Siren
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
An Austin artist with a penchant for hard rock sounds, Hanna Barakat delivers a powerful record here, where Arab influences and metal ideas are fleshed out with the help of John Moyer of Disturbed fame.
The title track starts the listen with plenty of atmosphere as it builds into a dramatic but melodic rocker where Barakat’s sweet, soaring pipes guide the intensity, and “Let Go” follows with dynamic interplay amid the rhythm section in a bristling yet restrained tune.
The middle of the album offers the Eastern sounds of “Cycle”, which gradually shifts into a crunchy rocker, while “Damage Done” benefits greatly from atmosphere as Barakat’s strong pipes flow alongside shimmering beauty that’s also hard hitting. “Separation”, one of the album’s most intriguing moments, then glides with a calm approach but one that’s no less impactful in its execution.
Near the end, “Criminal” recruits some universal pop melodies into the energetic display, and “Wanting To Go Home” exits the listen with a multifaceted approach where strings and ambience are part of the alt-rock equation.
Though the songs were written over a 10 year period, Siren is a cohesive effort, where Barakat’s vocal acrobatics and precise attention to detail make it an exceptional listen.
Travels well with: 3 Doors Down- Us And The Night; Muse- Drones