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The name of latest album by the Dutch Paganfolk band Omnia leaves very little to the imagination. Earth Warrior is an album dedicated to the fight to protect and save the Earth. This resonates not only in the music and the lyrics on the album but also in the fact that part of the proceeds from this album will be donated to Sea Shepherd, an organization that the members of Omnia hold very close to their hearts.

The first song Weltschmerz, which can be translated as Worldpain or World fatigue, immediately sets the tone for the intent of this album. A beautiful deep piano song, it definitely makes you focus your attention on the album.

It is followed by Earth Warrior which through the lyrics certainly calls everyone to fight for the Earth. The reggae sounds, being a new sound for Omnia, succeed on drawing you in to the song as well as the cause. Daphyd’s typical didge sounds almost sound like the animals of the world add their voices to the song. Being the title track of the album, it could easily be a soundtrack for Sea Shepherd itself.



Next up is Babu Bawu. Starting with what feels like a prayer, followed by Steve’s bawu, this song moves towards the tribal sound that we love and want from Omnia.

This tribal feel continues in Kokopelli, a song rooted in Native American lore. The opening of the song feels like opening the door to a mysterious realm. Once inside we find vibrant dancing in a near perfect animalistic world. The chants and flutes, as well as Rob’s pounding percussion complete a pagan party.

Crazy Man has a sound that steps slightly away from the traditional Omnia sound into more of an 80’s old-school rock and roll type song. But as we might expect, Omnia takes this sound, rolls with it and makes it their own.

Triceltika. What to say about this track? A beautiful harp piece by Jenny that slowly but steadily evolves into so much more. As the song progresses a story starts to unfold, told in sounds rather than words. This song will be a delight to hear live, though I can’t imagine how I would actually react to it. Stand still with closed eyes, swaying to the sounds to let the music flow through me, or move to the front of the crowd to add my motion to the energy of the song.

Epona, a song about the Celtic horse Goddess, is an older part of their repertoire. They have played this over the years, but it feels like an almost completely new song. Omnia have not just dusted off an old song, but polished it into something very “Omnia of today”. The power and energy make the blood boil and the song is a feast to the heart and soul.

With the next song Black House, Omnia displays yet another musical style. The deeper sounds and Steve’s raw voice draw you in to this dark dwelling which feels like an escape from every day troubles. Jenny’s “harp from hell” gives a very surprising refreshing effect to the song.

Mutant Monkey is of course the name that Omnia gives human beings and this song is about humans and their approach to the earth. A satirical protest completely in line with the theme of the album, with rhythms and sounds that lift you up and make you want to do some crazy dancing.

Cernunnos, the Lord of Beast, in the form of Herne the Hunter is the leader of the wyld hunt. It is therefore only fitting that this song is a new and improved rendition of Omnia’s song The Wyld Hunt. When you close your eyes it’s very easy to envision yourself running through the thick forest to the sounds of this song.

The next song, Noodle the Poodle, is a song that Omnia performs on stage a lot, and it’s just pure fun. Bluegrass country and western style and very energetic, it certainly gets the crowds moving, and even on CD it’s almost impossible to resist the urge to yell “Yeehaw” at the top of your lungs along with the song.

Call Me Satan might be seen as slightly controversial, as many pagans have been called Satanists while they are no such thing. However, in this song it seems that Omnia states that Satan is merely one name given to a deity that has had many names in the past and is only one of many. Though the song itself has a very constant vibe the musical style varies as the song progresses, giving me the feeling that they want to communicate that although the figure they sing of has changed over time the underlying thought remains the same. Musically enticing, with thought provoking lyrics, this song actually might be considered very typical for Omnia.

Free Bird Fly starts off with a very down and blue feeling but that quickly changes. The vocals, the piano play, the rhythm, the children’s choir, everything soon starts to lift you up and motivates you to take the steps to make everything better. Maybe the song was written for an actual bird, but the metaphor grips me and gives me goosebumps, and I do believe this song can actually help people.

Lament for a Blackbird is a very emotional and soft instrumental harp piece, where Jenny’s amazing harp skills are only accompanied by birdsong. For an album directed at the earth and with so much power, it’s a great way to bring you back and to let you digest it all.

This album is one with a familiar feel, as all songs on Earth Warrior are unmistakably Omnia songs but at the same time it is also very surprising. The variation in musical styles from one song to the next is astonishing, yet it all does fit together as one. The deep love of, and reverence for nature that the band holds, shines through in almost every song of this album and certainly lights a spark in the heart of the listener. I have so far not had the chance to hear much of this album live, but I really can’t wait. I’m very curious to find out what the post-album addition of the musical talent of Satrya brings to the sound, but I’m convinced it will be awesome.

If I were to be forced to choose a favorite song from this album I would definitely have a hard time at it, due to the very high level of the entire album. However, I think that my love for all things Celtic, the harp and emotion in music would lead me to pick Triceltika. As said before, I really want to hear this song live and feel the energy of it coming off the stage.

In conclusion, Earth Warrior is a brilliant album that lives up not only to the reputation of an experienced band like Omnia, but also to it’s name. It truly is the soundtrack for anyone that wants to fight for the earth.