Helium Vola + Omnis Mundi Creatura - Helium Vola

a tale of two worlds

charmed by the cover and mysterious name and hearing of their association to e nomine, i was instantly attracted to helium vola. the version i bought had 2 CDs, one, the single for Omnis Mundi Creatura and two the original self-titled release seen above. The single was exactly what i had anticipated; a strong beat that makes you tap your feet and nod your head, a latin choir-based chorus that chants a catchy melody, and mostly satisfactory programming/engineering. however, most of the rest of the release is not like this.

in fact, it seems divided into two worlds. one, the enchantingly beautiful world of 'les habitants du soleil,' 'du bist min' and 'bergirlich in dem hertzen min;' and two, the bizarre, darker world of 'fama tuba,' 'sancte sator' and 'gegen den teufel.' the former reminds one of a stroll through a sunlit monastery courtyard, while the latter invokes a clandestine and rather dark, cultic ritual. this rather dichotomous approach is more consolidated toward the end of the CD with 'do tagte es' which more or less combines the two worlds. 'selig' is more playful than the rest of the CD, and makes a great closing track; probably my favorite of the whole album.

both worlds utilize archaic german vocals, mostly for their magnificently gifted female vocalist, and latin for their darker male soloists and choir. the cd is quite unique in its approach and execution. much more serious than corvus corax, yet not the deathknell that is sopor aeternis, the album certainly makes for an interesting journey.

the album gets four stars from me because i favor the ethereal beauty of 'begirlich in dem hertzen min' so much over the likes of 'gegen einen teufel,' a track i keep finding myself having to fast forward through. it interrupts the atmosphere set by the previous tracks in a most unwelcome way. the darkness of it i suppose is intended to add some variety to an otherwise excellent CD. i would have opted for another track like selig; long, catchy, beautiful, beautiful...

by the way, the man behind helium vola is Michael Popp, also the man behind Deine Lakaien and of course the now ever-so popular Qntal.

Wow/Awesome/that's what I call music

Exquisitely beautiful dance inducing dark penetrating music.

I bought this unheard (though I had heard a few 30 second clips of another Helium Vola CD), thanks partially to the two previous reviewers.

I loved The Inhabitants of the Sun (I am sorry, I do not have the CD with me, and I cannot remember how to spell it), but the entire album is gorgeous. It surges and swells and dips - it reminds me of a thick, dark slow moving, perhaps, liquid.

It is intense and enters you

Fantastic Vocals, Thrilling Instrumentals

This CD is absolutely fantastic, the vocals harmonize beautifully. It is something of a mix between Dark Techno, Gothic, Opera, and Chanting. Definitely one to own, pleasant enough for the whole family, it will exceed your expectations.
1. Funerali -- intro track, fairly nonexistant.
2. Les Habitants Du Soleil -- rather slow song, the vocals really stand out well. 3/5
3. Omnis Mundi Creatura -- one of the best tracks on the CD, fast, great beat, a remix cd of this song is included 5/5
4. Begirlich In Dem Hertzen Min -- slow, sad song, beautiful, nearly brings tears to the eyes 5/5
5. Je Chante Par Couverture -- medium paced, mezmerizing song 4/5
6. Gegen Einen Teufel -- slower, bassy male chanting song 4/5
7. Fama Tuba -- faster, very punchy track, quite different from the majority of the disc 4/5
8. Losepruch -- slow, female vocal, brings a snowstorm to mind 4/5
9. Sancte Sator -- faster, great beat, fantastic use of instrumentalization, slightly trancey 5/5
10. Du Bist Min -- slow, this track is not mentioned, but is on the CD; my favorite track on the disc, spectacular 6/5
11. Du Tagte Ez -- slower, tenor & bass chanting, nice bassline, another excellent track, almost magical 5/5
12. Les Habitants Du Soleil (Reprise) -- slightly longer, improved version of the second track 4/5
13. Luvenes -- I've no idea; this track is somewhat strange ?/5
14. Selig -- medium/fast, long, fantastic song, excellent rhythm, catchy beat, you'll be singing Selig all day long 5/5

Fantastic German pop

This male-female duo from Germany has made a fantastic record that combines opera and classical influences with German electro and industrial. "Omnis Mundi Creatura" combines a gorgeous orchestration and powerful vocal arrangement with a marching drum machine that propels the song at a nice pace. "Selig" sounds like a demented Christmas song. My personal favorite is "Sancte Stor," which sounds like nothing I've ever heard before; clashing vocal pitches ride alongside a panic-inducing industrial rhythm, and the results are phenomenal. If you like stuff like Front 242, Haujobb and Deine Lakaien, GET THIS NOW!