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Leaves' Eyes
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Vinland Saga
Napalm Records
Release: 7/19/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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The new record by German/Norwegian band Leaves' Eyes is
a concept record that is as much history lesson as it is great
music. The record tells the story of Norwegian Leif Erikson
and crew who set off by boat to visit his father in Greenland.
The boat met severe ocean storms and drifted way off
course leading them to America, the first known Europeans
to do so.
Leaves' Eyes completed this new record quickly - fuelled by
the raucous reception given their debut record,
Lovelorn, and their first tour in fall/winter 2004.
There is a variety of sounds on this record, from strong
Nightwish-oriented rock to Celtic-style ballads - sometimes
both in the same song.
The 12 tracks tell the story of the journey, also incorporating
a fictional love story element. One of the crewmen was
newly married, and he left his bride at home as he went on
his yearlong adventure. "My own fictional story starts here,"
says lyricist and vocalist Liv Kristine, "because I just thought
there are so many men in this history, we need at least one
female." Some of the songs are the thoughts and wishes of
each to the other.
The strongest cut by far on the record is the single, "Elegy."
A modest piano intro belies the fury that quickly follows.
The pristine vocals of Kristine float over the crunchy guitars
leading to an absolutely awesome chorus. "Solemn Seas" is
both tranquil and aggressive, showing both moods of the
ocean.
The ballad of the set, "Leaves' Eyes" is stunning in its quiet
beauty - majestic and statuesque. Equally impressive is
"The Thorn" which finds the boat again battling the ocean.
Says Kristine, "The ocean has now become very angry and
so the guys are now heading to America and there is a
storm and the winds are high and they're fighting for their
lives. And the bride is feeling this at home in Norway. And
the fierce ocean is a thorn because of the battle to survive
but she doesn't know if he'll survive this and ever
return."
The song, "Amhran (Song of the Winds)" is interesting in that
it is a vocal-oriented piece with just a few instruments added
after it was recorded a cappella. Kristine made up a new
language of sorts for this song by combining Old English, Old
Norse and a bit of Gaelic.
Most North Americans are just beginning to take notice of
Leaves' Eyes. They have probably become aware of the
band from Kristine's involvement with the Cradle of Filth
song and video, "Nymphetamine," which was nominated for
a Grammy. The rest of the band, Alexander Krull (vocals
and producer and who's also married to Kristine), Mathias
Roderer (Guitar), Thorsten Bauer (Guitar), Chris Lukhaup
(Bass) and Moritz Neuner (Drums & Percussion) actually
make up the German band Atrocity.
There is not one weak part on this record, as all the cuts
stand shoulder to shoulder in their grandeur. This record is a
hands-down winner from beginning to end. If listeners take
the time to listen to the record as a whole rather than a
collection of individual songs, they will find it more than
worth their time. |
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