Released in 1991 by Virgin Schallplatten GmbH.
MCMXC a.D. was somewhat of a blessing for Cretu. He had previously released several albums under his real name, but was now in a situation where he felt all dried up and out of new ideas. He then developed a creative philosophy that should prove to be the beginning of something great: "Old rules and habits must be rejected and dismissed, so that something new can be created.". The Enigma music project was born, and the first album immediately garnered attention from everywhere in the world due to it's unique style. Many people still consider MCMXC a.D. the best Enigma album created.
This album established many things that should prove to be recurring on the later albums as well. It's a very sensual album, spiced up with samples of several Gregorian chants, odd sounds and samples. It also introduced the now famous piece of music which in one form or another tends to begin and end all albums released under the project. In a stroke of genius, Cretu who was fresh out of ideas had gone and created a sensational album.
Cretu is credited as Curly M.C. on the album. One of the reasons for this is that he didn't want people to know who had created the music, but due to the attention and success of the album it became impossible to hide. Two other people contributed to realizing the album on a practical level. One of them is David Fairstein who has also worked on later albums, and the other is Frank Peterson who is credited as F. Gregorian. Peterson was later ousted from the Enigma project after a brush with Cretu over some music samples he had used for his other work without permission.
H.P. Uertz painted the picture used on the cover.
Tracklist - Click for Lyrics
2:08
The Voice of Enigma
4:15
Sadeness (Principles of Lust)
5:49
Find Love (Principles of Lust)
3:48
Sadeness Reprise (Principles of Lust)
4:29
Callas Went Away
5:53
Mea Culpa
2:45
The Voice & The Snake
4:27
Knocking on Forbidden Doors
2:19
Way to Eternity
4:15
Hallelujah
4:31
The Rivers of Belief
