Leaves' Eyes

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Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox musical artist Leaves' Eyes is a symphonic metal band based in Germany,<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> formed in 2003 by Liv Kristine (ex Theatre of Tragedy) and Alexander Krull (Atrocity). Kristine departed in 2016 and was succeeded by Elina Siirala. The band has released nine studio albums, a live album and DVD as well several singles and EPs.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Formation and Lovelorn (2003–2005)

Liv Kristine performed with the band Theatre of Tragedy from its formation in 1993 and featured on first five albums by the band.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She met Krull in the mid 1990s,<ref name="musictap">Template:Cite web</ref> and they married in 2003.<ref name=":3" /> The same year, they formed Leaves' Eyes after Kristine was dismissed from Theatre of Tragedy and enlisted members from Krull's band Atrocity.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Signed to Napalm Records,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> they began recording their debut album, Lovelorn.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The concept behind the album was based upon a treatment written by Kristine during her literature studies.<ref name=":4" /> The album was preceded by the single "Into the Light" in April 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band toured as support to Atrocity in Europe throughout the year,<ref name=":4" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and appeared at the Summer Breeze and Wave Gotik Treffen festivals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

By the end of the year drummer Martin Schmidt had left both outfits,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with Moritz Neuner hired as a replacement.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vinland Saga and Njord (2005–2011)

File:Leaves Eyes Liv Kristine and Alexander Krull at Henkersfest Stuttgart July 2007.jpg
Liv Kristine and Alexander Krull, the band's founders

One year after Lovelorn, Leaves' Eyes released their follow-up album, Vinland Saga, in 2005, inspired by Viking explorer Leif Eriksson.<ref name=":5" /> The album's single, Elegy, charted in Germany for four consecutive weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band continued to tour, mostly as support act, to for instance Subway To Sally and Paradise Lost.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band embarked on their first tour of North America,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which suffered some cancellations after an accident with their bus in Detroit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A companion EP Legend Land was released in July 2006,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which charted in Germany.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite web</ref> The band did a headlining tour around the UK and Northern Europe,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and toured South America for the first time.<ref name=":7" />

The band continued to tour in 2007, including North America as support to Kamelot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They also performed at several festivals, including the Metal Female Voices Festival, which was filmed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

By the end of the year it was announced that both Neuner and bassist Chris Lukhaup had left the band.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Drummer Nick Barker joined the band for live dates during 2008,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but left by the summer,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with Alex Holzwarth as a temporary replacement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2008, Chris Antonopoulos joined the band on drums,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while Alla Fedynitch was recruited on bass.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite web</ref> As the band had been writing and recording their third album Njord for much of 2007, Fedynitch did not yet feature on the recordings. Instead, the main composer Thorsten Bauer contributed most to the songs.<ref name=":8" />

In February 2009,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the band released a 2 disc DVD featuring We Came with the Northern Winds tour documentary,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as the 2007 En Saga i Belgia concert with a double live album.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Released in July,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the EP My Destiny charted in France.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album Njord appeared in August of that year,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and was described as "a sweeping, epic album" with "many alluring charms".<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album features the Lingua Mortis Orchestra conducted by Victor Smolski and a cover of the English folk ballad "Scarborough Fair".<ref name=":6" />

The band toured in support of the album, while bassist Fedynitch was replaced by Oliver Holzwarth due to suffering an injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She made her last appearance with the band during an acoustic set at the 2009 Metal Female Voices Festival,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and was replaced by JB van der Wal a year later.<ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref>

In January 2010, guitarist Mathias Röderer left the band, and was replaced by Sander van der Meer,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while in March drummer Antonopoulos resigned.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was replaced by Roland Navratil,<ref name=":9">Template:Cite web</ref> before the band toured as support Kamelot again around Europe and North America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2010 the band released an expanded version of Njord that included the EP At Heaven's End.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Meredead and Symphonies of the Night (2011–2015)

After the personnel changes, the band began recording new material in the middle of 2010.<ref name=":9" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2011, Leaves' Eyes released their fourth studio album, Meredead.<ref name=":10" /> The record emphasised the 'varied folk elements' that featured on previous albums nad included a cover of "To France".<ref name=":3" />

The 2011 EP Melusine was a special release in collaboration with the German magazine Sonic Seducer.

In an interview with Valkyrian Music, Leaves' Eyes announced they had begun writing material for their fifth studio album, which they aimed to release in spring 2013.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> On January 7, 2013, the band announced on their official Facebook page that the title of their fifth studio album would be Symphonies of the Night.

On May 9, 2013, the band announced that the vocal recordings were complete and that Alexander Krull had begun mixing the album. The band premiered the first new song from the album, titled "Hell to the Heavens," at the Summer Breeze Festival.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

The artwork for the new album was released on August 26, 2013. A few days later, the band released a video announcing that they would be performing at Metal Female Voices Fest 2013. A teaser of the studio version of "Hell to the Heavens" was also included in the video.

King of Kings and departure of Liv Kristine (2015–2016)

Leaves' Eyes stated in 2015 that they would release a new album titled King of Kings, which would feature the London Voices choir and guest vocals by Simone Simons of Epica.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This album would also be their first release on AFM Records after parting ways with their longtime label, Napalm Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> King of Kings is a concept album centered around the sagas of Norway's first king, Harald Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre).

