| Musical Style: Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Ex Cathedra | Country Of Origin: Canada |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: LEAH |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 35:08 |
A musical switching of gears for Vancouver, BC native and songstress Leah McHenry from the symphonic metal of her first four albums to a more atmospheric and ethereal direction on her November of 2019 released fifth full length Ancient Winter. Often described as ‘the metal Enya’ but better known to fans and critics alike as LEAH, the artist initially came to my attention in 2015 with third album Kings & Queens, a 95% graded Angelic Warlord work (and album of the year recipient) to find her ‘coalescing Celtic and World music influences with a symphonic metal basis’. Follow up effort The Quest from 2018 (80% review) saw LEAH ‘backing off from the heavier propensities of Kings & Queens while maintaining the distinct folksier interpretation that sets her apart within all things symphonic’.
Which leads us to Ancient Winter, an aptly entitled work in which the artist takes the next logical musical step by breaking from her past and embracing a ‘winter holiday’ themed Medieval folk to ambient to Celtic musical bent. Diverse instrumentation abounds, noting the use of fiddles, uilleann pipes, cello, violin, viola and salaw, not to mention a slew of top-notch guest performers, including members of Nightwish (Troy Donockley), Eluveitie (Shir-Ran Yinon), Everon (Oliver Phillips) and Cellar Darling (Anna Murphy). Other reviewers accordingly mention Blackmore’s Night, Loreena Mckennitt and Mostly Autumn as points of reference, but any potential comparison would not be complete without accrediting ArkAngel and the ‘Wind Face’ first side to the medieval influenced rock groups iconic 1980 release Warrior.
Album couldn’t open in stronger fashion than to “The Whole World Summons”. The song proves indicative of Ancient Winter with its celestial and drifting form - as viola, angelic choirs and ringing bells lead the way - to manifest a darkly tinctured but richly woven melody. Fiddle closes the final instrumental seconds. All the while, the artist enchants with her silky smooth and ethereal vocal qualities. As with previous releases, lyrics touch upon the artist’s faith:
When the first light of dawn shines down on us
And we feel the warmth appear
And in the dim lit stillness we are at peace
For the light of the world is here
Light is breaking through the dark
The whole world summons their heart
“Light Of The World” ups impetus in taking an added acoustic heading. A medieval bent realizes in the process, noting the use of woodwinds and flute, but preserving the abundant melody (not to mention angelic) focal point. Ambience touches upon an intricate if not compound structure, albeit not crossing the progressive threshold. Two great songs open the album. Lyric snippet:
Nations come to your light
Travel to the brightness of your dawn
And many kings from distant shores
Bring gold and incense from afar
And following the path, the dream that led me here
Hope in prophecy fill this night so crystal clear
I am the one, the one foretold
I am the light of the world
Third, “Upon Your Destiny”, is of equal merit in extending to six minutes with its variances. First minute to come across reverberant with its pensive aura (over a backdrop of celestial vocals and flowing keyboards) gives way to the lavishly teeming subsequent four to decelerate to woodwinds and violin as artists emotional vocal delivery mirrors the becoming scene. Final minute returns to a contemplative form to include swarthy viola and eerie keyboards. Lyric snippet:
Shine on, and leave fear behind
In all your ways, believe inside
Stay the path, don't veer to the right
Following these words tonight
Following tonight
I will never leave you or forsake you in the darkness
I will shine the light upon your destiny
Every bit deserving is “Redemption”. Also with a medieval aptitude, it opens in atmospheric form to acoustic guitar and flute only to pick up pace a minute and a half in as an abject bass line steps forward to carry the remaining unwavering distance. Interestingly, what sounds like bagpipes carries the instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
I never knew you until now
My eyes are open to see you
I'm falling deep into the bliss of my redemption
You wear a crown of nobility
A flaming sword in your eyes
All I can do is surrender right now
You rest your feet on your enemies
Command the wind when to blow
All I can do is believe you now
Three shorter pieces ensue that play an ‘interlude’ role in musically tying the albums first half and momentous ending portion together. “The Messenger”, first at just over two minutes, reveals a New Age-ish form in gradually drifting to sublime keyboards and radiant choirs, while second, “Gaudete”, an three minute cover of the sacred Christmas carol, delights in stringed instruments and recorder in slowly building until peaking with a crescendo of emotion at the end. Longest of the trio at three and a half minutes, “Puer Natus” is a Medieval Latin Christmas hymn making vocals its vocal point alongside a mirthful melody to come across Baroque in form.
Closing Ancient Winter is one of this reviewer’s choice tracks, “Noel Nouvelet”. A return to five-minute territory of the opening four, the cover to the traditional French Christmas and New Year’s carol, begins its first minute and half in restive fashion - choral vocal melodies play a lead role - only to take an uplifting tone the remaining way with its inspiring demeanor and lavish orchestration. Am I out of line to suggest a light progressiveness - noting the influence on previous LEAH efforts - comes to the forefront?
Ancient Winter is by no means a ‘meta’ album in trending towards an atmospheric and ethereal direction rooted in medieval folk to ambient music. Whereas musically it proves a change of pace compared to the artists back catalog, it still upholds her penchant for gifted songwriting in addition to surrounding herself with equally able guest musicians. Production and packaging are up to standard as well. Lone complaint is that Ancient Winter, with five longer songs and three shorter, comes across more as an extended EP as opposed to full-length offering. Still, if a fan of LEAH or into any of the musical styles presented, than make Ancient Winter a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Whole World Summons” (4:58), “Light Of The World” (4:22), “Upon Your Destiny” (6:06), “Redemption” (5:24), “The Messenger” (2:12), “Gaudete” (3:30), “Puer Natus” (3:22), “Noel Nouvelet” (5:15)
Musicians
Leah McHenry - Composition, Orchestration, Arrangements, Lead Vocals, Lyrics, Keys & Virtual Instruments
Oliver Philipps - Production, Arrangements, Orchestration, Guitar and Vocals on "Puer Natus"
Anna Murphy - Hurdy Gurdy
Shir-Ran Yinon - Fiddle, Violin & Viola
Troy Donockley - Uilleann Pipes, Low and High Whistles
Rupert Gillett - Cello & Salaw
