Ana KiaRa – “Symphony of Rage” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Recently, I was fortunate enough to have Anna KiaRa, the former lead vocalist for the Russian band Imperial Age, send me her latest solo album, Symphony of Rage. This is Ana’s latest studio album and it will be released on June 5^th. It is an amazing album of symphonic metal music.

Anna KiaRa is a singer/songwriter from Russia. She is best known for her seven years as the lead vocalist for Imperial Age.

Instead of one band, Anna KiaRa now has two bands. Her European line-up includes: Maarten Jung – who plays guitar; Daan Winkelhorst – who plays drums; and Joline Vergouwen – who plays bass.

Then, there is her Russian line-up, including: Paul Maryashin, her husband, who plays guitar, and sings backing vocals, and arrangements; Dmitry Bazanov – who plays bass; and Semen Starshinov – who plays drums.

The bands only play live on stage. They do not participate in the composing process.

Beyond her Russian background, Anna KiaRa is now considered an international artist. She works closely with a teams from the Netherlands and Sweden, and is open to collaborating with artists from around the world.

Anna KiaRa’s Symphony of Rage, opens with the first single and music video off the album, “Blood of Heroes”. It may be the best song on the album. It opens with soft acoustic and electric guitar, before the background orchestration, bass and drums join in. Anna KiaRa sings softly at first, then full on soprano, “In different worlds, in different lands. Their names have been living in times. Names of those who never spared themselves. Giving their lives in battlefields”. Some excellent instrumental rhythms build the soundscape as Ana sings, “In a sacred stone there’s a mighty sword. Ready to cut off enemies’ heads. But only that one can pull it off. Whose heart and blood are blazing. Blood of heroes is holy essence. Gods are keeping it in the void. And when our world will be facing the end. They will break it far away. In (a) distant world, where there’s no revenge. Where souls are pure and innocent. Where beauty and virtue rule everything. Sadness is no longer a scary thing. Souls are shining, spirits are rising. Proud and honor have won again. No one can turn down the destiny’s course. Heroes’ blood has saved us anew”. A powerful story of legends and battles of old and new, set to good music and Ana’s powerful voice. Just under 5 minutes of opening firepower.

She is starting with some of the best legends of history. The second song is titled, “Excalibur”, and it is almost as good as the opener. This song is close to 4 and half minutes of legendary power. Full of brass and heavy drums at the opening. Then, beautiful flute. You can envision yourself there in the castle – like imagery from the age of kings and queens/castles and knights. Ana sings, “Where are all knights, all glory days. All the honor and privilege? Mighty sorcerers, warriors. All (are) forgotten and gone. Give me back my Avalon. Where I can be myself. Where people have dreams and wisdom. To get and to keep. Excalibur”. You can feel her love for early Nightwish come shining through, as well as many of the classics which inspired Edenbridge. Ana sings, “Dragons, lakes, ladies and tourneys. Swords and shields, towers, mysteries. Kings and queens on their brilliant thrones. I was there once. Your Camelot’s here. Deep in your heart, Deep in your soul. If it lives there. Then you should know. It’s never been gone”. Ana does a great job of surrounding the soundscape with the imagery and words that you need, to appreciate this song.

Uh oh! Boots walking through snowdrifts, then a pipe organ. It can only mean one thing. “She-Wolf”, has begun. Another of the best songs on the album. That pipe organ and those keyboards are masterful. The drums and heavy guitars let you know there is danger ahead. Ana sings, “You can’t live in the past, and there’s nothing new. No answer for your silent question. You don’t want to be scared, but there’s only one clue. Follow wolf’s trail through the mountain peaks. If it is a salvation you’d better run. In this world only lines keep silence. The Soul is torn apart, here’s no way out. The only answer is in the mountains. She-wolf!” A female wolf that stalks and kills her victims. They could keep those pipe organs going continuously, if it was up to me. It is one of my favorite instruments. And just like cowbell…there is never enough!

“Journey to the Stars”, is another strong lyrical story and song off this album. It opens with keyboards and orchestration before Ana begins singing, “Soft strings rise with the dawn. Light breaks a silent song. Whispers of dreams begun. On wings where hope belongs. Night colors leave the high. Marching with morning light. It’s time to say goodbye. To skies vast and bright. Melodies soar so high. Symphony reaches sky. Eternal dance we see. Through stars and galaxies. One more night here again. One song for you to play. In this realm we explore. Mysteries and lore. Crescendo’s roaring tide. With each beat hearts collide. Majestic strings commence. In epic resonance”. Great lyrics and soft keyboards and heavy metal guitars. Another solid song to keep the pace and richness of this album rising. The spacey keyboards off this album and song are fantastic.

