RED SHIFT

This was British space rockers OMNIA OPERA's second and final album released for Delerium Records in 1997. A little different than the previous self titled album of four years earlier in that there are quite a bit of electronics added on this one. Another long one at over 75 minutes and again it's very much hit and miss although more of the latter.

"Annihilaion" is a pretty good rocker with vocals. It does settle right down before 6 minutes then the drums join in before it kicks back in after 11 1/2 minutes. This just doesn't "sound" right to me. "Slide" has strummed guitar and fake sounding drums as the vocals join in. Female vocals too. "Timelines" opens with thunder as synths take over then dreamy vocals and percussion join in. It picks up after 2 1/2 minutes with a catchy beat. Vocals come and go. Guitar solo before 6 minutes then a crying baby ends it. "Fly And Burn" is unusually heavy for these guys and uptempo as the vocals come and go.

"Astronomica" sounds like a TANGERINE DREAM track with those electronic beats. "Braindance" is catchy and vocals arrive after 2 minutes. A calm before 6 minutes then it builds again to an uptempo sound. "Raindance" is another electronic tune with some vocal melodies. "Regeneration" sounds great to start with the spacey synths and chunky bass with guitar but unfortunately that changes after 2 1/2 minutes to the end. "Shopping General" is spacey to start but riffs take over before a minute with a more uptempo sound. Lots going on. "Waiting" is the only song that really got me excited and it's the closer. Atmosphere as drums and liquid keys join in. It kicks in before 2 minutes but settles back quickly. Vocals 4 minutes in then it kicks in again after 5 minutes. Great sound ! Kicking ass after 7 minutes then it settles back before 10 minutes and a space transmission can be heard to end it.

A low 3 stars but i've heard good things about the comeback album they released in 2011 some 14 years after this one.