In an interview with Sonic Cathedral webzine, Liv Kristine discussed her inspiration for the album:

The nicest thing for me is that it is said in the sagas that Harald became the first king of Norway after he won a battle that took place in one of the Norwegian fjords called Hafrsfjord. You know, that is a very important place—not only for the history of Norway—but also for me, because I was born there. So, this album is a concept album, but it's also a very personal album.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

The first official video from King of Kings is for the track "The Waking Eye," which was filmed in Norway (for the background scenes) and in Germany (for the action scenes).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> The Viking reenactment group Værjaborg supplied over 40 members for the battle and action sequences.<ref name=":1" /> Leaves' Eyes considers "The Waking Eye" to be their most ambitious video to date.<ref name=":0" />

On April 15, 2016, the band announced they had parted ways with lead vocalist and co-founder Liv Kristine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since then, both parties have provided different accounts of how the split occurred, with the band stating that the decision regarding Kristine's departure was made in January.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While the band initially stated that it had been a mutual decision, Kristine disputed this claim, indicating she was dismissed and that it was not her decision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Arrival of Elina Siirala and Sign of the Dragonhead (2016–2019)

On April 15, 2016, the band announced Finnish singer Elina Siirala as their new lead vocalist.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Siirala made her debut with the band on April 18, 2016, at the Hammersonic Festival in Jakarta. A tour edition of the album King of Kings was released on June 3, 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 7, 2016, the band released the EP "Fires in the North," which featured a brand new song as well as three re-recorded tracks from King of Kings with Siirala on vocals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the release of the EP, the band embarked on a North American tour in support of Sabaton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 27, 2017, the band announced their new album, Sign of the Dragonhead.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The same day the album was announced, the title track was released as the lead single.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The song "Across the Sea" was released as the album's second single on December 31, 2017, with an accompanying music video.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band released "Jomsborg" as the album's third single on January 11, 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sign of the Dragonhead was released on January 12, 2018. The band toured throughout Europe in support of the album, and on August 30, 2018, they released the song "Riders on the Wind" as the album's fourth and final single. The music video for the song featured footage from the Sign of the Dragonhead tour.<ref name="metaladdicts.com">Template:Cite web</ref> On September 7, 2018, a tour edition of Sign of the Dragonhead was released, which included the "Riders on the Wind" physical single.<ref name="metaladdicts.com"/>

The Last Viking, departure of Thorsten Bauer and Myths of Fate (2020–present)

The Last Viking was released on October 23, 2020. The album continued the trend toward folk metal and historical lyrics. On May 23, 2021, the band announced the addition of bassist Andre Nasso.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:User-generated source</ref> On December 29, 2021, it was announced that Thorsten Bauer would leave the band by the end of 2021.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:User-generated source</ref>

On December 9, 2023, the band revealed the title of their ninth studio album, Myths of Fate, which was released on March 22, 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Style

Most of Leaves' Eyes' lyrics, written by Liv Kristine until her departure in 2016, focus on Norse mythology and the Viking Age and have frequently incorporated naturalistic themes.<ref name=":2" /> This also features in the stage set-up.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The melodic vocals of Liv Kristine and her successor, Elina Siirala, are occasionally complemented by death growl vocals from Krull.

Band members

Current
Live
  • Oliver Holzwarth – bass (2009)
  • Niels Löffler – bass (2011–2015)
  • Gijs Coolen – bass (2015–2016)
  • Ferry Duijsens – bass (2016–2020)
Former
  • Thorsten Bauer – guitars, bass (2003–2021)
  • Liv Kristine Espenæs – lead vocals (2003–2016)
  • Mathias Röderer – guitars (2003–2010)
  • Chris Lukhaup – bass (2003–2007)
  • Martin Schmidt – drums (2003–2004)
  • Nick Barker – drums (2004–2008)
  • Moritz Neuner – drums (2005–2007)
  • Alla Fedynitch – bass (2007–2010)
  • Seven Antonopoulos – drums (2008–2010)
  • Sander van der Meer – guitars (2010–2015)
  • J.B. van der Wal – bass (2010–2013)
  • Roland Navratil – drums (2010–2012)
  • Felix Born – drums (2012–2013)
  • Pete Streit – guitars (2015–2019)

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:60 top:10 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2003 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2003 ScaleMinor = increment:2 start:2004

Colors = 

  id:vocals value:red   legend:Lead_vocals
  id:guitar value:green   legend:Guitars
  id:bass value:blue   legend:Bass
  id:drums value:orange   legend:Drums
  id:keys value:purple   legend:Keyboards
  id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_albums
  id:Live  value:gray(0.45) legend:Live_albums
  id:bars value:gray(0.92)

