OMNIA OPERA

Omnia Opera's return as recording artists have resulted in a high quality double-disc album, of which the first one documents the band at their very best with its hour long run through of high energy, high impact Hawkwind style space rock. The second disc documents the versatility of the band, and sees it explore space rock territories of a less intense and generally gentler overall nature. A fine production all in all, with fans of 70's Hawkwind being most likely the key audience.

"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.

"Space Bastards" is like HAWKIND 101. And because of that it's a turn off for me. You'd think it was a cover. "Disbelief" has distorted guitars along with drums leading early as the male vocals join in. Great sound 1 1/2 minutes in as it picks up. Contrasts continue. A top three. "The Awakening" is another top three for me. A haunting and spacey intro as a beat takes over and female vocals join in before 3 minutes. The guitar sounds amazing before 7 minutes when the vocals stop. They continue to jam and it's spacey late to end it. "Floating Setee" opens with some prominant bass then it kicks in. Keyboards too. Vocals and a heavier sound after 2 minutes. He yells the words. Not a fan of this one.

"The Awakened" builds until we get a real rocker happening. Very OZRICS-like. It settles down and spoken vocals come in as the sounds swirl. "Each Day" opens with transmission samples before kicking in with vocals. Female vocals too. I like the spacey section 3 minutes in to 5 minutes the best and the guitar that follows. "The Brighter The Sun" has sounds that pulse with spoken words. It kicks in with vocals. An okay song. "Bright Sun" is an insrumental with intricate and pulsating sounds. "Freeze Out" is my final top three and the closer. It's spacey and haunting as siren-like sounds wail. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes and the vocals join in. It settles back when the vocals stop and we get some great sounding guitar after 3 minutes. Vocals are back after 5 minutes as it kicks in again. A calm before 7 minutes then it builds. Another calm 10 minutes in to the end.

Very much hit and miss for me but when they "hit" they are so good. Kind of long too at over 73 minutes. Well worth checking out if you like HAWKWIND or the OZRICS.

First CD starts with the hypnotic cosmic/kraut trip Destroyer Of Worlds - a bit gloomily outfitted - the next one though comes more lively due to the varied makeup, including vocal and encouraging guitar presence. Third one in the row Genus Of Angels is trippy hallucinogenic on the other hand. Well, up until now everybody must have noticed that this is really multi-faceted. And then the following tracks 4 and 5 represent the album's core, I would say - the creative peak. The title song opens with a motif which comes close to the well-known 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene', soon turns into another direction then with an impressing groove and melancholic mellotron alike impressions.

Another turn leads into a female vocal dominated part - it must be Libby Vale who sings 'Nothing Is Ordinary' - damn right! And then the band goes jamming with that order in the back, the bass temporarily seems to run out of control ... wow, what a great workout! The speedy Supernova follows, provided with a strong new electronica attitude first and impressive guitars played with glissando effect, sounds like a cooperation between Hawkwind and Gong in some way as for composition and implementation. And it's absolutely necessary to mention the dynamic Pictures On The News - first of all because Rob Lloyd serves a fantastic guitar solo here.

CD 2 appears to me a tad more flamboyant and even experimental, strange samples are worked into, vocals are otherwordly here and there, whacked-out trips like Clouds Gather will leave you puzzled, partially they are rrrrrocking like hell and then again they use the relaxed way with the Pink Floyd inspired Leanings Backwards ... Nothing is ordinary - OMNIA OPERA come out of hibernation with bravour - the first new album release since 1997, and what a precious one! Space cadets all over should pay attention here, highly recommended! So much spirit cumulated in recent years, a great experience - deserves a place on my best-of list for the year 2011 - 4.5 stars.