The Enigma of Life is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and their second with the Spanish vocalist Ailyn. It was released on 21 January 2011 through Nuclear Blast.[6] The album was mastered at Finnvox Studios in Finland. The download-only single, "The End of It All", was released on 21 December 2010.

The Enigma of Life
Studio album by
Released21 January 2011 (Europe)
15 February 2011 (North America)
RecordedJuly–November 2010 (Audio Avenue Studios/Sound Suite Studios)
GenreSymphonic metal
Length54:35
LanguageEnglish, Spanish
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerMorten Veland
Sirenia chronology
The 13th Floor
(2009)
The Enigma of Life
(2011)
Perils of the Deep Blue
(2013)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[1]
Allmusic[2]
Metal Storm6.0[3]
Revolver2/5[4]
Sputnikmusic2.0[5]

Track listing

edit

All songs written by Morten Veland.

No.TitleLength
1."The End of It All"04:31
2."Fallen Angel"03:59
3."All My Dreams"04:42
4."This Darkness"04:00
5."The Twilight in Your Eyes"04:00
6."Winter Land"03:55
7."A Seaside Serenade"05:53
8."Darkened Days to Come"04:22
9."Coming Down"04:38
10."This Lonely Lake"03:33
11."Fading Star"04:46
12."The Enigma of Life"06:16
Total length:54:35
Japanese edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Oscura Realidad" ("Dark Reality") (Japanese edition bonus track, Spanish version of "This Darkness")04:31
14."The Enigma of Life" (acoustic, Japanese edition bonus track)05:51
15."Fallen Angel" (acoustic, Japanese edition bonus track)03:45
Total length:68:42
Exclusive bonus version
No.TitleLength
13."Oscura Realidad" ("Dark Reality" – Spanish version of "This Darkness")04:31
14."El Enigma de la Vida" ("The Enigma of Life" (acoustic) – Spanish version of "The Enigma of Life")05:51
15."El Enigma de la Vida" (iTunes exclusive bonus track)06:16
Total length:71:13
North American Edition Bonus Tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Oscura Realidad" ("Dark Reality" – Spanish version of "This Darkness") 
14."El Enigma de la Vida" ("The Enigma of Life" (acoustic) – Spanish version of "The Enigma of Life") 
  • "The End of It All" has a video.

Personnel

edit

Sirenia

edit

Session musicians

edit

Additional notes

edit
  • Spanish translations of "El Enigma de la Vida" and "Oscura Realidad" by Ailyn
  • "The Enigma of Life" was recorded in Audio Avenue Studios (Tau, Norway), additional recordings of choirs, acoustic guitars and violin were recorded in Sound Suite Studios (Marseille, France)
  • Written, composed, arranged, produced, mixed and engineered by Morten Veland
  • Pre-produced in Audio Avenue Studios (Tau, Norway)
  • Mastered by Mika Jussila, Finnvox Studios
  • A+R by Jaap Waagemaker
  • Cover artwork & design by Gustavo Sazes
  • Band photos by Patric Ullaeus

Charts

edit
Chart (2011) Peak
position
German Albums Chart[7] 73
Swiss Albums Chart[7] 53

References

edit
  1. ^ Chad Bowar. "Sirenia The Enigma Of Life Review – Review of The Enigma Of Life by Sirenia". About. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Allmusic review".
  3. ^ "Sirenia – The Enigma Of Life review – Metal Storm". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Review: Sirenia – The Enigma Of Life - Hard Rock & Heavy Metal News - Music Videos -Golden Gods Awards - revolvermag.com". Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Sirenia – The Enigma Of Life (album review ) – Sputnikmusic". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  6. ^ Blabbermouth.net. SIRENIA: New Album Track Listing, Cover Artwork, Release Date Revealed
  7. ^ a b "Sirenia – the Enigma of Life – ultratop.be". Ultratop.
edit