Symphonies of the night

LEAVES’EYES fifth album “Symphonies of the night” has it’s name from Tschaikowski’s symphonies, no wonder there is a lot of orchestra and opera singing. Liv Kristine sings more often in this classical style and she can really compete with trained singers like Tarja.

Dark and powerful. To the roots of symphonic female fronted metal.

First of all: “Symphonies of the night” is a really good album with highlights like ‘Hymn to the lone sands’ and the title track. Unfortunately, there is no new direction in which the music leads the listener. On every album before, LEAVES’EYES had a golden threat like folk influence on the latest album “Meredead”, symphonic bombast on “Njord” and so on, but “Symphonie of the night” combines the other albums without having a typical sound.

Beautiful stories!

The only innovating touch is that there are more heavy elements. Guitar and drums are a little more in the foreground than before. First impression is already the opener ‘Hell to the heavens’. LEAVES’EYES always have touching stories in their songs – also on this album with ‘Angel and the ghost’. One of the best songs! It combines tragedy, heaviness, great growl parts and dramatic opera voice – the variation in the orchestra warrants the album title even though, it’s a four minute song.

Enchanting.

The album in total is very dark but also contains beautiful ballads like ‘Ophelia’. ‘Fading earth’ is composed like a pop song – should work very good live with all the guitars and a chorus you can sing along. Liv Kristine and her band created a beautiful album which leads LEAVES’EYES more into metal sound. There are no surprises or new elements on “Symphonies of the night”, but it’s one of those albums only a great band can release. All these laments are those already enjoying high standards. Great music, great voice, great album.

Tracklist:

01. Hell to the heavens
02. Fading Earth
03. Maid of Lorraine
04. Galswintha
05. Symphony of the night
06. Saint Cecilia
07. Hymn to the lone sands
08. Angel and the ghost
09. Eleonore de Provence
10. Nightshade
11. Ophelia