The title song, “Symphony of Rage”, is another epic song off this album. It opens with a drum roll, then, keyboard orchestration a plenty. Ana sings with power and direction, “In crimson dawn I walk. Thinking of future. Facing hypocrisy. Removing all sutures. In crimson dawn I walk. Seeing your faces. The mist of absurdity. Fogs up the grace”. Then, the chorus, “I am the voice inside your head.

I am the dream you never had. I’ll help escape you from this cage. I am your symphony of rage!” Then, male rage/growling vocals, “The crimson dawn. You all shall fall. Only the rage. Gives you comfort. Turning the page. Writing your symphony!” It is not as bad as other metal bands I know. And you can tell it is essential to the song.

Russia is full of an “Icy Wasteland”, so Ana knows it well, and has probably walked many in her past. She can properly sing about them. The sounds of cold winds blowing and icy piano keys, punctuate the rhythm. She sings, “Through the ashes of time. Cold that you feel is real. Trying to free from the pain. You almost standing kneel. Seek salvation. Only angels cry in heaven. Crystal snow will wash endeavors. White is treating your soul. And reflecting the light. Through the prism of time. You still can feel alive. Bless your sorrow. Only angels cry in heaven. Crystal snow will wash endeavors. And free your soul!” The guitar solos are immaculate and drive emotions high. The opening and closing melodies are wonderful.

“Poetry of Despair”, is a sad song set to scorching heavy metal guitars, drums and orchestration. A tempo builds a fire of metal power. Then Ana sings, “Crossroad of life has come. Jointly with frustration. Alone and broken, almost gone. You want to feel your old intention. Poetry Of Despair – the deeper you dive. The more you’re alive. Poetry of Despair – you need to fight. Rise after decline or die”. Yes, you can imagine her desire to resist what is happening in her country as it pulverizes a peaceful nation. She sings about rising above it, “Take your pain and strongest fears. Make them work for you together. Your despair now has wings. Your duetto lasts forever!”

“Reborn”, is the story of what comes next after the resistance. Ana sings, to warm piano, “I’ve never felt so lonely. And all these years have passed away. Life is getting knotty. With every day and I’m afraid. That once I’ll try. I won’t know why. I can’t hold on. l’ve tried so hard and now. The emptiness of my soul spills. And poisons me. I’ve tried so hard and now. It’s all so useless, but I know. I’ll be reborn!” When she sings “It’s always been a pity”, it almost reminds me of George Harrison singing, “Isn’t it a Pity”. So profound and with real emotion. Ana sings, “So many dreams will not come true. Our world’s sometimes so bitty. But we go on, the show, you know. I’m here for you. And you’re for me. So let’s repeat!”

“Flight of the Valkyrie”, opens like a mass liftoff of Valkyrie. Keyboards, drums, bass, and metal guitars set the soundscape on fire as Ana sings, “Spreading her wings, flying over the battle. A Glorious maiden, a mistress of dreams. She’s taking a look and going through the rabble. Smiling without any tears as if she doesn’t hear screams. The sound of a battle brings her pleasure. A smile doesn’t leave her stern face. She’ll bring the fallen to Odin as treasure. He’ll take their hearts as a sacrifice. Valkyrie’s flying over and over. Searching for the prowess among the brave men. The battlefield will be covered with flowers. In memory of the previous and future days!” The keyboard playing on this one is so memorable.

Ana KiaRa composes everything herself. Her husband, Paul Maryashin also helps with arrangements sometimes, that’s all 🙂

I am so glad Ana KiaRa, reached out to me to review Symphony of Rage. I have been interested in Imperial Age for quite some time and have been receiving their email newsletters. Now I finally have some music from one of their members. And it is a good one! Symphony of Rage, is a wonderful symphonic metal album of stories of lore set to inspired music and the beautiful voice of Ana KiaRa. Even though I didn’t review the Russian language songs, they sound wonderful when Ana is singing her native language. I am not sure these bonus tracks will be on all albums or CDs. But if so, count yourself lucky to hear them. This is a solid performance for Ana KiaRa. I hope more musicians from around the world will collaborate with her on future projects to bring more of her global experience to life and to the stage. Symphony of Rage, the title, may reflect the struggles Ana KiaRa has overcome, but it also represents the talent she has to write music and powerful emotive lyrics. Give Symphony of Rage a listen, and like me, I think you’ll be hooked on its melodies and symphonic storytelling.

Album Track List:

Blood of Heroes – 4:56
Excalibur – 4:24
She-Wolf – 4:24
Journey to the Stars – 3:22
Symphony of Rage – 4:34
Icy Wasteland – 3:46
Poetry of Despair – 3:46
Reborn – 3:49
Flight of the Valkyrie – 4:03
Thru 15. Are Russian language lyrics versions of some of the songs off the album.

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://www.annakiaraofficial.com

https://www.facebook.com/annakiaraofficial

https://www.instagram.com/annakiaraofficial

https://annakiara.bigcartel.com