Symphonic metal outfit Leaves Eyes recently unleashed their new studio album Myths Of Fate via AFM Records.
With Myths Of Fate, the group set sails for new winds that blow from the harsh shallows of the symphonic metal genre. The fantastic world of legends from Norse and Eastern European mythology is the setting for monumental entertainment as the group unleashes a world of magical places, spellbound weapons, or supernatural creatures.
Speaking about their latest offering vocalist Elina Siirala said: “I feel like this is the best album vocally for me. I’m really satisfied with the result and so far, all the feedback to our singles has been great. And I think people can also hear there’s a difference with my vocal and also with the music.” She adds: “With the topics of this album, we wanted to go a little bit more into this mystical magical side of the lyrical context. So, it’s not so much about these battles and historical things now. And then we had Jonah making these orchestrations for us. Making the sound is very cinematic I would say, it’s a little bit more symphonic maybe. But there’s also variety. There are some more rocky songs, I would say. And then, of course, I wrote a song for the album – In Eternity. And I love how it turned out with the band arrangement and everything. So yeah, it’s just really exciting.”
The group’s latest release marks their ninth studio album and their 20th year of existence. Speaking about their musical milestones, Elina said: “I joined the band in 2016. So, it’s been almost eight years now for me as well. And when I’m looking at the band and its history, it’s very admirable I would say. All the achievements that have been made and all the albums, the great music, all the tours. And the part that I have been in, I can only be grateful for it. I mean, I’ve got to tour the world making lots of new music, and meeting so many people. And of course, this album is now the right way to celebrate this milestone for the band and also going back on the road finally and playing live again.”
The artwork on the band’s new album illustrates perfectly the title Myths of Fate. “If you look at the album cover, it has these three Norns that are the weavers of fate – past, present, and future. It goes all over, from mythical creatures to objects, people, and goddesses. It’s a mix of fate and it covers all kinds of interesting topics. So, it’s not a concept album. But it is a good representation of what’s in the album.”
Elina wrote the song In Eternity for the band’s new album. “It’s a special song that goes back to 2022. It was January, and I came back from Alex’s mom’s funeral, unfortunately. So, it wasn’t a very happy occasion. Often when I write music, it comes out of something strong happening in my life. And yeah, this was no exception. And I sat on the piano, and I was really thinking of various things. For me, the song is basically a kind of dialogue between her and the people who are left behind. So basically, the people who are always left behind and the person who left,” explains Elina. “And it’s the feeling of peace and understanding, going through all the emotions of when we lose someone. It can be, I don’t know, fury or anger, it can be sadness, of course, and all these kinds of things. And the lyrics if you listen to it, it goes through these things kind of going into her world and our world. And then it’s this tribute to our ancestors. And also, this in eternity what happens actually when we leave? Then I made this synth vocal demo of the song and then the band arranged a whole band version of it, and I love how it turned out.”
With the lyrical context of the band’s songs revolving around subjects such as Norse and Eastern mythology, how much do the band find those topics of interest outside of their musical world? “I can only speak for myself. And I know also, of course, I can speak for Alex a little bit, because I know that he’s very immersed in this whole Viking area, also the reenactment scene, he’s very interested in history. And of course, this topic in particular. Also, his family roots go into this direction and everything so he’s like the expert,” explains Elina. “But of course, he also reads, and he researches a lot of these lyrics and topics. And for me, it’s fascinating to learn all the stories that I’ve probably never heard about most of them and then getting to sing them and getting musically into this world as well. And I’ve seen it of course, through the Viking scene, as well, we’ve filmed now also a couple of videos, they help us always and it’s really nice to work and see the passion that goes into it all and how it’s really authentic, it’s not like some role-playing. It’s really authentic stuff that they do and very skilled.”
Aside from Leaves Eyes, Elina also has her band, Angel Nation. Speaking about the current state of play with the group, she said: “It’s already two years since Antares was released, our third album – time goes so quickly. Of course, we were playing after the album came out. We played in the UK; we played in Europe as well. And I don’t live in the UK anymore. And then Brexit didn’t help so much. I have to say, it’s just really difficult in general to be a touring band at this time, I’m not going to lie. And then of course, last year I had to focus on Leaves Eyes, finishing the album. And now we are here. So of course, I’m hoping to have the time and energy also to push Angel Nation again. And we will all, of course, love to play again. And it’s the project for me that started everything. So, all the people who helped me on the way with that band have helped me to be where I am now. So, I’m very grateful for that. And it’s where I get to pour my musical craziness out. So yeah, of course, it’s close to my heart.”
But with their new album in the bag, all signs for Leaves Eyes point to the road. “The whole band is concentrated now on this tour,” she says. “Of course, we all hope that great things will happen. Plans were there already years ago and got kind of postponed and postponed and postponed. So hopefully now is the time that all the plans are finally coming to reality. And we get to play in the summer and the rest of the year more.”
Myths of Fate, the new album from Leaves Eyes is out now via AFM Records.
Words by Adam Kennedy
Photo Credit: Press Provided
