After a remarkable 'The Quest' released a year ago (see here ), it's the turn of 'Ancient Winter' to see the light at the end of 2019. For this new opus, the symphonic metal side which was less present on 'The Quest' has completely disappeared and 'Leah McHenry' offers us 8 compositions in the greatest tradition of Celtic song by surrounding herself with artists playing acoustic instruments and traditional starting with the Englishman 'Troy Donockley' who was already on the adventure in the previous album and who is well known to fans of symphonic metal because he frequently collaborates with 'Nightwish' but also 'Anna Murphy', the ex 'Eluveitie' who created the group 'Cellar Darling' (see here). Inevitably, the compositions are all tinged with traditional Celtic folk with high quality production.
'Light of the World' begins the album in a calm and refined atmosphere in which the soft and beautiful voice of 'Leah' is accompanied by the acoustic instruments, then, the title grows with the electric instruments and the drums to finish in the sweetness as it had started, then 'Light of the World' continues in this serenity and takes us on a journey to the sounds between east and west. With 'Upon Your Destiny', throughout the title in crescendo, 'Leah' offers us a magnificent vocal performance while restrained and filled with serenity, then, 'Redemption' begins with a captivating and intimate part in which 'Leah' is accompanied by the harp and the flute, then, gradually gains momentum and 'The Messenger' which follows, is an invitation to a peaceful journey with remarkable aerial vocalizations. It is with three traditional compositions that the album ends, first of all 'Gaudete' meaning 'Rejoice', which is the introit (Gregorian chant) of the third Sunday of Advent composed in the 16th century and which was modernized for the occasion, then 'Puer Natus' (A child is born) is another Gregorian chant from the 14th century, and finally 'Noël Nouvelet', well known by practicing Catholics to celebrate Christmas which is a popular French song dating from the end of the 15th century.
In summary, this latest album from 'Leah' is a remarkable journey into traditional music and if you like artists like 'Loreena Mc Kennitt' (see her last live here) or 'Rainbow's Night' (see review here), 'Ancient Winter' is made for you... | |
