ANA – Motivated by Death
Release Date: 29th May 2026
Label: Eclipse Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Symphonic Metal, Couture Metal.
FFO: Evanescence, Nightwish, EPICA, Illumishade, Moonlight Haze.
Review By: Mark Waight
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia Symphonic metal band ANA define themselves as Couture Metal, a sophisticated upscale evolution of the craft that prioritizes high fashion theatrically alongside punishing sonic precision.
There is still plenty in “Motivated by Death” to satisfy traditional Symphonic Metal fans, but ANA also add their own distinct edge by introducing us to their own unique multimedia universe. There is a comic book series for us to follow, and a feature length documentary entitled “Watch Me as I Rise” that creates an experience way beyond the world of music.
Following on from their well received 2024 debut EP “The Art of Letting Go” their first full-length album “Motivated by Death” is portrayed as being the first step in the evolution of Australian Heavy Metal music.
ANA is Anna Khristenko (vocals), Josh Mak (guitars), Cody Lamb (bass), Andres Felipe Martinez Osrio (drums) and Mark Shi (Keyboards).
Opening track “Hate Me” fuses futuristic and symphonic metal with a tinge of the mystic to create a very submersive and thoroughly enjoyable experience. Following swiftly on ANA hit the power up button for the darker and more foreboding “Shadow of Life”. Two songs down, and it’s been a cracking start that’s sure to entice you onto the hook.
Next up the stunningly beautiful “You Loved Me More Than I Loved Myself” turns on the water works with an emotional and vulnerable vocal performance superbly backed up by heart wrenchingly epic guitar solo. In complete contrast “Following the Wind” cranks up the pressure and dials up the anger with a hard hitting, heavy on the hammer pure metal tune! They maybe poles apart, but both are magnetically captivating in their own way too.
If you want to tucker on some traditional Symphonic Metal fare, then look no further than the delicious staple “Eyes of a Child” which firmly nails its colours to that mast. Slow burning and heartbreaking ballad “Sick Love” then gets those emotional juices flowing once again with an emotionally charged, tear inducing piano and vocal duet. These two songs are very sweet on the ears indeed.
With echoes of “Stairway to Heaven” reverberating through its humble beginnings penultimate song “Papa” quickly takes on a mind of its own and morphs into a dark, hauntingly gothic composition with a superb orchestral score. Along similar lines closing track “Aerials” transmits the message far and wide that ANA are certainly a band on the rise and warranting further attention.
“Motivated by Death” is an absorbing and inspired composition of modern metal songs with wide-reaching appeal across the genre. It’s a rock-solid album from start to finish that nicely showcases ANA’s own self-styled Couture brand of Modern symphonic metal to the masses. I will be certainly adding “Motivated by Death” to my playlist and eagerly awaiting the next evolutionary step with gusto. Recommended!
(4 / 5)
