Album Review: Leonov – Shape of Ash
Artist: Leonov
Title: Shape of Ash
Label: Pelagic Records
Release date: July 4th, 2025
Country: Norway
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording
Album Review: Leonov – Shape of Ash via Pelagic Records by Pegah
After a long while, I finally had the chance to revisit a female-fronted band — and this time, it’s Leonov in the spotlight. The Norwegian doomgaze/post-metal outfit returned on July 4th with their new EP, “Shape of Ash” — a hauntingly immersive release that explores themes of despair, restlessness, inner struggle, and the slow path toward reconciliation. The cover art, simple yet expressive, portrays a woman with her eyes closed, hands seemingly bound behind her back, as she slowly surrenders to the flames that rise to purify her. There’s no fear in her face — only calm, and a quiet confidence.
“Samaritan” feels like a breeze drifting in from the sea at dusk. I watch the gentle turn of the tides as the vocals, soft and warm, begin to fill the space. Her voice wraps around me like a silk veil, and the guitars begin to mesmerize, pulling me further inward. I close my eyes and surrender to the sound. Then, the calm shatters: heavy riffs crash like waves against the rocks, exploding into the air. I open my eyes — and the whole world is on fire. Is this happening inside of me? Or it’s just for real? “Auld Ashok” pulls me back and forth — the soundscape doesn’t rise and fall in a traditional arc, but instead draws me inward again, like a sonic representation of internal struggle. As the track unfolds, it feels like being caught in a never-ending loop, the repetition mirroring a psychological cycle you can’t quite escape.
“Bygg En Menneskekropp”, with the addition of male vocals, creates a striking dialogue — almost theatrical in its presentation. It feels like watching a stage play: the woman sounds helpless, the man exhausted, as if enacting a moment of emotional collapse between two people. The tension is quiet but heavy, portraying frustration and distance through the language of music. “Shape of Ash” brings a sense of relief — a calm after the storm. There’s a feeling of resolution, not necessarily triumph, but something closer to acceptance. It’s like returning to the origin point, purified and changed.
I truly enjoyed listening to this EP and the emotions it stirred in me. If you’re a fan of A Perfect Circle, Radiohead, or Archive, don’t hesitate — give “Shape of Ash” a listen. You won’t regret it. 9/10
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