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LION SHEPHERD
www.lionshepherd.net
Lion Shepherd, whose namesake seems to borrow from the age-old Aesop fable, 'The Shepherd and the Lion', released their debut album, 'Hiraeth', in their native Poland two months prior to the rest of the world. So much for the global release day that came into effect this summer! A newly formed band, I guess they're a largely unknown entity in the majority of territories, so it's not like this is an eagerly anticipated album that warrants a simultaneous release the world over. That said, their recent European tour as opening support act for Riverside would've undoubtedly helped spread the word, so it could be said that delaying the release date until after the tour was a wise move... for, now, they'll most certainly have engendered a degree of interest peripheral to their home country. And, if they performed throughout the tour as well as they did when I caught them live in Manchester last month, Lion Shepherd will now have thousands of fans waiting to get their hands on this sublime gem of a record.

So, what are we dealing with here? Well, the core songwriting duo of Kamil Haidar (vocals) and Mateusz Owczarek (electric/acoustic guitars; oud), alongside bassist Wojciech Rucinski and sticksman Slawek Berny, plus a whole host of guest musicians, have crafted and contributed to a suite of music where West meets East in all kinds of experimentally accessible blends. Rock, metal, prog, folk, psychedelic and ambient elements have been mixed up and flavoured with ethic and world music idioms, and a distinct bias towards Middle Eastern modes during particular passages of certain tracks. And the fusion of disparate elements are made to sound in no small way disparate at all, such is the skill in how they've been blended. Part of this success is the fact that the mixed-style approach has been bound together by some of the most sublime melodies you'll hear on any album all year. Melodic progressions and structures never fail to be dynamic and captivating, be it expressed through Western or Eastern modes, and all sound so utterly beautiful in both the instrumentations and Haidar's smooth-toned vocals.

Lyrics-wise, songs adopt abstract introspections and reflections, as well as more literal discourse. The latter erupts most emphatically on the album's heaviest number, 'Smell of War', which also sees Haidar convey a more impassioned vocal in what is, in essence, a protest song about the whole Syrian situation, and the personal pain he feels at what's taking place in his father's homeland, and a country in which he once lived himself. This is raw emotion, genuine pain and anger in the form of music... you can hear it, and feel it, in his voice. In fact, his singing has profound emotional qualities throughout the album so, along with the immersive nature of the music itself, the songs provide a truly absorbing listening experience. Likewise for Owczarek's guitar work, which is refined, restrained and remarkable in all the right places. And, of the guest performers, which include those who've contributed some harmonica, santur and Hammond, it's Rasm Al Mashan who genuinely shines. She adds her incredible vocal talents and wonderfully exotic voice to 'Fly On' and 'Smell of War'... it's a shame she features on just these two tracks.

For a debut album, 'Hiraeth' is stunning. Superbly produced and flawlessly performed, each skilfully crafted song has been brought to life in the most intriguing and engaging of ways. Based on this initial offering, and the potent live force that they are, Lion Shepherd are a name to watch in the coming months.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
MJM Music PL
Album
HIRAETH
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Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
46:10
RELEASE DATE:
20th Nov 2015
TRACK LISTING
1) Fly On
2) Lights Out
3) Brave New World
4) Music Box Ballerina
5) I'm Open
6) Past in Mirror
7) Wander
8) Infidel Act of Love
9) Smell of War
10) Strongest Breed
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Poland
"...some of the most sublime melodies you'll hear on any album all year. Melodic progressions and structures never fail to be dynamic and captivating, be it expressed through Western or Eastern modes, and all sound so utterly beautiful in both the instrumentations and Haidar's smooth-toned vocals."
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