Almost five years after “Ancient Winter”, Leah returns with her fifth full-length studio album, “The Glory and the Fallen”, which showcases a more diverse musical aspect of her talent. This album not only reflects Leah’s artistic evolution but also showcases a different songwriting approach, offering listeners a compelling narrative woven through each song.
The album also features guest appearances from well-known musicians such as Mark Jansen (Epica, MaYaN) on harsh vocals on “Sleeping Giant” and “Unshakable”, Timo Somers (Arjen Lucassen, Ex Delain) on rhythm & lead guitar and bass, and Sander Zoer (Delain) on drums. Furthermore, Leah’s daughters (Elektra, Victory, and Geneva) sing on “Unshakable”, Oliver Philipps and Timo Somers do the guest vocals on “Victory” and David Celibeerian plays flutes & pipes on “Victory”, and “Dream Voyage”.
The production is powerful, modern, and clear. The album was mixed & mastered by Tom Müller at Flatliners Studio, while Oliver Philipps (Everon, Phantasma) is responsible for the orchestrations, production, and vocal arrangements. The amazing artwork was created by Giannis Nakos (Kamelot, Evergrey, and Amaranthe). The album’s overall sound is cinematic and atmospheric.
Musically, Leah goes a step further and blends symphonic metal with Celtic, folk, gothic, power metal, atmospheric, and modern metal influences. The performances are remarkable, and Leah seems to be in great shape. She sounds as good as ever, and the contributions from the celebrated musicians complement her music perfectly.
The musical diversity allows listeners to delve into a variety of tracks such as “Archangel”, “No More Fear”, “Unshakable”, “Dream Voyage”, “Revive”, “Little Stars”, “Wing of Time”, “Sleeping Giant”, “Before This War is Over”, and “Glow”. Some songs reminded me of Blackmore’s Night with a more metal edge. The lyrics are poetic without being opaque, inviting interpretation while still guiding the listener through the realms Leah envisions.
“The Glory and the Fallen” is not only a breath of fresh air in a genre that often risks stagnation, but it also demonstrates Leah’s desire to push her musical boundaries without deviating from her artistic roots. “The Glory and the Fallen” is sure to have a wider appeal than Leah’s previous releases. It is a reflection of her artistic growth and her dedication to her musical vision. It clearly demands the listener’s attention, and in a world where music often fades into the background, Leah makes sure her voice is heard, clear and resonant, above the noise. Probably Leah’s most complete release to date.
PS: The bonus ambient versions of the 8 songs are definitely worth a listen.
