Music filled with sagas and legends…
Leaves' Eyes, the name in itself has quite a musical ring to it. And it comes as no surprise that the world's most international band attracts all the attention in 2009. With their latest album “Njord”, the sextet revolving around Liv Kristine defends its position as the number one presence within the symphonic Gothic Rock/Metal genre.
On “Njord”, Leaves' Eyes finally opens a new chapter in Nordic mythology. With this new masterpiece, they are able to prove to what extent they have found their own style and developed it to perfection. In 2009, Leaves' Eyes present themselves rocking, up-to-date, sweeping, and free of all genre conventions.
As made evident by the debut album “Lovelorn” (2004), Leaves' Eyes came into being during a walk in the woods. The musicians are able to convert nature's impressions into music in an incomparable way. Thorsten Bauer and Mathias Röderer established an exceptional guitar sound with the first album that has been a band trademark ever since. However, it is Liv Kristine's unique voice that serves as the linchpin in Leaves' Eyes. On “Lovelorn”, Liv sings about a magical world filled with mermaids, love and tragedy. With this concept album, the band not only enthralls the ears, but in particular the imagination of the listener. The members of Leaves' Eyes do not merely write songs, their music tells of sagas and legends. Like no other newcomer band, Leaves' Eyes received exceptional feedback and coverage from the press (including interviews and cover stories). The fanbase continued to grow within a matter of weeks until the numbers filled the hall of the Wave Gotik Treffen 2004, celebrating the band's stage premier.
The spectacular and rapid success of Leaves' Eyes does not happen without a reason. Every band member had already been gathering professional experience in other musical endeavors for years before joining Leaves' Eyes. In the mid 90s Liv Kristine's voice was like a beacon in the gothic scene, while singing for Theatre of Tragedy. The Norwegian band established the marriage of Metal with the female voice, and their club hit “Tanz der Schatten” became synonymous with the direction and expression of a whole musical genre. In addition, Liv Kristine conquered the pop scene and sang the songs to TV hits like “Tatort” and “Schimanski”.
In Leaves' Eyes, Liv is supported by the band members of Atrocity. The metal heavyweights recently earned top honors for being the “most diverse Metal band”. With each and every album, Atrocity sets landmarks. This can be Death Metal (“Todessehnsucht”), “Electro (“Die Liebe”) or epic music “Calling the Rain”). Their series of “Werk 80” albums is a legend of its own and skyrocketed the band into higher chart positions (e.g. position 19 for “Werk 80 II”). Liv calls the members of Atrocity “the best musicians and friends in the world”, having the perfect partners at her side.
One year after “Lovelorn”, Leaves' Eyes made waves with the follow up “Vinland Saga” (2005). The single “Elegy” stays four weeks in the German charts. The elaborate animated video clip was broadcasted by TV stations all over the world and is the adaptation of the album's concept, which deals with the Viking Leif Eriksson. PRO7 used “Elegy” as the official song for the series “NUMB3RS”. Like the classic composers, Leaves' Eyes turn legends and tales into songs. The music on “Vinland Saga” invokes the mighty forces of nature and the fighting Vikings in the mind of the listener. Once again, Liv Kristine's love for heir native Norway shines throughout the compositions and it is clear that her band cohorts also long for the magic this country has to offer.
Leaves' Eyes is not just a studio band, despite numerous chart entries. They play live shows on a regular basis and traveled all over the world to bring their music to their dedicated fans. Since “Lovelorn”, it seems like the band has been on tour forever. In only four years, the band traveled through four continents, 34 countries and played 222 concerts. Fans from South America, North America, Australia, and Europe prove that a love for music transcends all borders. This comes as no surprise, as the band comprises members from Germany, Norway, and North America. The Live DVD “We cam with the Northern Winds/En Saga I Beglia” (2009) entered the German DVD charts at number 11. This exclusive package documented the exceptional history of the band. In addition, the DVD features the legendary concert at the Metal Female Voices Festival 2007. This headline show presented the fans with an impressive Viking ship on stage.
“Njord“continues the triumphs of the band, which long ago became one of the most successful Gothic Metal formations in the world. Already their first single “My Destiny” comes rushing out from the speakers and is so catchy, that it is almost dangerous! This song is the legitimate successor to the band anthem “Elegy”. Liv sings “I'm falling into the deep”, but aims for the stars at the same time. “Njord” could be the next big step for Leaves' Eyes. Once more the musicians go beyond every convention and reinvent themselves. The new album is more complex yet accessible, modern and unpredictable, and is able to surprise the listener every time.
Just as diverse and breath-taking as Mother Nature, “Njord” presents itself to the reader. The album is a loose concept about Nordic history and myths. The hymn “Through our Veins” alternates delicately between sonorous and more subtle tunes. The kettledrums and string sections give the title track an almost bleak and menacing feel, whereas the acoustic parts of “Irish Rain” give the song a fragile note. Catchy melodies like in “Take the devil in me” stay in sharp contrast to the magnificent opus “Frøya's Theme”, which is by far the most complex Leaves' Eyes song ever written. One of the emotional highlights on the album is the interpretation of the English traditional “Scarborough Fair” in which uilleann pipes and whistles create a magical atmosphere. Vocalist Alexander Krull is also the producer and make sure that the bombastic guitars leave enough room for the other instruments and numerous nuances. The music of “Njord” is enriched by the power of a choir and the virtuosity of the Lingua Mortis Orchestra directed by Victor Smolski (Rage). The classical elements emphasize the music's grandeur, while the artists elevate each and every song to an art form of its own.
However, it is Liv Kristine's vocals that transform the songs into masterpieces. On this album, Liv sings in no less than eight languages about Nordic deities, Vikings and history. In addition, the Grammy-nominated vocalist (for “Nymphetamine” with Cradle of Filth) sounds free and more confident than ever before. The fans will hear how much fun Liv had while recording her vocal lines and that the spectrum of her voice has gained more shades. Live Kristine's vocals are so emotional and tangible, that one inevitably becomes part of the sagas and legends of the North.
Leaves' Eyes is aware of the status they hold in the music scene. They are leaders and their dedicated supporters expect the highest quality. With their best and most mature album to date, Leaves' Eyes affirms the leading position and sets the highest standards for everything to follow. “Njord” will breeze through the summer days not unlike the North wind. And just like with Eriksson's discovery of America, nothing will remain the same.
Robert Suß
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