Search - Leaves' Eyes :: Vinland Saga (Ltd. Ed.)

Absolutely Fantastic Album

Paula | California, USA | 10/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love everything about this album. This is the second album from Leaves' Eyes, and they have a richly developed sound and style.



This is a concept album. The story is based on history, but embelished to include the love story of a crew member on Leif Ericson's Viking ship and his wife, who waits for him.



You can download a video for the song "Elegy" from the Leaves' Eyes website leaveseyes.de which will give you a feel for this album. My personal favorites from this album, however, are "Farewell Proud Men," which begins with the sound of a Viking battle horn, and "Twilight Sun," which shows off Liv Kristine's amazing vocal abilities.



In addition to being awesome musicians, the members of Leaves' Eyes are also very loyal to their fans. They tour extensively world-wide, and take time to visit personally with fans."

Amazing artist

Matthew | Canada | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I encountered Vineland Saga quite by chance and was amazed at their ability to mix Liv Kristine Espenæs amazing vocal talent with a totally unheard of brand of gothic rock. I absolutly adored this CD and I think that to anyone who has appreciation for melodic rock or a beautiful singing voice to amazing rock music would adore this CD too. The CD seems to tell a story (although lyrics are hard to come by online) and that just adds an extra element of interest to it."

Even the word Masterpiece fails to describe how great this C

Ocean_villa | 01/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me make one assertion now. I may give a CD five stars, I may say I love a CD, but rarely, if ever, do I associate the word masterpiece with an album. In this case, this word fails to describe how amazing it is. I bought "Vinland Saga" after being impressed by the sound samples on Amazon. Being a fan of Liv Kristine's vocals in previous works (ToT and solo projects) also added to the inclination to buy the album. I had very high expectations.



Let me tell you, dear reader, that this album threw those expectations out the window. I listened to the entire CD without skipping a track - twice in a row. I usually never listen to a CD twice like that, much less love every single track. There's no filler music here, no tracks that hold back the power of the band. There's just raw talent. There's power, emotion, sweeping instrumentals, and much much more. It's obvious this band has a love for what they do. It shows. After many subsequent listens, "Vinland Saga" still never fails to captivate me.



The songs all revolve around the Vikings, which is an interesting element. What makes it so great is that there are layers: both vocally and instrumentally. None of the songs have weak lyrics, even when Liv sings about the painful separation of a husband and wife as he goes to the New World. The lyrics are not generic or repetitive - instead they are heart-felt and emotional. Each song changes in style and lyrics, sweeping the listener along with it. When Liv sings in Norwegian on some of the tracks, it just adds to the wonder of the song, the fantasy, and the story being told. Amazingly enough, she can switch the tone, pitch, and even sound of her voice in a second to match what's being sung. Quite impressive to say the least. This woman has immense talent. I can easily make the assertion that with such a vocal range and great voice, she is truely one of the best symphonic metal singers out there.



Instrumentally, the songs are all different. None of them sound the same; but they are all great in their own right. With dually layered instrumentals, there are multiple melodies all rolled into one song - so much so that you find yourself discovering new things about the music at each listen. It's never stale, never boring. This is including the bonus tracks: Heal and For Amelie, which just add to the wonder of the album.



The CD Booklet is layered with lovely landscape photos as well as lyrics to the song. It's obvious that the band put effort into making it. (This is one thing I always enjoy. The CD Booklet is the first thing I look at.)



I would go on and on, even reviewing each song if I could. But that wouldn't even begin to do justice to the album. Some may write off the band as another standard female-fronted one; but they're sadly missing out on one of the best bands out there at the moment. Leaves' Eyes has created one of the best CDs I have ever heard. And I don't make that assertion very often.



Highly, Highly recommended. This was what music was made for."