Year : 2019
Style : Symphonic Metal , Female Vocals
Country : Canada
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 165 mb
Bio:
From the coast of British Columbia, Canada, auburn-haired symphonic metal artist LEAH is drawing attention from all over the globe. Drawing from Celtic and world music influences such as Clannad and Enya to European symphonic and progressive metal influences, LEAH creates something magical and refreshing. Her debut self-released album "Of Earth & Angels" received international critical acclaim, including landing on "The Best Symphonic Metal Album" Metalstorm Awards for 2012. Leah has always possessed a firm sense of her identity and avoided any cliché that would define her by society’s expectations.She began singing during her early teenage years, and experimented until she found her unique voice. Upon discovering Celtic music and European symphonic metal, Leah realized she was home; these were the genres that resonated with her soul. Songwriting followed thereafter as Leah found comfort and strength in her musical self-expression. Leah’s hypnotizing voice has drawn comparisons to Enya, Delain, and Loreena McKennitt as she can elegantly slip between the soothingly ethereal, the grippingly powerful, and lyrical folk styles with fluid ease.Her music is equally diverse. Braiding a hypnotising fusion of celestial vocals and sparkling strings, rippling piano, galloping drums and sharp guitar work, she leads her listeners on a passionate journey through haunting sonic landscapes. Her poetic lyrics draw from the inkwells of fantasy, passion, tragedy, and folklore, telling stories that are as arrestingly beautiful as the music. It is not by mere fancy or chance that Leah’s music has a medieval flavor and Celtic overtones: Leah has Irish and Scottish blood in her veins and her heritage can be traced back to the ancient highlands of the British Isles. Innovating with her creative imagination, experience, and her Gaelic ancestry, Leah crafted songs that would eventually be recorded for her first album, Of Earth and Angels.Given Leah’s streak of rugged individualism, it should be no surprise that she recorded and produced her first album under her own independent label, Ex Cathedra Records. Lyrically, the album blended earthly tales of struggle with the inspiration of angelic folklore. It also defined Leah’s unique sound: a dichotomy of seraphic melody and symphonic metal, steeped in Celtic influences.The road was not easy, however. As a young mother committed to raising and educating her children at home, Of Earth and Angels was two years in the making from start to finish. However, the long journey was worth it. Released in June of 2012, Of Earth and Angels was an immediate success as the reaction from both the listeners and the media was universally positive. Fueled only by word of mouth and social media, listeners became enamored with the auburn-haired singer and her musical vision. Though Leah did not have any major-label support to promote her album, her grass-roots popularity spread the earth like wildfire.Within months, Leah transitioned from an untested newcomer to an internationally acclaimed artist. However, this meteoric success also plunged her into the turbulent atmosphere of the metal world. She found herself on unfamiliar terrain as her homegrown music faced professional critics, industry insiders, and the global scrutiny of symphonic metal fans who compared Leah’s music to long-established artists. Yet, like gold tested by fire, Leah emerged with validated purity: Of Earth and Angels earned multiple awards, coveted placement on many “Best Of the Year” lists, critical acclaim by reviewers, airplay by radio stations, and a massive international following of devoted fans.Not one to close the creative spigot for too long, Leah recorded a three-track EP in time for Christmas, 2012, entitled Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. This EP interpreted three traditional Christmas carols in symphonic metal form.During the long months of 2013, Leah returned to the songwriting table and composed a new EP called Otherworld. This EP further explores the Celtic tones of Of Earth and Angels, combining ethereal vocals with a balanced mix of hypnotically peaceful melodies and galloping rockers that transports the listener to a prior era. Each song has a poignant story to tell, ranging from issues of loss, struggle, and aspiration. Otherworld also marks the first time Leah has collaborated with a guest vocalist. The legendary Eric Peterson of Testament and DragonLord provided his signature vocals on one track, “Dreamland.” The EP was further enriched by the talented music producer Christian “Moschus” Moos at Spacelab Studios and the famed MA. Jan “Örkki” Yrlund of Darkgrove Design, who produced the stunning album art.In a time when the symphonic metal world is overpopulated by homogeneous newcomers and formulaic musical recipes, Leah is a fresh Irish Sea breeze of originality that captures the listener’s attention, enchants the heart and electrifies the imagination. She continues her songwriting, remains in touch with her fan base, and looks forward to musical projects in the future. Leah is not about to rest: her story has just begun!
