"The Fall of a Rebel Angel" is the eighth studio album by the German musical project Enigma, released on November 11, 2016, by Republic Records. It is a concept album that follows the journey of a protagonist’s development and transformation, seeking a new and fulfilling life. The album marks Enigma’s return after an eight-year hiatus, following Seven Lives Many Faces (2008), and comes after their 2010 fan collaboration track MMX for the project’s 20th anniversary.
The album was created by Enigma's founder, Michael Cretu, who served as the primary composer and producer, along with German lyricist Michael Kunze. Cretu drew inspiration from his experience working on a musical based on the 1927 German silent film Metropolis, which led him to explore the idea of writing music around a narrative. He approached Kunze to write a story for the album, with the title The Fall of a Rebel Angel already in mind. The story is structured in 12 "chapter-like" tracks, creating a surreal narrative that blends elements of redemption, sexuality, faith, and death. One of the chapters even references the themes of Sadeness (Part I), the hit single from Enigma's debut album, connecting the new album to its earlier work.
The recording process for the album took place in 2015 and 2016, with Cretu using an all-in-one mobile digital studio called Merlin, designed specifically for his recording process. The album features guest appearances from Brazilian singer Mark Josher, Indonesian singer Anggun, and English electro-pop duo Aquilo, among others. The album's artwork, designed by Wolfgang Beltracchi, includes 12 accompanying paintings, each representing one of the album’s chapters.
The Fall of a Rebel Angel is described as a symbolic journey toward redemption, with each listener invited to define their own personal path. It combines psychedelic elements with deep, introspective themes, blending diverse cultural, literary, and religious influences throughout its narrative.
