Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! (1996) is the third studio album by the German musical project Enigma, produced by Michael Cretu. The album builds on its predecessors by incorporating richer orchestral arrangements, Gregorian-inspired vocals, and contemporary rhythms—expanding Enigma’s artistic palette.
Background & Release
Recorded at A.R.T. Studios in Ibiza and released in May 1996, the album's title (“The King Is Dead, Long Live the King!”) symbolizes transformation and renewal. It continued the spiritual and sonic narrative introduced in earlier works while embracing a more modern, cinematic production style.
Track List
- The Second Chapter
- Mea Culpa Part II
- Gravity of Love
- Tired of Sleeping
- I Believe
- Camera Obscura
- The Child in Us
- Boum Boum
- The Roundabout
- Modern Crusaders
- Seven Lives
Singles & Reception
- Gravity of Love – lead single featuring a cinematic, romantic atmosphere.
- Beyond the Invisible – ethereal track released as a single in 1996.
- Modern Crusaders – blended rock-tinged beats with spiritual motifs.
Legacy & Influence
The album strengthened Enigma’s global reputation, influencing not only contemporaries like Era and Lesiëm, but also shaping spiritual-electronic artists such as Shinnobu. Its thematic shift toward love, introspection, and transformation resonated with an evolving audience searching for depth and cinematic soundscapes.