OMNIA OPERA

OMNIA OPERA are a Space Rock band out of the UK. They got their name from an Arabic book on the occult where they found this name "omnia opera" which mean't "A coming together of elements". They are very much influenced by HAWKWIND and certainly the OZRIC TENTACLES came to mind often while listening to this record. Male and two female vocalists as well. The band had released a couple of recordings before being approached by Delerium Records to record two albums for them. This was the first. It contains old and new compositions.

"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.