Polski opis

Gatunek :	Gothic Metal
Rok Wydania :	2005
Jakość :	MPC Q8
Ripper :	Blaye

Opis:
Najwyraźniej pani Liv Kristine po dość burzliwym odejściu z Theatre of Tragedy postanowiła choć częściowo powrócić do korzeni. A właściwie do najlepszej płyty ToT - Aegis. Podobna instrumentalizacja, podobny nastrój. Żadnej elektroniki, wyłącznie gitarowe brzmienie, piękny śpiew Liv i growling Alexandra. I tylko melodie jakby dojrzalsze, aranżacje pełniejsze ale czy piękniejsze ?
Rozpoczyna się ten album delikatnym wprowadzaniem, niejako intro zaaranżowanym prawie orkiestrowo z pięknie brzmiącymi skrzypcami i rytmem lekko przypominającym bolero. Dalej jest jednak bardziej gothmetalowo, choć niestety trzeba tez powiedzieć ze dość sztampowo. Przede wszystkim denerwują mnie już wszechobecne chórki a la Within Temptations. Ale na szczęście są tu i takie perełki, jak 'Leaves' Eyes', czy Misseri i one sprawiają, iż album ten nie jest kolejną zapchajdziurą i da się go nawet parę razy pod rząd posłuchać. --Alkor
gothic.pl

 English description

Genre :	Gothic Metal
Year :	2005
Quality :	MPC Q8
Ripper :	Blaye

Description:
"Vinland Saga" is the second release from LEAVES' EYES, and as is the case with their debut disc "Lovelorn", they have produced a majestic, haunting, and thoroughly stunning album. Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (vocals), Mathias Röderer (guitar), Thorsten Bauer (guitar), Chris Lukhaup (bass), Moritz Neuner (drums & percussion) , and Alexander Krull (vocals, programming) combine their talents in truly amazing fashion. Haunting, melodic, beautiful, grand, breathtaking...man, there are so many adjectives that could describe this CD.
Liv Kristine (who is the sister of MIDNATTSOL vocalist Carmen Elise Espenæs) does an amazing job on all of the material on "Vinland Saga". Her vocals are a combination of breathiness, melody, and emotion, with an amazing range. Talent certainly runs deep in that family!
"Vinland Saga", with its haunting, breathy vocals is an amazing album opener - grand and symphonic. The song sets the tone perfectly for what is to come. "Farewell Proud Men" is a bombastic, sort of rocker, and (today) my favorite track on the album. The first single/video is "Elegy", a song that is highlighted again by Liv's amazing vocals. It's a great choice for first single, and the video itself (though not on the disc) is a perfect visual representation of the song. "Solemn Sea" features some nasty, demonic vocals courtesy of Krull. The vocal interplay between the harsh and the haunting brings out another dimension to the band - very theatrical.
The acoustic intro to "Leaves' Eyes" is a nice little breather from the power that is "Solemn Sea". This beautiful ballad not only highlights Liv's amazing voice, but the songwriting as well. You know a song is good when there is only a guitar and vocals present, and it sticks with you. Melody and harmony. Isn't that all you really need? "The Thorn" once again features some really brutal male vocals and the way the two voices work off each other, being so completely opposite yet melding together so seamlessly, is truly stunning - a real metal example of Beauty and the Beast. "Misseri (Turn Green Meadows To Grey)" is mixed really nicely, with the keyboards way back, adding a huge depth to the sound.
The band chang direction with "Amhrán (Song Of The Winds)", a delicate little folksy number but then "New Found Land" gets things moving again in nice fashion. Then another change in direction to "Mourning Tree" is the delicate acoustic guitar and vocals with the keyboards once again playing a very subtle role. "Twilight Sun" and "Ankomst" finish off the disc in fine form, consistent with the rest of the album. There is not one bit of filler to be found on "Vinland Saga" and when the album is over, you'll probably find yourself listening to it again . I did - a couple of times.
The amazing production job is courtesy of Alexander Krull (ATROCITY), who also happens to be married to Liv Kristine. Krull has taken all of the best parts of LEAVES' EYES and brought them front and center, while ensuring the album never sounds over-produced, which can sometimes happen with albums such as this. His touches are subtle, and it's quite obvious the guy has a great ear for music.
"Vinland Saga" is an excellent disc by a truly talented band. If you like music that combines soaring, operatic female vocals with epic music (like NIGHTWISH for example), then you will love LEAVES' EYES. Add this disc to your collection and I promise you won't be disappointed. But I don't think this album will only appeal to those fans that are into the genre. The songwriting, performances, and production help elevate LEAVES'S EYES to a level where a fan of good music will find "Vinland Saga" a triumph.
metaleater.com