Chantal – “Rainbow Warrior” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Cape Town, South African symphonic metal artist Chantal released her second album “Rainbow Warrior” on May 25^th of this year. Chantal describes the album as a, “Battle cry for the fearless, the dreamers and those who dare to stand for a better world.” That includes me, and I hope most of the world. So, it was easy to request a copy of this album for review. The album is available on all major digital streaming platforms.

“Rainbow Warrior,” contains ten, cinematic tracks that fuse thunderous orchestration, ethereal melodies, and commanding vocals. Chantal’s first symphonic metal album “Eye of the Storm,” was well received and had fans calling her, “the metal Mariah” and describing her sound as “truly unique,” “electrifying,” and “the voice of thunder,”

Chantal calls “Rainbow Warrior,” a “call to the bold. A hymn for the free. A vision for a new world. This album is meant to be deeply felt, not just heard – offering a journey that connects people to something beyond the physical. Inspired by the legend of the ‘Rainbow Warrior’—those destined to rise in times of darkness to heal the Earth and guide humanity back to truth—”Rainbow Warrior” explores themes of inner strength, environmental awareness, spiritual awakening, and the unyielding quest for freedom.” “This album is for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider in a world that rewards conformity,” Chantal says. “It’s about choosing love over fear, compassion over greed, and using your voice to stand for what matters—even when it shakes.”

Chantel sings all the songs, and plays the keyboards, wrote the lyrics and songs. The drums and guitars were played by Jo Ellis for the studio recording. The orchestration for each track was done by Poly Forge Media. Photographer: Julian Emdon.

“Rainbow Warrior,” opens with “Silver Linings.” It opens with soft keyboards and piano. Chantal sings, “Do not resist the darkness. Do not chase the light. Let yourself drown in every moment. Whether its darkness or light. As night expands her black angel wings. The moon unveils her beauty. Silver linings trace dark clouds. And stars reveal their light. Even in the darkest sky. There’s always a light nearby.” A song about embracing both sides of the equation between dark and light. The guitars and drums highlight her vocals well. Chantal has a soft, elegant, and angelic voice that does not pierce the ears, but rather soothes and warms the soundscape.

“Rainbow Warrior,” is the title song, which is a powerful track full of resilience and transformation. Chantal sings, “A new tribe of people. From all races, colours, and creeds. Rise through their actions. And stand together in time of need. Putting aside their differences to heal the earth. Joining hands in unification. Bringing peace and a rebirth. Rainbow Warriors. Rainbow Warriors of the light. We are here to fight. We are here to fight!” Her vocals and lyrics are supported well with Jo Ellis’ guitar and drum accompaniment. A visionary epic tale and ballad that sets the tone for the entire album, and made it the reason for the album title.

“Run,” is the longest song on the album, at over 9 and a half minutes. Chantal sings, “Moonbeams creep through an empty house. Hopeless and alone she sighed. She started to cry. And the sky cried too as she said her last goodbye. In the rot. Red sunsets turn to grey. The heavenly gates are gone. She could hear them calling from the other side.” A deep song of loneliness and trying to find your way through a difficult world. Unfortunately, they add male growling, as well, on this song. But the music and orchestrations are still beautiful.

“Canyon,” Chantal sings, “The vastness of a canyon. Desert and beauty in one. Eagles looking down on us can see. Our thirst, our crying, our emptiness of being. But somewhere in this canyon is a mystery. Of beauty and love if we only open our eyes to see. Yes, somewhere in this canyon is a mystery. Of beauty and love if we only open our eyes to see.” Another powerful lyrical song asking us to look beyond the darkness to the light, in even some difficult situations.

“New Paradigm,” opens with wonderful piano and great electric guitars. Chantal sings, “Connected by invisible threads of light. Intertwined like the roots of a tree. Separate and unique but still part of the whole. The universe in its wisdom created you and me. Deep within me this universe stirs. A realisation finally occurs. Of unity consciousness. Knowing we are one. A new paradigm has begun. Live from your heart. Not your head.” A message to appreciate what we have and not always be in conflict. Unfortunately, more male growling, taking away from Chantal’s beautiful voice.

