Album Review: ANA-Motivated by Death

Australian Symphonic metal band ANA returned last week with the release of their first LP “Motivated by Death” via Eclipse Records.

The release comes after the success of 2023’s first EP The Art of Letting Go, which was critically acclaimed. The eight songs look at the human experience through strong pop sensibilities, heavy guitars, and haunting sounds.

Formed in 2023, the band calls themselves a “Couture rock” group. Their members include lead vocalist Anna Khristenko, guitarist Josh Mak, bassist Cody Lamb, drummer Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio, and keyboardist Mark Shi. They present themselves as masked “Super humans” as part of a comic series they created, published through Cynation Comics. Their performances and songs are inspired by this series, similar to Coheed and Cambria.

Now, let’s focus on their album Motivated by Death. This album was produced by Mak and Khristenko, with engineering by Chris Themelco (known for work with Harlott, Aerith, In Malice’s Wake, Orpheus Omega). The eight songs explore deep ideas about the human experience. If that interests you, the music features dark, atmospheric sounds and strong guitar riffs, blending with Khristenko’s beautiful vocals that mesmerise listeners right from the start.

The album begins with the energetic song “Hate Me,” a metal track aimed at the music industry. It features strong vocal melodies, catchy electronic sounds, and sharp guitar riffs, sharing feelings of anger and disappointment. Following that is “Shadow of Life,” which is lighter than the previous song but still has memorable tunes.

Photo Credit: Electrum Photography

The album features the strong song “Following the Wind,” where Krhistenko showcases her singing with a powerful guitar. It includes serious tracks like the dark, orchestral “You Loved Me More Than Myself” and the emotional “Papa,” which is a Posthumous letter to her late father. The music is impactful, with a gothic orchestra and Krhistenko’s intimate performance. The album dives into human psychology with vibrant songs, while some tracks are more personal and melancholic.

The album wraps up with stark cover of “Aerials” by System of a Down. Overall, I enjoyed this first full length by ANA. I remember ravishing praise on on my podcast, shortly after the release of their debut EP. I earmarked them as a band with potential, and “Motivated by Death” backs up my initial thoughts. They bring something different to the symphonic metal genre, with intricate symphonic patterns, dynamic vocals, and accessible songs.

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