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AFM Records [Release date : 22.03.24]
Fans of the band, or even just the genre, will know that German Symphonic Metal band, Leaves’ Eyes are totally immersed in Nordic and Celtic mythology. Pipes, fiddles, choirs, growls, all spin up through the band’s highly accessible brand.
It’s primarily a three hander. Soprano, Elina Siirala, handles lead vocals in tandem with Alexander Krull, who also takes care of the production. Not forgetting US wunderkind, Jonah Weingarten, who contributes the stunning orchestral arrangements.
This new album, their eighth, includes several dazzling, tight-as-a-drum, streamlined examples of the band’s art – like ‘Forged by Fire’, ‘Realm Of The Dark Waves’ and the thrusting ‘Fear The Serpent’ – each a filigreed blast of neatly orchestrated Symphonic Metal, underpinned by a pulsing mix of epic, operatic choirs.
It’s metal in a highly sophisticated form, and the thing is, Krull’s growls don’t sound so deep or so threatening now, and Siirala’s soprano sounds richer, sweeter. Maybe we’re just adapting. Or maybe they’ve been sanding down some sharp edges.
‘Hammer Of The Gods’ is an object lesson in how to modulate a soprano’s tone. Siirala’s vocals are double tracked at different pitches in sympathy with the guitar’s chord progressions. It’s the sound of the beauty and the beast teasing each other across the heavens, waiting for the Hammer Of The Gods to act. We’re mainlined into a world of industrial strength Symphonic Metal, sparking off a swirling mix of ethnic instrumentation, and we love it.
It vies with ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ as the album’s classic cut. This is a shorter, much more commercial track, yet it still allows for all the drama and theatre we can handle.
You have to admire Leaves’ Eyes. Eight albums now, and that stirring Nordic Metal still sounds fresh and new.
They kick of a 25 date European tour tonight in Glasgow. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
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