The Nine Worlds

Achillea

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 2005)
• Original Release Date: August 2, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sequoia Records
• ASIN: B0009XT87Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,448 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Billboard Magazine

"Rich with complex melodies, insinuating rhythms and the kind of hooks that make radio programmers sit up and take notice."

Product Description

From the co-creator of ENIGMA !

Highly acclaimed co-producer and guitarist of the multi-platinum group Enigma, Jens Gad brings you a spellbinding downtempo musical odyssey into the ancient mythology of his Scandinavian homeland. He is joined by the entrancing classical vocals of Helene Horlyck, to co-create a sophisticated and hypnotic chill-out journey through "The Nine Worlds" of archaic legend. At once stirring and calming, entertaining yet relaxing, Achillea achieves a vibrantly new and hauntingly beautiful musical vision that artfully blends evocative ambient New Age atmospheres with European dance club electronica. Achillea elegantly weaves the mystery of ancient myth - a world of seers, elves, and rune masters, into a lush, richly layered sonic landscape with velvety melodies of delicately bluesy guitar playing, slow sensuous grooves and silky smooth vocals sung in Latin and ancient Swedish. Both intimate and cinematic, this uniquely transcendent masterpiece is full of deep beauty and mysterious wonder that will nourish your soul.

"Achillea is the new project for producer/guitarist Jens Gad, co-producer, co-writer and one of the central creative forces behind popular group Enigma (alongside Michael Cretu). For his first solo project, Gad presents an atmospheric album of tunes themed after Danish myth. Enigma fans should definitely take note, as there are many common denominators between both groups: the same laid-back "Enigma-style" beats, Gregorian chant, whispery vocals and Gad's signature electric guitar. Achillea differs by offering an album steeped in dreamy ambience. This album slower paced and more ethereal, making it better suited for the mind than the dance floor. Adding to the appeal is the wispy, sensual vocals of singer Helene Horlyck, who sings on many of the tracks. Serene, slightly trippy and sure to bring on a bout of Enigma nostalgia, this is a must for worldbeat/chill music fans." – Music Design In Review

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nine Worlds - Simply Outstanding, August 11, 2005

By	N.H. (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Spiritual, mysterious and emotionally evoking, The Nine Worlds is a must for anyone who has ever enjoyed an Enigma track.

It is very difficult to find the right words to impress how outstanding this album is. Each track grabs you and evokes an emotional deep connection and as with each track progression the album becomes increasing spellbinding and intoxicating.

Jens Gad (the co-producer and guitarist of Enigma) has really raised the bar and this album manages to capture the soul of the genre while progressing into new territory. Helene Horlyck's vocals are simply perfectly matched and simply magical.

The album should also appeal to those that have ever enjoyed an encapsulating melody or European flavor from an a really good Cirque du Soleil or Jean Michelle Jarre score - you will be blown away by this album.

And for anyone who is spiritual and ever worked with Runes, this album delivers another tonal layer of understanding and interpretation that could never be spoken but only ever captured by music.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing!, August 8, 2005

By	Onur Tezgeldi (Istanbul, Turkey.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Achillea - Prelude

An opening like a usual Enigma album, swirling atmospheric sounds and some left to right floating tunes, just like a hallmark of the sound, different but resembles ''The Voice of Enigma'' in a way..


Ragnarok - Twilight of The Gods (05:57):


.....into harmonic haunting and classic vocals of Helene Horlyck...Setting a clear start to the whole masterpiece...''Sanctietuuuus, Santiemus'' Voices from nature, waves crashing on the shores, birds singing around while Helene singing the art of music...Then the drums are introduced with water droplets just like an Enigma track....Her vocals are dreamy, meditating, incredibly powerful...Main beats are completely new, never heard before...Saxophone like instrument is introduced with the beat, not forgetting the amazing Gad guitar solo....Water droplets, hi-hats, classic vocals after a transition the song turns into the beats of Principles of Lust-like...Layers are identical to Enigmatic pieces as we are used to hearing on each new release...


Odin's Hill (07:09):


...we are still in the jungle, but there is a deep bass sound travelling the notes with Helene's vocals again....Here kicks the main beats, just like the previous track, this is something really new, pure sophisticated pop music blended with Classic vocals and rock-ish guitar riffs of Jens....Then the Page of Cups like effects ''Sudden fade in's and out's'' we all have heard on Voyageur...This song is truly a masterpiece on the album..You can't help your imaginations here, just like running near a sunny shore...We also hear some classic guitars on this song too...Truly amazing...


