Leaves’ Eyes – Myths of Fate
Release Date: 22nd March 2024
Label: AFM Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Symphonic Metal, Viking Metal, Power Metal, Folk, Traditional Metal.
FFO: Sirena, Epica, Delain, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Xandria.
Review By: Rick Farley
Symphonic metal heavyweights Leaves’ Eyes return with their newest album Myths of Fate, celebrating their twentieth year of existence. This Germany based band highlights why their multifaceted discography is one of symphonic metals most revered collections. Combining everything from Viking metal, folk, goth, and classical music into a traditional heavy metal foundation utilizing both female and male vocals. Releasing March 22nd on AFM records, this record marks their ninth studio album, showing their masterful grasp on the genre.
Myths of Fate is grand in scale, sounding both live and raw. Produced by co-vocalist Alexander Krull, the record is thick and atmospherically beautiful while maintaining extreme clarity between all the elements of the complex music. It has an edginess to it without sounding sugary and overproduced, like you would normally associate with the genre. The orchestral symphonic elements scored by U.S. soundtrack multi-talent Jonah Weingarten were created hand in hand with the metal arrangements, resulting in a creative process that heavily influenced the feel of the record.
Conceptually, Myths of Fate returns to the fantastical worlds created by the band, displaying their talent as storytellers as well as accomplished musicians. Magic creatures, Norse mythology, great battles, and enchanting warrior queens come to life in the lyrics as well as within the five visually stunning music videos the band produced to increase the enjoyment and engagement of the captivating stories told here. Filmed in locations such as Poland, Iceland and Germany, the visuals add another level of immersive depth to the record.
The balance between metallic heaviness and melody is ever present on Myths of Fate, toeing the line with ease between gorgeous harmonies, ripping lead work and hooky guitars. For anyone unfamiliar with the band or just needs a little comparison, think Nightwish, meets Amon Amarth meets Insomnium. The guitars are chuggy and have a battle-ready groove, while the sombre melancholy of Finland lingers in the background and the classical elements give everything a rich symphonic atmosphere.
The incredible voice of front-woman Elina Siirala is operatically powerful, ranging from soaring highs to silky mid-range, her voice is serene, luscious, and full of emotion. The juxtaposition between her and Krull’s Viking metal growls are both serene and brutal. Harsh vocals are not on every track, but there are layers of vocal harmony from both singers and gang style vocals scattered throughout. Everything pairs remarkably well together, enhancing the dynamics of the already infectious swagger of the muscular riffs and vibrant soundscapes.
Leaves’ Eyes is rounded out by Micki Richter and Luc Gebhardt on guitars. Melodic death metal crunch on tracks like Forged by Fire and Sons of Triglav show how heavy the band can be, while Goddess of the Night is a tender example of the mesmerizing nature of acoustics, piano and full-on balladry. The bassist is not credited in the press release, but it’s full sounding, slithering along keeping the bulky walls up. Drummer Joris Nijenhuis seemingly plays exactly what’s needed for each track, ranging from stompy drumbeats to thundering double bass and inventive fills. Tracks like Who Wants to Live Forever highlights his versatility.
Myths of Fate is an incredibly balanced record with twists and turns that all feel connected as a whole. Honestly, it feels like there is a little something here for nearly every kind of metalhead. I do not know where this stands in the discography just yet (I came along somewhere in the middle), but this is a very good record that is quite enjoyable and will give fans of the band and genre little to complain about. 
(4 / 5)
