Leila Abdul-Rauf – Calls From A Seething Edge (Digital/CD/Vinyl Album – Cyclic Law)
At the end of last year, Leila Abdul-Rauf returned with her fifth album since 2013. This work serves as a profound reflection on what we, as individuals, can do differently or better in the world we inhabit. The theme is subtly woven into seven evocative tracks. Once again, the artist’s sound defies easy categorization, acting as a crossroads for diverse influences. The album opens with an Ethereal piece where Leila’s heavenly vocals gradually intensify, setting the stage for a rich sonic journey. The music seamlessly shifts between Dark-Ambient, Industrial, and Cinematic styles, accented by oriental atmospheres. At times melancholic, at other moments deeply mysterious, the album continually surprises the listener, culminating in some truly tormented compositions. Authenticity is further amplified by the incorporation of organic elements such as trumpet, violin, and other instruments. Having encountered several remarkable albums from Leila Abdul-Rauf in the past, I find this latest release to be her most outstanding work yet. (Rating:8½).
Listen to “Summon”:
About Leila Abdul-Rauf
Leila Abdul-Rauf is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and composer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, US. She launched her solo project in 2012 after performing with Amber Asylum at the Wroclaw Industrial Festival in Poland, where a live set by :Zoviet*France: pushed her toward immersive, self-produced material outside the guitar and drum-based bands she had played in until then. Her solo sound mixes Dark-Ambient, Cinematic and Industrial elements with acoustic instrumentation, centered on trumpet and her own vocals.
Her debut solo album, “Cold And Cloud”, was released on July 27, 2013, followed by “Insomnia” on March 17, 2015, and “Diminution” on April 13, 2018. “Phantasiai” followed on July 16, 2021, mastered at Cyclic Law. “Calls From A Seething Edge” was released on October 11, 2024, mixed by Sammy Fielding at Ancient Owl Audio and mastered by Frederic Arbour at Cyclic Law Mastering. “Andros Insidium” followed on April 17, 2026, mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer.
Beyond her solo work, Abdul-Rauf has performed with Amber Asylum, Hammers Of Misfortune, Bastard Noise, Vastum, Cardinal Wyrm, and Saros, among other bands. In a Side-Line interview, she described “Calls From A Seething Edge” as her first album written with heavier rhythm and more complex arrangements after four earlier releases built around a more minimal sound.
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