The Monks of Lindsifarne (03:12):


...Gregorian chants are back and better than ever! We are in A.D 793, The attack of the Vikings represented the vengeance of Satan on the Christian outposts of Europe..Swirling sounds are back again with the great guitar solo of Jens....The beats reminded me a remix intro of Mea Culpa (actually, Fading Shades version of the song)... All are complete by 3:12....


Cape Porcupine (04:38):


...Another ambient track with Helene's fantastic vocals again...In fact is something I would like to call ''Progressive Chill Out'' or ''Chill Out Part 2''.
It is not pop, it is not classical either...Vividly reminiscent of Enigma quality...
His touches to guitar are simply stunning...


The Seeress Prophecy - Daydreaming (04:26):


...A Piano voice like the softness of a Harp into modern pop tunes powered with Classic guitar. And Jens introduces us an instrument , something like a journey from the human voice to electronic guitar, finally the first English whisperings can be heard on the track ''Keep on dreaming....Daydreaming.'' this is from a voice very similar to Elisabeth Houghton, but I believe this is Helene whispering in the track..While the piano fades out we are...


The Land of the Elves (02:24):

...back to the jungle, but i believe it's night now because we can clearly hear cicadas...Guitar solo by Jens again...This track is more like an interlude to the next track...Guess what we hear on the track...Sandra! Yes, surprisingly there are seducing Sandra breathing samples from left to right channel looping throughout the song, just dancing with the electronic guitar...Enclosed with the whisperings of Helene...Feels like listening to a Lord of The Rings score featuring Sandra samples...Sandra samples are similar to Enigma Tracks like ''Beyond The Invisible or Push The Limits Radio Edit addon Sandra breaths (I know you never noticed them before)


Shears From Scar (04:37):


...The song starts in the jungle again with an interesting instrument that reminded me the voices of Raptors on the Jurassic Park Movie...Helene is on the main vocals again...A Variety of Sadeness beats, but different enough...Helene sings from heaven to the audience, with the calm layers..This song would perfectly fit an Enigma album...In the end of the song beats are transformed to the radio effect into this Gregorian chants of...


The Nine Worlds (03:56):


...the next brilliant album title song ''The Nine Worlds''..Kinda ''Out from the Deep or '' like layers with the Push The Limits/ TNT For The Brain authentic looping instrument...Whisperings continue with the electronic guitar...There's a chant on the song just like the ones we hear on ''Push The Limits...Soft but still vivid to ears..


Staraja Lagoda (05:00):


...we hear some stick voices while morphing into Jens Gad's submarine...Continous breathing voices, just like diving in Staraja Lagoda...Our Viking ship arrived to Russia? (Staraja Lagoda was the important first Viking staging post on the trade route to Russia)...A true Ambient track, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that on a Cafe Del Mar release...


Othila - The Rune Masters (03:03):


...An opening like a documentary soundtrack...Just like visiting the ancient civilizations of history (this is being Vikings in our story) This is like telling an epic tale to us... Very soft and calm...This is the type of track very close to be considered as Classical music...Helene is like singing an opera...Her voice resembles Sarah Brightman on this track..The song fades out to...



Achillea - Exodus (01:19):

...close the first chapter of the Achillea journey....With the same identical whisperings and the prelude tunes...Just the typical formula of Cretu.

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Achillea is a great chill out / classical album with Enigma flavours... Dreamy, exciting, relaxing...Just like an Enigma release with a more Historical theme.
Cheers to Jens Gad...That was an incredible session...
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn off the lights take a deep breath...Achillea!, August 14, 2005

By	I. Martinez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm at a loss for words when describing this incredible mind journey but Enigma is back! I consider this album to be part of Enigma being Jen Gad worked with Cretu in previous Enigma albums. This album has elements that will remind you of Enigma it's a beautiful journey when heard. Truly Enigmatic! I can only hope his other work like Enigmatic Obsession will be released by Sequoia as well. Sequoia did a great job with this release as it's a beautiful CD. Jen Gad is a genius!