Track Listing

1. Achillea - Prelude
2. Ragnarok - Twilight of the Gods
3. Odin’s Hill
4. The Monks of Lindisfarne
5. Cape Porcupine
6. The Seeress Prophecy (Daydreaming)
7. Land of the Elves
8. Shears from Scar
9. The Nine Worlds
10. Staraja Ladoga
11. Othila - The Rune Masters
12. Achillea - Exodus

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19841 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-02
• Number of discs: 1

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

About the Artist
Two outstanding artists of Danish origin have combined their remarkable talents to explore their common Nordic roots and bring them into an entirely new musical perspective: Writer and co-producer Jens Gad has contributed immensely to the global success of Enigma, the musical project of multi-platinum producer Michael Cretu, which has been responsible for bringing New Age sensibilities into the world of dance clubs with a succession of highly praised albums since their 1991 superhit "Sadeness". Jens, a passionate guitarist, percussionist and composer, has also worked on a number of other internationally successful projects and today spends the majority of his time producing and creating new musical visions at his state-of-the-art studio located on the beautiful Spanish island of Ibiza, hub of the wildly popular Mediterranean dance club movement.

Helene Horlyck began singing classical music at the tender age of ten. After many years of classical training, the singer, who these days lives in London, has also garnered a good deal of critical acclaim and experience with her unique brand of improvised musical stylings.

Helene and Jens both share a deep and abiding connection with their common ancestry and the mythology of their Scandinavian homeland. Thrilled by each others talents, they came together to found Achillea and co-create a sophisticated chill-out journey through "The Nine Worlds" of traditional Norse myth, carried by Helene's uniquely sensitive classical voice and Jen's trademark emotional solo guitar. There is an enchanting story behind each of these songs based on archaic poems and mythology - a world filled with enchantment and wonder.

In order to transform these fascinating stories into equally fascinating music, Jens used his far-reaching experience in music production to develop a rather unconventional process for creating this exceptional series of tracks. He encouraged Helene to improvise for hours on the most diverse musical backgrounds - partly singing in Latin and ancient Swedish - in order to develop a variety of new melodies. In this manner he successfully captured the spontaneity of her passionate singing. He then composed the music around the vocal recordings, using Helene's compelling voice like a distinctive solo instrument. The result is totally unique: crafting a magnificently alluring high-tech sound interwoven with sublime archaic melodies; extremely sensual singing is contrasted with delicately bluesy guitar playing and slow sexy grooves carry finely woven sonic textures. The music of Achillea is both stimulating and calming, enlivening yet relaxing, full of peace, beauty and magic.

Album 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

Customer Reviews

Achillea
Excellent music. You can drive to it or sleep to it. Quite versatile.

One of the best. Great vocales
I have to say that I have ALL Enigma CDs. I am definitely an Enigma lover.
I also got other CDs that were produced by Enigma contributors. This CD is a new fresh breath somewhat like Enigma but softer. The vocals are superb. All the tracks have pretty much the same melodic sound which is something I like since music puts me in a mood I don't like to be jolted out of. So this CD in his entity is melodic, soft, dreamy yet melodic and different. One of my favorite CDs.

Amazing music, truly
~I didn't actually listen to Enigma THAT much back in the day (don't throw rocks!) BUT I love this. It's other-worldy and entrancing. The vocals are definitely hypnotic and the beats are beyond anything else I've heard. And the guitar? brilliant. Le Spa Sonique is another that I was recently turned on to and you all might like it too. Angels Voices is another that has some of these amazing sounds and some other cool tracks.