Leaves' Eyes - Vinland Saga
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CD Details
Artist: Leaves' EyesEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-07-19
Music Label: Napalm
Product features:
- LEAVES EYES VINLAND SAGA
- Vinland Saga
- Farewell Proud Men
- Elegy
- Solemn Sea
- LeavesÂ? Eyes
- The Thorn
- Misseri (Turn Green Meadows Into Grey)
- Amhrán (Song Of The Winds)
- New Found Land
- Mourning Tree
- Twilight Sun
- Ankomst
Music reviews of Vinland Saga
Music Review: Was it THAT good?
Rating: 3 Stars
So here it is. The much anticipated sophomore release from the new German/Norwegian band Leaves Eyes, featuring the vocals of the ex-Theatre of Tragedy vocalist, Liv Kristine. The album is mainly a concept album, revolving around Ancient, Norwegian history.
It's pretty surprising how good of review this CD has been getting, when in reality it is nothing than your standard, run-of-the mill rock album (It's ROCK, by the way, NOT METAL). With dull uninspired, droning guitar ballads that seem to be about half the album, and gruff vocalist Alex ruining the heavier tracks with his "AKLUDSFOISDNF" growl. But he's only in two songs (Well, 2 and 1/2) songs so it's not that big of a problem.
The album begins with the title track, "Vinland Saga.", which is nothing more than a synth and Liv sounding like she's hypnotized. Let's get one thing straight here, starting an album with a ballad is a BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD idea. When you start an album, you have to set the mood for an album, which here is appropriately done, but it does not give the listener a sense to want to keep listening.
The album does thake a good turn on the second song, "Farewell Proud Men", an epic song with booming drums at the begining, and even a choir was added. Livs voice soars softly (Oxymoron, I know) over the heavy guitars, leading into a short accoustic guitar solo. After a sense of confidence, the album leads into the retro, electronicy "Elegy", which is also the single off the album. As mentioned earlier, the song has sort of a funky, retro feel to it, but the "This is my part kills it. Liv holding an off-key note is not the most pleasent sound ever.
"Solemn Sea" starts with a passage spoken in Norwegian, then leads into somewhat of a duet between Liv and Alex. Now this could have been a REALLY GOOD song, but Alex ruins it. Mind you, I've got no problem with growling, it worked perfecting when Liv was in ToT, but let's face it, if you can understand what Alex is saying, then you should be recruited as a courtroom translator (Heh :) ).
"Leaves Eyes" is a ballad as dull as a Lightbulb from the Dull factory in Dullsville. 'Nuff said.
"The Thorn" is in the same situation as "Solemn Sea" it could have been an EXCELLENT song, but ALex butchers it. In this one, it almost made me mad because it was a great, I mean GREAT idea for a song. The chorus is a duet between the two, and on the last time singing the chorus, Liv sings Alex's part and Alex sings (Growls) Livs part.
"Turn Green Meadow into Grey" is alright. It's pretty good the first few times, but quickly loses it's listenability. "Song of the Winds" is completely pointless. The instrumental, song on the Xylophone was obviously just put in the album to make it longer.
The song fades into the begining of "New Found Land", a mid-tempo song, with Alex doing his now singnature yell in the chorus everytime Liv sings a line. It is pretty obvious what is wrong with this song, so it will not be stated. "Mourning Tree" is basically just another version of "Leaves Eyes" (The band, not the song). One was enough, why did they have to write TWO???
"Twilight Sun" erases these emotions though, and is the best off the album. The jumpy piano intro gives the listener the idea that it'll be a cheesy, ballet performance song, but once it reaches the chorus, it is anything but. "Twilight Sun" is another epic song, with Liv reaching ridicuously high notes, only this time she doesn't go off key. "Ankmost" is a rather unfortuneate way to conclude the album, being just another sleepy ballad.
Altogether, the album wasn't AWFUL, but it certainly isn't what the other reviewers are saying. The band has talent, Liv is a great singer, and the whole band has songwriting capabilities, which unfortunately here, aren't shown. Whether the next album will show off these capabilities, or will just be another insomnia cure is the question that remains looking for an answer. I have not heard the debut, "Lovelorn" yet, but I have heard from various sources that this is much better, and I will try to keep a positive attitude and think that this is not a good representation of the band. I would suggest buying the "Elegy" EP before buying the album, to know how the album will sound. Some did like this album, which is understandable, but remember that when it comes to bands with female singers, I am anything but picky, and even if I do not like an album, I try to look for the best in it even if it's not my thing.
If you want a substitue, buy Liv's lil sis's bands debut "Where Twilight Dwells" by Midnattsol or "Dark Clouds in a Perfect Sky", by the band Elis, also friends of Leaves Eyes
Description of Vinland Saga
Led by ex-Theatre of Tragedy front-woman Liv Kristine, Leaves? Eyes return with their second and hotly anticipated album, Vinland Saga. Lush and layered, melodious and mesmerizing, yet with the added muscle of metal, Liv and company show the likes of Evanescence and Lacuna Coil how female-fronted hard rock/metal should be done. A classic?s been born, with tons of crossover potential.Alternative Rock CDs
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