Anilah - Warrior

Coming out just three days after the beginning of the new year, Anilah decided to shock and fascinate the masses with her first release, Warrior. Drawing inspiration from Shamanic sound practices and nature based ritual, this tribal and ambient release has found me astounded. If I could ever possibly tell you how Warrior sounds, I would have to say that it is beauty personified in music.

This is the debut release from Drea Drury, the woman behind the music, and is also a solo project. But, to honestly see everything just come together in such bliss and harmony makes you feel as if the Earth itself is singing to you. You can close your eyes and see yourself on top of the highest peak on the planet, a mystifying sight surrounding you as you let your spirit go and become something more than a man.

The EP is only four tracks, but each one is heavy hitting to your body and soul, and I do believe some sort of healing can come from this album. Rolling Thunder begins off as a great introduction track, swallowing you well deep within the uncanny presence of the music that hits your aural senses. A light humming is accompanied by synths throughout this three minute beauty, with birds chirping coming in near the end just to give it that extra oomph.

We are then hit with an almost eleven minute monstrosity. In the interview I had with the lovely lady behind the music, she stated that the title track of the album, Warrior, came out in one go with not much thought behind it. And, well, for something like this to come out so well is the working of something out of the Heavens above. Her voice hits you like that of an arcane spirit who can woo you into an impassive state when you're in an adrenaline rushed, hate filled craze. And the music that is so calm relaxes your muscles to the point where you can rest easy and let your mind wander.

However, as well in this song is the excellent guitar work of Kevin Thiessen (engineering, programming, additional synth/percussion, etc., as well as the drum work of Lee Campese. All three artists combined together have created such a wonderful song that it's hard to move on from it. I haven't heard something that has made my emotions stir in such a long while, I almost forgot what it was like to be so amazed.

Calling the Others plays out extremely ritualistic-like, serving forth lots of drums and chanting. Chimes ring in and out, all playing out in a formidable fashion. I would say that this song even invokes a sort of creepy effect, making you feel as if some sort of magical practice is going on. But it's not harmful, and rather than straying away from this, you feel the need to go towards it and discover what exactly it is. And it's just musical harmony.

And then the last and fourth track on the album would be another long one, coming in at fifteen muinutes, and being titled, Medicine Chant. Again, the pounding of the ritual drums as well as Drury's wonderful chanting work wonders on your pure essence of being. It's almost as if you're evolving as the song goes on, being enlightened to a new world far beyond standard human emotions.

And, well, when the whole EP ended, I felt as if I embarked on a journey whereupon I was lost. The music helped me guide my way through it, and I discovered something. I honestly don't know what that is, whether it's something mental that developed, or perhaps even a new spiritual pathway, but, whatever it was, I can sure say that Warrior is by far one of my favorite releases to have ever come out. It now holds a special place in my heart, and will forever and always be there. Jan 16 2014