Symphonic metal band ANA has released a new music video for “Following the Wind,” capturing the group’s live energy as it continues touring across the United States with Danzig, Twin Temple and Burning Witches.
Directed by Aaron Mak and filmed during ANA’s recent tour of Japan, the video combines concert footage with behind-the-scenes moments from life on the road. The track appears on the band’s latest full-length studio album, Motivated By Death, released May 29, 2026, via Eclipse Records.
“Following the Wind” is the fourth music video released from the album and provides a more performance-driven look at the band compared with its highly stylized studio productions.
“Following the Wind” Focuses on ANA’s Live Energy
Led by vocalist Anna Khristenko, ANA combines heavy rock riffs, orchestral arrangements and classical influences with a fashion-focused visual identity the group describes as “couture metal.”
For “Following the Wind,” the band moved away from a controlled studio environment and instead focused on the atmosphere of its concerts. The footage was captured during ANA’s Japan tour, documenting performances as well as private moments away from the stage.
Khristenko said the band had long wanted to create a live video that could capture the connection between the performers and the audience. Mak approached the production from the perspective of someone experiencing ANA’s performances night after night while traveling with the group.
Mak previously worked with ANA on its documentary film Watch Me As I Rise, and he described the new video as a connection between that project and the next phase of the band’s story.
“Having worked with ANA on their feature documentary, Watch Me As I Rise, this music video feels like a bridging point between that film and the next instalment.” Says Aaron Mak. “The mindset of wanting this project to be more than just a music video persisted, which explains the intercutting of emotionally charged moments and milestones. The ANA we saw struggling with overcoming obstacles in Watch Me As I Rise has flourished into this latest iteration – more confident, but still hungry as ever. It’s a prologue to the next chapter of this band’s evolution.”
The documentary Watch Me As I Rise is currently streaming exclusively on Thunderflix.
“Motivated By Death” Builds on ANA’s Symphonic Metal Sound
ANA’s Motivated By Death combines orchestral elements with modern hard rock and symphonic metal production. The album was produced by Anna Khristenko and Josh Mak.
Chris Themelco, whose credits include Eye of the Enemy and Naberus, engineered and mixed the record at Monolith Studios. Thomas “Plec” Johansson, who has worked with Groove Armada, Soilwork and Mayhem, handled mastering at The Panicroom Studio.
Australian photographer Peter Coulson photographed the album artwork, which reflects ANA’s distinctive visual identity. The band members perform as masked super-humans, combining high-fashion aesthetics with the theatrical presentation associated with symphonic metal.
Among the album’s featured songs is “Shadow of Life.” Despite the record’s title, the concept does not focus solely on morbidity. Instead, the song presents death as a reminder of life’s impermanence and as a catalyst for creativity. Other highlighted tracks include “Hate Me” and “Papa.”
Motivated By Death is available as a CD Digipak and across digital platforms.
ANA Continues U.S. Tour With Danzig, Twin Temple and Burning Witches
The release of “Following the Wind” comes as ANA continues its U.S. tour alongside Danzig, Twin Temple and Burning Witches.
The announced itinerary included performances in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Upcoming dates include Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 18; Grand Prairie, Texas, on Sept. 20; and Anaheim, California, on Sept. 26.
ANA consists of Anna Khristenko on vocals, Josh Mak on guitar, Cody Lamb on bass, Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio on drums and Mark Shi on keyboards.
The Australian band has drawn comparisons with symphonic metal acts including Nightwish, Within Temptation and Evanescence while developing its own combination of orchestral arrangements, modern hard rock and fashion-driven presentation.
With “Following the Wind,” ANA is putting its live performance at the center of its latest release while continuing to promote Motivated By Death through international touring.
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