LEAVES' EYES is the band form by the ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine and ATROCITY's Alexander Krull. LEAVES' EYES actually started as a project but evolved into a full time band after Liv's departure from THEATRE OF TRAGEDY two albums after the decision to add Industrial elements in the music.
Lovelorn was the firs full length release from the Liv and Alex with a clear Gothic Rock directions. Well, the guitars were not that heavy to add the word 'Metal' besides the Gothic tag. LEAVES' EYES managed to gather a significant fan base around their name and continue on the same musical path with Vinland Saga although it sounded more mainstream with groovy and catchy songs. In these two albums Alex wasn't handling the backing beast-like vocals, but not in all songs, subtracting the potential to sound heavier. As it seems LEAVES' EYES decided to reconsider the additional heaviness and so they created Njord.
Don't misunderstand my saying and expect something too heavy. Well, Alex has taken more time behind the mic and the trademark beauty-and-the-beast vocals are used in a greater extend. This is proven after the lukewarm start of Njord. Then the drums enter with some operatic backing vocals and at last Alex's growling voice. One more thing that I found new for LEAVES' EYES kis the tendency to use more symphonic orchestrations and thus approaching to the prime the NIGHTWISH sound. My Destiny is an excellent evolution to the band's sound. This song is riff driven with a killer guitar sound and more male vocals that are cleaner than the previous growls. It reminded me of SIRENIA in a heavier version that I prefer more. Of course, the groovy Gothic Rock elements are still around with songs like Take The Devil In Me (what a pity for such a Metal song title..), Northbound where Liv uses the vocals found in the previous album or the NIGHTWISH-esque Morgenland. Scarborough Fair is a very nice treat combining some flute melodies, clean guitar arpeggios and almost Irish sounding vocals by Liv. I feel that this song should be the guidance for the LEAVES' EYES' music status because it has a personality of its own without bringing to mind similar sounding bands. The same feeling also applies to Irish Rain and its 'sailing' bagpipe sound even though it is almost a ballad.
I feel with this album the German band re-establishes its musical signature and that from this point and on we will get heavier sound from them. It seems that the marital life has done very good to Alex and Liv that seem to find a more personal artistic direction. Well, I will keep an eye/ear on them since they became more interesting for my taste.