Leaves’ Eyes, Myths Of Fate, will be released on March 22, 2024, on AFM Records. On, Myths Of Fate, Leaves’ Eyes present their mystical and dark side. Some of the band members have Viking and Scandinavian heritage; so the concept design and music, feel both genuine and authentic. That authenticity can be seen visually on the first album single, “Forged By Fire”; which was played live at Wacken Festival in 2023, where it was enthusiastically celebrated by the fans! The rest of the albums’ videos are also masterfully authentic in nature and vision.
To be fair, the band has been building up to this concept with their live shows, that include spectacular events with breathtaking stage scenery, including a Viking ship or even the “Swords In Rock” monument from Norway. Their past albums have also built upon this Viking past. With “The Last Viking”, the 2020-monumental-piece of Leaves Eyes past. They even went so far as to produce an original film documentary, Viking Spirit in 2021. The documentary was filmed globally, and its Viking simulations have been critically acclaimed.
Leaves’ Eyes is made up of: Elina Siirala, on lead vocals; Alexander Krull, on male lead vocals; Micki Richter, on guitar; Luc Gebhardt, on guitar; and Joris Nijenhuis, on drums.
The video for “Forged by Fire”, opens with Elina Siirala, walking a stone bridge to the castle. She is surrounded by what sounds like an orchestra, filled with regal horns and anthemic music. “Forged By Fire’s” accompanying video describes the ancient storyline about the legendary Tyrfing sword, along with a mystical and authentic visual representation. That just helps make this song and video even more epic and moving. Inside the sunlit castle, the blacksmith is forging a sword in the fire.
Elina, who looks like a Viking princess and warrior in different parts of the video sings, “Tyrfing, sword of ancient might. Your magic shining bright. But deadly is the curse of the dwarfs. In deep caves dark fate ignites. Burning magic becomes alive. Golden embers illuminate. The price of your glory – demise. We fight until the end of time. Forged by fire! Our hearts are true, our spirits high! We are the chosen of the gods!” Then, Elina whispers mystically, “Dwarves whisper the spell. in the deepest of their caves. Cold realm beyond mountain rocks. You will never see. Sword of legend beyond mountain rocks. Thy cursed blade was forged by fire and steel. We fight until the end of time!” Yes, it is an amazing album opener and everything you would desire to start an epic concept album. Alexander Krull adds guttural/harsh vocals, but at times they are indistinguishable. Better to let the ladies sing, as I always say. But still few are listening.
As many who read my reviews know; I am a lover of the ocean, and so, “Realm of Dark Waves”, is one of my favorite songs on the album. Leaves’ Eyes created another wonderful authentic looking video for this song; filmed in Iceland and Germany. This is the story of the ladies of the deep, which enrapture men of the sea, with their intrigue and voices; only to drag their bodies under and drown them at sea. There are many names for these creatures, mermaids, mari-morgans, and the most popular, sirens; mainly because off their beautiful voices. Elina sings about Rán, probably the queen of these creatures in Norse mythology. They are wicked, but their story lives on in folklore around the world, forever. Elina sings, “I’m the ruler of the roaring waves. Mortals fear my name. I’m the mother of nine wave maidens. Rán, the goddess of the sea. Stormy wind and crashing waves. Pave my way to you. Now I cast my baleful net. You shall be my destined prey!” Rán is a famous goddess of Norse mythology, which the video helps capture well. A song with no harsh male vocals – Perfect!