Album:
The name Leah should be a familiar one in symphonic metal circles, especially for those who have frequented social media where her efforts to help promote new artists via her association with Savvy Musician Academy are heavily visible. Often referred to as the Enya of symphonic metal, she brings a uniquely nuanced and eclectic take on things that arguably blur the lines where said metal sub-genre ends and a number of distantly related modes of sonic communication begin. One would be remiss not to mention the parallels that this projects dreamy anthems share with the likes of Blackmore’s Night, Loreena McKennit and Heather Findlay’s past work with Mostly Autumn when trying to nail down Leah’s unique blend of eastern and western music, not to mention the wide array of musicians who have collaborated in bringing Leah’s music to the recorded medium. As the decade draws to its inevitable close and the first chills of winter grace this November’s eve “Ancient Winter”, this outfit’s fifth studio offering promises an epic listening experience where olden landscapes emerge for modern eras to behold.In contrast to much of Leah’s previous output, this album foregoes any metallic bluster in favor of a wholly atmospheric experience, drawing heavily upon the orchestra and a number of prominent folk instruments to provide the foundation upon which the crooning brilliance of the vocals flutters in the deep. It is difficult to experience the pristine and droning ambience of dreamy ballads such as “The Messenger” and the opening passage of “Noel Nouvelet” and not be reminded of the romantic and poignant brilliance that was the soundtrack of Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of The Ring. It is a fitting analogy given the lofty musical journey that this album that this album offers in a mere 35 minute duration, and even the two minute duration of the former aforementioned song leaves the listener with a vivid picture of a vast, snow-covered country with a magical tale to be told. While the latter and closing song sort of strikes against this album’s intent to be more than a holiday album given its roots as a Christmas carol, the tune’s Renaissance roots, chanting demeanor and the arrangement achieved here finds a very fitting addition to what is otherwise a more generalized celebration of the winter season.Though largely comprised of an atmospheric character, this album is also a dynamic experience that transitions seamlessly through a variety of moods, all the while still maintaining an air of tranquility and poise. The opening musical offering “The Whole World Summons” is a classic example of this concept of building up to an eventual celebration of sound, starting on a choral chant with a humble orchestral accompaniment, and eventually cycling through a steady folk rock stride with bass and drums leading the way and a barrage of Celtic pipes and flutes, becoming highly reminiscent of a Nightwish ballad, minus the raucous electric guitars. Other chapters in this grand seasonal storybook such as “Light Of The World” and “Redemption” introduce a glorious hybridization of Mid-eastern musical ideas and Celtic folk music, underscoring the intermingling of cultures throughout history that has brought about the phenomenon of western Christendom, while more western centered balladry such as “Gaudete” establish a riveting result through a highly dynamic use of orchestral pomp and splendor.It can’t be stressed enough that while Leah’s metal credentials are well established, this is not a metal album in any sense of the word, though it is something that can be used as an occasional respite from the impact-based aggression that typifies said music. This is something more along the lines of a Celtic rock and ambient affair that dovetails with a number of popular film scores in the high fantasy genre over the past couple decades. It will no doubt carry a heavy degree of appeal for steadfast fans of Nightwish, Within Temptation and Epica, but it will no doubt find its core target audience among those who have been regular fans of Enya’s output over the years. It can be regarded as a holiday album to accompany the obligatory Christmas tunes that will no doubt be dominating terrestrial radio at the onset of Black Friday, but it offers a far different experience than even the most elaborate rearrangements of said music. It is a transcendent offering in every sense of the word, one that leaves behind the commercial madness of the modern world at this time of year for something closer to the devotional music that would have typified a time that has now been all but forgotten
Line Up:
Leah (Leah McHenry) - Vocal
Troy Donockley (Nightwish) - Tin Whistle, Uilleann Pipes
Anna Murphy - Hurdy-gurdy
Shir-Ran Yinon - Fiddle, Viola
Tracklist:
01. The Whole World Summons
02. Light of the World
03. Upon Your Destiny
04. Redemption
05. The Messenger
06. Gaudete
07. Puer Natus
08. Noel Nouvelet
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
