Leaves' Eyes

Formed in 2003 between Stavanger, Norway and Ludwigsburg, Germany, Leaves' Eyes emerged from the meeting of Norwegian singer Liv Kristine and several members of the German band Atrocity around a project of symphonic metal tinged with gothic and Nordic folk. From the album Lovelorn (2004), and then Vinland Saga (2005), Leaves' Eyes established an aesthetic focused on maritime narratives, Viking sagas and Norse mythology, carried by a contrast between melodic female lead vocals, rougher voices, choirs and massive orchestrations. The subsequent records, from Njord (2009) to Meredead (2011) and Symphonies of the Night (2013), deepened this blend of melodic metal, medieval influences and touches of Scandinavian traditional music. With King of Kings (2015) the band adopted a more conceptual format around historical themes related to Scandinavia. After Liv Kristine's departure in 2016, Finnish singer Elina Siirala took over lead vocals on Sign of the Dragonhead (2018) and The Last Viking (2020), continuing the group's epic, narrative orientation. Active on European metal stages and festivals, Leaves' Eyes remains in a continuity where orchestral arrangements, Viking imagery and contrasting vocal registers are at the heart of its musical identity.