“Who Wants to Live Forever”, also has a wonderful supporting video. Which many of the songs on this album do. Elina sings, “Taste her apples of fortune. Your life becomes immortal. She’s appearing to me with a shining smile. Her powers ward off chaos and strife. Fair goddess, she’s the keeper of life. Her name is Idun so fair and so kind. I’ll take you to the thunder home. Up high where icy towers rule. Who wants to live forever!” Later she delivers more of the story, “High above, where the gods do dwell. There’s a goddess with a magic well. When she left all turned old and grey”. Mystical and bold. Like something you might remember from your childhood. The next song will take me to one of my favorite Viking songs of the past…
As a Led Zeppelin fan, there was no way they could have left off a song titled, “Hammer of the Gods”, from this album, and still have remained authentic. Everyone remembers, “Immigrant Song”. And if you don’t, please listen to it when you can. It is the primordial Viking song of rock. The walls of the ancient Viking Heaven, Valhalla; never heard such a song, before or since. Now it is Leaves’ Eyes turn. Unfortunately, there is no video for this track yet, but I hope one will be forthcoming. The song opens with ominous and softly unfolding orchestration, before the drums and electric guitars begin to crank up the volume and pace. Alexander Krull sings guttural/harsh vocals, “Hammer of the Gods!”, to announce the song. Then, Elina sings, “Whispered legends they tell. Mjolnir never fails. The power of celestial light. Dispelling eternal blight. Striking fear into the hearts of giants. Thrud’s face under the midnight sun. In the realm of shadows. I will wait for thee. Through the mist of darkness. Unleashed to set me free. Hammer of the Gods. Glory to them all!” Mjolnir is the ancient hammer, of the Thunder God, Thor. Elina and Alexander sing, “Hammer of the Gods. Glory to them all. Hammer of the Gods. True weapon of the storm!” Elina sings, “From heavens above it strikes. The skies where heroes rise. Bathed in thunder rolls. Through mighty realms unknown!” A wonderful power anthem indeed. Not as good as “Immigrant Song”, but a proud anthem, full of firepower and thunder.
The band recently released a video for “In Eternity”. It may be the best video and one of the album’s best songs. The Icelandic landscapes, set designs, costumes, and tribal dancers show how much time and diligent effort was put into the develop of the concept, and the authenticity necessary to bring this music and story to life. Elina sins, “I see the end in your eyes. Spirits call from the other side. I pray for strength, strength tonight. In dreams I feel your warmth. Buried and frozen the hell we fought. I pray for strength, strength tonight. In eternity. I’ll never be. Afraid. Legends live forever. You’re my angel, my savior!” Wow, absolutely excellent!
Every tale or concept must have an evil opponent, and, “Fear the Serpent”, chooses Norse mythology’s greatest foe, Jörmungandr. He was the “Serpent of the World”, whose body stretched around the world, with its head eventually reaching its tale, in an ouroboros. Legend has it, when “Jörmungandr, releases its tail, Ragnarök, (the final battle of the world), will begin”. The song begins with ominous strings, guitar, orchestration and then heavy drums and guitar. Elina sings, “Jörmungandr. Rises from the dark. Thunder rolls and lightning. Tear this world apart. Gorge of the sea. Spreading poisoned winds of dread. Fear, fear the serpent. To the Gods they pray. Death will be certain. The ship of doom awaits. Until the end of all days”. The way she sings Jörmungandr’s name, in itself, is a thing of beauty. The anthemic music is wonderful and bombastic!
“Goddess of the Night”, is one of the most beautiful songs on the album. Very
Lord of the Rings soundtrack – like. The soft strings, violins, and orchestration are a perfect mix or LoR and your favorite Celtic music. Soft and elegant with flutes dancing out, amidst the heavy guitars, and drums. Elina sings, “Once I looked up to the clear nightsky. I searched for your celestial face. I couldn’t seek you there. I couldn’t reach your bright silver eyes. Stars like candles in the wind. I wish you’d see me now. And take me to your night kingdom. Embrace the dark. In eternal moonlight. Where the stars are shining bright. Forever lost. In veils of shadows. She is the goddess of the night”. The best vocal performance for Elina, so far!
The “Sons of Triglav”, is the first song to take the concept away from Scandinavia, and relocate it to Slovenia. “Triglav, was the chief god of the Pomeranian and probably some of the Polabian Slavs”. This song opens with Viking like horns, thumping drums, orchestration and heavy metal guitars. This one is Alexander Krull’s vocal song. He sings, in harsh vocals, “We are sons, sons, sons of Triglav. In the realm of Slavic lands. We march again. Down by the Baltic Sea. Our hearts ablaze. In Pagan ways”. Elina joins in singing together, “Bounded by faith. Our spirit’s true. Sons, sons, sons of Triglav. In glorious times. As in dark days”. My least favorite song on the album. I understand its meaning, but it breaks up the Norse mythology. If I had a choice this would have been at the end of the album, as a bonus track.
