Omnia Opera ~ England

Red Shift (1997)

What separated Omnia Opera from the others of the scene (and it should be noted the band themselves state they weren't really part of the movement much at all) is they were one of the very few, if not the only one, to actually be heavier than the Ozrics. Omnia Opera were an aggressive bunch with thrashing guitars in the Hawkwind style, mixed with the ripping solos that Ed Wynne and crew are also noted for. While their debut received positive reviews, Red Shift was generally panned. In retrospect, their sophomore follow up is no less worthy of recognition. Where some of the dissatisfaction came from, I’m sure, is the inclusion of techno elements, which many felt was the direction that killed the festival movement itself. Delerium Records seemed to almost insist every band on their roster at least incorporate some bits of electronica into their albums (note: Omnia Opera has exonerated the label, stating they had nothing to do with Omnia Opera’s choice of utilizing techno). Now I personally see the rejection of Red Shift as more of an audience’s turning-the-back on the new electronica styles being force fed to them, verse an actual objective viewpoint of the album itself. I suggest everyone who has a fondness for this style to give it at least one more listen.

Ownership: 1997 Delerium (CD). Booklet with lyrics and a photo of the band. Acquired in 1997.

1997; 10/8/07; 6/1/20 (review) 

Omnia Opera (1993)

With Omnia Opera, we get a glimpse into the possible scenario of what would Ozric Tentacles have sounded like had they used Hawkwind as a blueprint rather than Hillage era Gong. Omnia Opera is a seriously heavy bunch, with over-distorted riffing guitars leading the charge. But they're also quite cosmic, with early Pink Floyd style build ups, wordless voices, psychedelic ambient guitars - and finally ferocious climaxes with wild fuzz guitar soloing similar to Ed Wynne and crew. Best tracks are 'The Awakening' and 'Each Day', but every track is a winner.

Ownership: 1993 Delerium (CD). Acquired in 1993.

1993; 6/11/12 (review)

 

Nothing Is Ordinary (2011)

Here is Omnia Opera's long anticipated reunion, an album that was released well over a year after being first announced. Reunion albums are always a dicey proposition. It seems very few bands from the 1970s could ever get it right. As if they never understood why they were popular in the first place. But 1980s groups fared much better, and I think that's because of the circumstances from which they came about. In many cases, bands in the 1980s languished in the underground for years and years, with only their ardent supporters in attendance along with a dedicated-to-the-music-genre magazine press. Heavy metal groups were the most prolific, but on a lesser scale space rock, psychedelic, and progressive rock bands toiled in the small dirty clubs, and sold a small amount of LPs and later CDs to their fan base. Other than in the metal genre, the sales were too small to make a living at it, unless one wanted to remain a pauper their entire life.

With that in mind, Omnia Opera has really set the bar high for reunion attempts. The band went all out with a sprawling 2 CD set. Generally that's not appealing to me - presenting far too much music - and usually far too much filler. Two hour CDs are like three hour movies - they can be a slog to get through. Well I have good news for all of you here: There's not a moment wasted through the entire duration. It's as if they had spent the last 14 years putting it together. All the trademark sounds of classic Omnia Opera are on display: Heavy psychedelic guitars, thundering bass, active drumming, impassioned male and female vocals, and of course the cosmic keyboards. All the tracks are thought out, and present plenty of twists and turns to keep it exciting.

Ownership: 2011 Umbilical (2xCD). Large heavy duty digipak, resembling a mini-LP. My copy also comes with a postcard that was addressed to me by the band. Acquired in 2012.

2/19/12 (review); 8/31/19

Omnia Opera also released a handful of obscure tapes that have yet to see a CD or LP reissue.

2/19/12 (new entry)