BarData = 

  bar:Liv text:"Liv Kristine"
  bar:Elina text:"Elina Siirala"
  bar:Bauer text:"Thorsten Bauer"
  bar:Mathias text:"Mathias Röderer"
  bar:Meer text:"Sander van der Meer"
  bar:Pete text:"Pete Streit"
  bar:Micki text:"Micki Richter"
  bar:Luc text:"Luc Gebhardt"
  bar:Chris text:"Chris Lukhaup"
  bar:Alla text:"Alla Fedynitch"
  bar:Wal text:"J.B. Van der Wal"
  bar:Nasso  text:"Andre Nasso"
  bar:Martin text:"Martin Schmidt"
  bar:Barker text:"Nick Barker"
  bar:Neuner text:"Moritz Neuner"
  bar:Seven text:"Seven Antonopoulos"
  bar:Roland text:"Roland Navratil"
  bar:Born text:"Felix Born"
  bar:Joris text:"Joris Nijenhuis"
  bar:Alex text:"Alexander Krull"

PlotData = 

  width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
  bar:Liv from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2016 color:vocals
  bar:Elina from:01/01/2016 till:end color:vocals
  bar:Bauer from:01/01/2003 till:12/31/2021 color:guitar
  bar:Bauer from:01/01/2013 till:12/31/2021 color:bass width:3
  bar:Meer from:01/01/2010 till:01/31/2015 color:guitar
  bar:Pete from:01/31/2015 till:01/01/2019 color:guitar
  bar:Micki from:01/01/2019 till:end color:guitar
  bar:Luc from:09/22/2022 till:end color:guitar
  bar:Mathias from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2010 color:guitar
  bar:Chris from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2007 color:bass
  bar:Alla from:01/01/2007 till:01/01/2010 color:bass
  bar:Wal from:01/01/2010 till:01/01/2013 color:bass
  bar:Nasso from:01/01/2022 till:end color:bass
  bar:Martin from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2004 color:drums
  bar:Barker from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2005 color:drums
  bar:Neuner from:01/01/2005 till:01/01/2007 color:drums
  bar:Barker from:01/01/2007 till:01/01/2008 color:drums
  bar:Seven from:01/01/2008 till:01/01/2010 color:drums
  bar:Roland from:01/01/2010 till:01/01/2012 color:drums
  bar:Born from:01/01/2012 till:01/09/2013 color:drums
  bar:Joris from:01/09/2013 till:end color:drums
  bar:Alex from:01/01/2003 till:end color:keys

LineData = 

  at:05/26/2004 color:Studio layer:back
  at:05/30/2005 color:Studio layer:back
  at:08/26/2009 color:Studio layer:back
  at:04/22/2011 color:Studio layer:back
  at:02/27/2009 color:Live layer:back
  at:11/15/2013 color:Studio layer:back
  at:09/11/2015 color:Studio layer:back
  at:01/12/2018 color:Studio layer:back
  at:10/23/2020 color:Studio layer:back
  at:03/22/2024 color:Studio layer:back

</timeline>

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
GER
<ref name="ger">Template:Cite web</ref> 		SWI
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 		BEL (FL)
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 		BEL (WA)
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 		US
Heat
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Lovelorn * Released: May 26, 2004 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> — — — — —
Vinland Saga * Released: May 30, 2005 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 62 — — — —
Njord * Released: August 26, 2009 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 30 88 58 82 — * US: 2,200+<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Meredead * Released: April 22, 2011 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 32 — 97 — 37 * US: 990+<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Symphonies of the Night * Released: November 15, 2013 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, LP, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 49 — 172 124 18
King of Kings * Released: September 11, 2015 * Label: AFM Records * Formats: CD, LP, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 15 54 90 130 52
Sign of the Dragonhead * Released: January 12, 2018 * Label: AFM Records * Formats: CD, LP, digital download 21 33 189 — —
The Last Viking * Released: October 23, 2020 * Label: AFM Records * Formats: CD, LP, digital download 28 62 — — —
Myths of Fate * Released: March 22, 2024 * Label: AFM Records * Formats: CD, LP, digital download — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
GER
<ref name="ger"/>
We Came with the Northern
Winds: En Saga i Belgia 		* Released: February 27, 2009 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, DVD 75
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Title Album details
Into Your Light * Released: August 3, 2004 — * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> —
Elegy * Released: May 2, 2005 76 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> —
Legend Land * Released: June 9, 2006 75 * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD —
My Destiny * Released: July 24, 2009 — * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 54
At Heaven's End * Released: April 9, 2010 — * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download —
Melusine * Released: April 19, 2011 — * Label: Napalm Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> —
Fires in the North * Released: October 8, 2016 — * Label: AFM Records * Formats: CD, digital download —
Black Butterfly * Released: November 22, 2019 — * Label: AFM Records * Formats: CD, digital download —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

Year Title Directed Album
2004 "Into Your Light" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Lovelorn
2005 "Elegy" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Vinland Saga
2006 "Legend Land" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Legend Land
2009 "My Destiny" Patric Ullaeus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Njord
2010 "Take the Devil in Me" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
2011 "To France" Patric Ullaeus<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Meredead
2013 "Hell to the Heavens"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Symphonies of the Night
2015 "Symphony of the Night (feat. Maite Itoiz – Spanish Version)" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
2015 "Halvdan the Black" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} King of Kings
2015 "The Waking Eye" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
2016 "Edge of Steel" check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

References

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