LEAH – The Glory and the Fallen (Ex Cathedra Records)
Monday, 19th February 2024
It’s rare, and I do mean rare, that symphonic metal of any kind moves my needle…until now. LEAH has a new album in The Glory and the Fallen, her sixth of her fruitful career and I dunno. Something about this one just clicks for me. The record features a boatload of guest musicians well respected in the industry, including Mark Jensen of Epica, Timo Somers (ex-Delain), Sander Zoer (Delain), and produced by Oliver Philipps of Everon and Phantasma.
The vocals are not at all overdone, a pitfall of much of this genre, and the guitars are quite fiery at times. That much is evident with the album opener “Archangel”. The intro to “Unshakable” gives way to a medieval sound and tasty guitar solo. A definite winner for me was/is “Dream Voyage.” Also, “Revive” will have any music lover worth his or her salt scrambling to hit that repeat button. Featuring a guest vocal appearance from Syr, this is one of the album’s best. Elsewhere, “Wings of Time” cradles you in its soothing tone where “Victory” feels like something that plays after a great battle on a majestic hill of green. Leah’s daughters Elektra, Victory, and Geneva also make vocal appearances to enhance the family / community aspect of this effort.
All told the record is a winner for this guy, and I’m sure many fans of the genre will no doubt feel the same.
Standout Tracks: “Victory”, “Dream Voyage”, “Revive”, “Glow”.
