather common-place. Enigma remained more than the simple summation of its components and the success defied all claims of plagiarism. The components (notes, chants, computers, etc.) were available for all to employ and assemble as the wished, and a whole new trend was set; however, there remained only one Enigma.

Michael Cretu ~ "If you don't have your own studio and at four in the morning you have this brilliant idea you have to first call around and ask if anybody's got a slot for you and when and where and how."

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