The second release from the collective Nine Leaves, “Peace In Death” brings back the art of album making. With no restrictions and no formulas followed, the work takes you on a ride through a host of emotions, sometimes epic, other times aggressive; but always engaging and rich in texture. At times, it is storytelling at it’s best, and at points provocative, but it’s consistently purposeful and never irresponsible.

A musical melting pot of sorts, orchestral score weaves in and out between breathtaking landscapes and modern beats, while the lyrics faithfully provide a natural compliment and enhance the story being told by the music. You won’t find any meaningless song concepts here, for every track is calculated, carving its own identity. The status quo is out the window, and in it’s place...ingenuity. When it’s heartfelt, it’s sincere, and when it’s angry, it’s rageful.

The concept behind the album stems from it’s three instrumentals, which segment the album. “It’s not necessarily a literal death that we’re referring to, although it certainly can be” says Zack Hemsey, the composer behind the project. “It’s more of a change of circumstances; be it a way of life, the ways of a nation, or ultimately one’s demise. It’s coming face to face with something outside of your control, and not being afraid to look it in the face.”

The title track, which closes the album, is a back and forth between beautiful melody and edgy production. We can hear the sounds of thunder and rain, further enhancing the intrigue. “The contrasting sections and shifting moods really invoke this duality... as if the world is being flooded, and everything in it is suffocating. Yet somehow this terror is matched with a sort of hope...an inkling that maybe there’s more to what meets the eye.”

One thing is for certain: this album delivers in the full sense of the word. It’s a craft of art in a time where works of such caliber have been sorely missing from the world’s main-stage.