LEAVES’ EYES Album Review: “The Last Viking”

LEAVES’ EYES
“THE LAST VIKING”
Album Review by Syl Pdll

9/10

England, 1066. The decisive battle at Stamford Bridge. A battle to the death in which the King of Norway Harald III also called “the tough ruler” lies dying. His whole life passes before his eyes: cruel wars, struggles for power, journeys to exotic worlds leading powerful women, emperors and kings falling into ruins. The last Viking king is dead – The age of the Vikings is over.

It’s interesting when the metal scene appropriates historical events and transforms them into music like Leaves’ Eyes. This German band will present their latest album entitled “The Last Viking” in which they take up this historical part through majestic musical pieces oriented towards symphonic metal.

“Death Of A King” is the introductory piece of this album fulfilling the function of transferring us in time and space to the time in which this historical event is taking place. It is an instrumental song that has some orchestral arrangements supported by the sound of the drums and in which the voices of Alexander Krull and Elina Siirala can be appreciated.

One of the advances that were published on this album was “Chain Of The Golden Horn” which contains a solid rhythmic base that is accompanied in the introduction by a series of choral arrangements that open Elina Siirala in the execution of a lyrical voice that it pleases the ear and contrasts with the guttural voices of Alexander Krull. It is a song that works quite well as a promotional single by taking back the influence of folk metal and has a catchy chorus that will catch your attention.

“War Of The Kings” is one of the most ambitious songs on this album due to the amount of elements that are included creating a musical piece worthy of a movie: A male choral support that tries to emulate the soldiers who are prepared to go to the war, the narration of Elina Siirala using a lyrical voice at its highest level and presenting those contrasting accents thanks to Alexander Krull in combination with the orchestra to which a guitar solo is added in the highest climax part of the song. It’s undoubtedly a great job on the part of the band.

The next song is “Black Butterfly” with the collaboration of Clémentine Delauney (Vision of Atlantis) in which both show their vocal abilities using high-pitched voice tones that complement each other, in addition to the presence of guttural voices. in the chorus and in specific parts of the song. Unlike its predecessors, the instrumentation was dominated by symphonic arrangements. A collaboration that had generated anticipation and that has been worth the wait.

“Serpents And Dragons” presents some characteristic elements of symphonic metal such as the choral parts and the lyrical voices of Elina Siirala, however, in instrumental terms it shows an inclination towards power / speed metal which is appreciated as it brings more variety to the album. Joris Nijenhuis’s drumming is wonderful, in addition to the work Thorsten Bauer and Micki Richter do on guitars. A greater presence of the gutturals is denoted without diminishing the prominence of the female vocalist, it has become one of the obligatory songs on this album.

“Dark Love Empress” was another advance on this album and shows the classic sound of the band itself that has been strengthened over the years. I like the way each of the musical instruments and orchestral arrangements complement each other creating a unique synergy. Elina Siirala shines completely in this song for her interpretation, showing a more melodic side.

A male voice introduces us to “Two Kings One Realm”, a short song that is presented as an interlude within the concept developed by Alexander Krull where the orchestral arrangements are complemented by the drums, in addition to appreciating the voice of Elina Siirala , getting ready for the last part of this album.

“For Victory” has a beginning that recovers symphonic metal in its most classic sense, reminding us of other exponents of the scene such as Epica, and a slight influence of folk metal is perceived, later, a change of sound is generated where the guitars acquire prominence through a series of riffs that are combined with the notes of the violin and a more rhythmic and catchy melody is generated. Both male and female vocal performance is good.

In the case of “Varangians” the dominant instrument is the bagpipe, generating that feeling of uncertainty considering the plot that the band has portrayed throughout this album, however, it is one of the band’s most rhythmic songs showing an orientation towards folk metal fused with symphonic metal that has become a hallmark of their sound. Alexander Krull acquires greater prominence in the vocal interpretation unlike Elina Siirala, intervening in the chorus. Without a doubt, it is another of the songs that has surprised me from the band and that I like a lot.

“Serkland” continues with the folk atmosphere generated from the previous song, but the presence of symphonic metal is more present, and the female role is retaken in the vocal part and that contrast is generated again in specific parts with the inclusion of guttural voices. The execution of the percussions stands out when generating those accents in the chorus through the game with the cymbals generating greater dynamism in the song.

“Night Of The Ravens” shows a darker setting compared to the other songs on the album. The vocal performance is softer and melodic, the chorus of which stands out for the majesty of the choral arrangements, denoting greater drama to the song. It is a great success for the band to experiment with different sounds related to symphonic metal, since that forces them to reinvent themselves and get out of their comfort zone achieving a good result.

“Flames In The Sky” presents a series of chords similar to those of other songs on this album, so it does not add something new to this work. However, I highlight Elina Siirala’s vocal versatility when experimenting with lower tones. A theme that broadly encompasses the musical proposal of this album and that could work well as a single.

Approaching the final part of this album, we find other of the band’s darkest songs: “Break Into The Sky Of Aeon” that presents some chords typical of doom and gothic metal, completely moving away from the musical style that them has characterized through the years. Elina Siirala’s voice is completely lyrical and combines perfectly with the gutturals of Alexander Krull, I am pleased that the band took a risk on this song and recovered the essence of gothic metal that distinguished them at the beginning of their career.

“The Last Viking” is the last chapter in this story that revolves behind King Harald III. It begins with the bass notes of the horn simulating the call to battle and to which the sound of drums and guitars are added to give way to the lyrical voice of Elina Siirala and the gutturals of Alexander Krull, the latter showing a more interpretation. close to black / death metal. One aspect in favor of this song are the different sound changes that occur throughout it, generating different sensations and that illustrate with great precision the final chapter that consists of the war process and the last hours of the main character. A brilliant performance by each of the members of the band in regard to the instrumental and the vocal.

Leaves ’Eyes confirms its place as one of the exponents of symphonic metal worldwide. The Last Viking is one of his most ambitious albums of his career due to the amount of elements that we can find in each of his songs: majestic orchestral arrangements, that combination of lyrical and guttural voices that add dynamism and theatricality to the album along with a well accomplished execution on guitars, drums and bass. The influence of other musical genres related to metal is present and they create an interesting combination that is worth listening to and that does not disappoint.

TRACKLIST

Death Of A King
Chain Of The Golden Horn
War Of Kings
Black Butterfly (feat. Clémentine Delauney)
Serpents And Dragons
Dark Love Empress
Two Kings One Realm
For Victory
Varangians
Serkland
Night Of The Ravens
Flames In The Sky
Break Into The Sky Of Aeon
The Last Viking

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