“Elder Spirit”, returns Elina’s voice to the lead. She sings, “Elder spirit I hear your call. A voice that speaks to me. Your eyes they follow me, or is it just a dream. I walk through darkened woods. Shadows follow me. Along the elder trees. They’re whispering my name”. Alexander Krull, sings, in normal voice, “Dark the night. Black the horizon. Hear the call”. Elina and Alex trade choruses before an excellent lead electric guitar solo breaks out. Elina closes singing, “Elder Spirit I hear your call. Your eyes they follow me or is it just a dream”.
“Einherjar”, are an essential part of Norse mythology. “They are those soldiers, who have died in battle, fighting for their country, and are brought to Valhalla by Valkyries”. The song opens with a pirate like melody, filled with powerful lead electric guitars, drums and bass. Elina sings, “Fallen in battle. Warrior souls shall arise. Chosen by the Valkyries’ flight. Hearts of courage. Brave Norsemen by Odin’s grace. Going to Asgaard”. Alex sings, “Einherjar, souls of the slain. In Valhalla they forever remain. Fight and feast for Odin’s might. Await the dawn of your last night”. Then, they sing in unison, along with what sounds like a choir, “We are the chosen fallen. We stand side by side. Our fight goes on forever. Fate of the gods. We are the army of the slain”. Another powerful Viking anthem, for sure. One of the heaviest metal songs on the album. Richard Wagner must surely be smiling now…maybe in Valhalla.
They close the album on the high seas. Thank you! “Sail with the Dead”, is a sea journey for the ages. Alex roars “Naglfar!” To open this epic. “In Norse mythology, Naglfar or Naglfari, is a boat made entirely from the fingernails and toenails of the dead”. Some translations even say it is a boat made from the entire corpse of the dead. Either way, it is going to be a nightmarish journey, for sure. Elina sings, “Fate. Vessel of darkness. Is on its way. Dark clouds are gathering. Afar. The sea is restless. Under a starless sky. The flock of birds. No longer fly. Feel the wind. The calm before the storm!” Later she sings, “Strong winds of destiny. Raging waves of doom. Longship. Made from nails. Nails of the dead. Sail with the dead. Over the ocean”. A powerful and dark album closer.
Leaves’ Eyes latest album, “Myths of Fate”, is the best metal symphonic album of 2024…so far!
Maybe this will be remembered as the new “Golden Age” of metal concept albums. With Victoria K’s “Kore”, which focused on Greek mythology, and now Leaves Eyes’ latest album, “Myths of Fate”, which focusses on foundational civilizations of the Nordic culture. We are finally beginning to hear some fantastic stories which needed to be told, with music. Hopefully we are at the dawn of a new metal concept album era; like I remember from the 1980s and ‘90s, when metal bands like: Metallica, Dream Theater and Queensrÿche, just to name a very few; released amazing concept albums, that we still listen to today.
Leaves’ Eyes knows how to support an album with interesting and authentic looking videos shot on location within the realm of the Vikings. That is a key development in the concept album process and Leaves’ Eyes accomplishes it so well, with perfect choices for location filming.
I have pre-ordered the album and plan to interview Elina Siirala, to delve deeper into the mysteries and the stories behind “Myths of Fate”.
Don’t wait. Get on the pre-order list and have this album when it comes out on March 22nd!
Only a few questions/suggestions. With one of the best female vocalists in Northern Europe why do guttural/harsh vocals male vocals? There really is no need, when you have an absolutely perfect voice, why detract or interrupt it?
Album Track List:
1. Forged by Fire
2. Realm of Dark Waves
3. Who Wants to Live Forever
4. Hammer of the Gods
5. In Eternity
6. Fear the Serpent
7. Goddess of the Night
8. Sons of Triglav
9. Elder Spirit
10. Einherjar
11. Sail with the Dead
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://napalmrecords.com/english/leaves-eyes-myths-of-fate-earbook-2-cd.html
https://www.instagram.com/elinasiirala/reel/C1hFu7WtZDd/
https://www.facebook.com/leaveseyesofficial
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/user/LeavesEyesOfficial