With a title like, “Pandora’s Box,” you can tell this will be a difficult song from the outset. Drums, keyboards, and electric guitars sets a running pace as Chantal sings, “Masked under a dark silhouette. Their smiles parade the relic roots of deceit. As their words scatter like flocks of birds. Their spells hover like a mushroom cloud. Smoke and mirrors to veil their lies. It’s all an illusion to deceive the eyes. Pandora’s box with its shades of grey. Colours of night have come out to play. Hold fast to your dreams for if they die.” It is a haunting look at the world we’ve inherited, amidst all the hope that remains.

“Which Wolf Will You Feed,” opens with slow played piano, as the pace of the album slows down. This beautiful piano solo is well worth the wait. Chantal sings, “She wore a smile like a loaded gun. And bleeding through her scars. A silent storm in her eyes begun. As she gazed upon the stars. The demons fought hard to take her back. The demons fought hard to take her back. They want her back.” Chantal describes it as “A lyrical exploration of inner conflict and personal power. The song is inspired by the well-known Cherokee parable about the two wolves inside each of us—one representing darkness, the other light. It’s about recognizing that we all carry both, and we have the power to choose which energy we give life to. It’s a call to awareness and accountability, and a reminder that even in difficult times, we’re not powerless. The wolf we feed shapes who we become.”

“Never Give Up,” opens with another great slow piano solo. It is an empowering anthem dedicated to those who rise again and again. An anthem of resilience. Chantal sings, “Don’t give in to the unconscious collective. The lies we’ve been taught to believe. Have created a limited view of reality. Don’t accept the limitations others have placed on us. We’ve forgotten how it feels to be free. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel infinite. Stand your ground and be true to who you are. Live from the heart and you’ll be free.” A great song for the times we are living in now. Never surrender is the theme. The music is well performed, supporting the powerful lyrics. Not sure why the male growling, repeating Chantal’s lyrics, was necessary, but there it is…

“Boomerang,” is full of some of Chantal’s best ethereal vocals. She sings, “A mouth can lie. But the eyes do not. People will forget. But karma does not. Sparing no one as justice is served. Cause and effect. The great law of the universe. Karma has no menu. You get served what you deserve. Karma has no deadline. It’s the most patient gangster ever. Like a boomerang. What goes around comes back around again,” A simple, but important message, “Be careful what you do during your life.”

“Wild Side,” is the closing track on the album. Chantal sings, “Lives life like a flame. A dance of purposeful chaos. Guided by the fire in her heart. All her life flows with passion. She defies all logic and rules. An enigma you cannot refuse. There’s a little bit of devil in her angel eyes. She’s a little bit of heaven with a wild side. Flowing red hair ablaze of delight. A taunting and hypnotic sight. Her enchanting light invites you in. Her luminance quells your fears. She’s hot warming those who respect her. But she’ll burn those who bring her tears.” Good ladies with wild sides to keep their lives interesting.

“Rainbow Warrior,” was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Jo Ellis at Blue Room Studios, Ladysmith, Western Cape, South Africa in 2025. Orchestration, has completed by Poly Forge Media. Lyrics and composition by Chantal Hughes.

Chantal’s “Rainbow Warrior,” is a good album with an important message and purpose. To shed light on the fact that everything is not necessarily good and evil. There are shades of grey which we must all recognize. Chantal’s spirit seems to lie within this shade of grey and she seems to be asking us to not perceive the world as a dichotomy. There are so many ways to see and understand things. In this current world, where many do try to create the dichotomy, Chantal’s message is an important reminder to us all. The lyrics on this album are very passionate and Chantal sings them with respect and clarity of meaning. The musical performances throughout, by Chantal, Jo Ellis and Poly Forge Media provides a solid, classic metal soundscape, supporting the messages well.

Album Track List: