This up-and-coming “Couture Metal” ensemble from Down Under strikes back with their first ever full-length album, an eight-track odyssey that serves as a philosophical exploration of the human condition.

Melbourne has long been a crucible for heavy music innovation, but Symphonic Metal entity ANA is currently redefining the aesthetic boundaries of the genre. Since their inception in early 2023, the quintet has bypassed standard symphonic tropes to establish “Couture Metal” as a sophisticated, upscale evolution of the craft that prioritizes high-fashion theatricality alongside punishing sonic precision. Led by the enigmatic frontwoman Anna Hristenko, whose vocal range anchors the band’s atmospheric depth, ANA have quickly transitioned from an intriguing newcomer to a formidable force in the international metal community, culminating now with the release of their first full-length album Motivated By Death, following up on their 2024 EP The Art of Letting Go. Engineered and mixed at Monolith Studios, and mastered at The Panicroom Studio, the new album by Anna Hristenko on vocals, Josh Mak on the guitar, Cody Lamb on bass, Mark Shi on keyboards, and Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio on drums is an eight-track odyssey that serves as a philosophical exploration of the human condition.

Like the intro to an epic movie, ethereal sounds permeate the air in Hate Me before morphing into a thrilling fusion of Symphonic and Alternative Metal led by Anna’s hypnotizing vocals, whereas Josh’s striking riffs are boosted by the electrifying keys by Mark in the upbeat Shadow of Life, highly recommended for fans of Within Temptation and Epica. Then Cody’s rumbling bass kicks off the hard hitting Following the Wind, perfect for some wild headbanging while Anna delivers her trademark vocals supported by the again whimsical keys by Mark; and after such an electrifying tune we face the dark ballad You Loved Me More Than I Love Myself, bringing passion and melancholy to the band’s feast of modern-day heavy music.

Andres takes the lead with his ruthless beats and fills in the mesmerizing Eyes of A Child, with their riffs and keys also taking us on a journey to far away lands, always spiced up by Anna’s striking vocals, followed by Sick Love, another enfolding ballad by Anna and her henchmen, with her passionate vocal lines being nicely complemented by the delicate piano and keys by Mark, ending on a strong note when the guitar, bass and drums join him. Papa is a decent song but not as captivating as the rest of the album, lacking an extra kick in the end, albeit Anna still delivers her usual striking vocals, and closing the album we have the band’s very interesting take on System of A Down’s classic Aerials (check the original one HERE if you’re from another dimension and doesn’t know it yet), where Anna and the boys bring passion and tons of symphonic elements to their inspiring rendition.

An invitation to see the birth of a new era in Australian heavy music, Motivated By Death will undoubtedly take ANA to new heights, hopefully meaning we’ll see the band touring on “distant” lands like the United States and Canada in the near future. Having said that, if you want to know more about the band and invite them to hit the stages of your hometown, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their classy music on Spotify, and of course put your hands on their incendiary new album by clicking HERE. ANA stand at the precipice of a new era with the release of Motivated By Death, proving that while life is temporary, great music is immortal.

Best moments of the album: Hate Me, Following the Wind and Eyes of A Child.

Worst moments of the album: Papa.

Released in 2026 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Hate Me 4:32
2. Shadow of Life 3:28
3. Following the Wind 3:32
4. You Loved Me More Than I Love Myself 5:42
5. Eyes of A Child 4:13
6. Sick Love 4:17
7. Papa 4:38
8. Aerials (System of A Down cover) 4:19

Band members
Anna Hristenko – vocals
Josh Mak – guitar
Cody Lamb – bass
Mark Shi – keyboards
Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio – drums