rozhovor_2015-09-30_Leaves_Eyes_en - HELLMAGAZINE

Hellmagazine mal opäť raz tú česť vyspovedať očarujúcu Liv Kristine, ktorej sme sa rozhodli položiť Hellmagazine had a great pleasure and possibility to talk to Liv Kristine again. This time we decided to ask her some questions about the newest release of her band Leaves´ Eyes, King of Kings.

Hello Liv. So good to have this amazing opportunity to talk to you again. How are you?

I am all good, thank you, very busy doing promotion 24/7 but that is essentially important now they we have King of Kings released just a few days ago.

The newest album is out. Are you satisfied with the result?

I am super happy! We've taken a gigantic step forward when it comes to studio techniques, moreover, we have evolved as band and we are very happy about the amazing support from our new label AFM Records. It feels so good to have their support in the moment of this milestone release in the history of Leaves' Eyes. Moreover, I am so proud that we are still the same team at Mastersound Studio, our own recording studio, and core of the band as we also were in the band's beginnings.

Let´s start discussing the new release. I´m actually interested in all that is related. Can you tell us about the title, lyrics and the whole story that is behind it?

The concept of this album is based on a special event in the 9th century of Norway's history. Amazingly, this happened where I was born and raised. My birthplace and heritage plays a vital role in the band's origin."I grew up by the sea, I played under the sun". These were the first lines of a poem and a song entitled "Norwegian Lovesong" which I wrote some time before the birth of Leaves' Eyes in 2003. These lines happened to play a most significant role in the story of our band. Since our debut album "Lovelorn", I have always felt a deep connection to the history, culture and nature of my home country, Norway.

I was born nearby Hafrsfjord on a freezingly cold day in February. Hafrsfjord is fjord or bay located in the municipalities of Stavanger and Sola in Norway, stretching 9 kilometres. Historically Hafrsfjord is principally known for its association with the Battle of Hafrsfjord (Slaget i Hafrsfjord). The story of our album, "King of Kings", centers around the Battle of Hafrsfjord and Harald Fairhair's siege. Hafrsfjord was a decisive battle, and the fame of Harald's victory was henceforward numbered among the dearest themes of the scald and chronicler in the Middle Ages. The battle paved the way for Harald to gain control over most of the western coast of Norway and rightly call himself king of the country. He placed a Jarl (earl) over each province to govern it. King Harald "Fairhair" is remembered and honoured by medieval historians as the first king of Norway, as in Haraldskvæði. "King of Kings", which was Alex' idea, is a fantastic and breathtaking soundtrack to Harald's history, being the first king unifying greater parts of Norway.

Are you also interested in the history of Vikings?

Absolutely. In my family name "Espenæs" there is even a runic letter. Espenæs was a family in the Viking ages, a farm somewhere in Norway. Since my childhood I've heard and read a lot about the Middle Ages, the Vikings, the sagas and historically related themes. This is also naturally due to the fact that I grew up by Hafrsfjord. For years I've been gathering facts and fictional information about Harald. Just after the release of our former album "Symphonies of the Night" Alex and I came up with this idea about making a soundtrack dedicated to Harald. I am glad nobody else had this idea, especially because this theme and this place (fjord) is connected to me personally.

I´d say that you finally got back to your Norwegian roots. Am I right?

It is a way for me to express my love for my home country, my family, heritage and especially nature.

You collaborated with two very interesting musicians: Simone Simons from Epica and Lindy-Fay Hella from Wardruna. Can you tell us more about the collaborations itself? How was it? How did you actually come up with the idea to work with them on the newest Leaves´ Eyes record?

It was fantastic working with both of them, wonderful ladies, excellent voices!

I know Wardruna and their excellent compositions for the Vikings series. I love her voice and I was very happy to meet her in Bergen during my latest Norway journey. Her voice is so soft and magic, like a fairy answering to my soft voices. Amazing to work with Lindy-Fay! She is just lovely!

It was fantastic working with Simone. Our manners of singing complete in an amazing and powerful way. She is my perfect match for this song! I am happy she had the time to come to Mastersound Studio as she is also a very busy mother now like myself. We are a perfect match!

Other very interesting guests or appearances on the album are London Voices Choir and White Russian Symphony Orchestra. Two quite famous names for music lovers of all genres. Can you comment on the collaboration?

At first we recorded "our own" Full Moon Choirs. The full moon choir consists of myself and a number of highly talented friends. We have sung on all Leaves' Eyes albums and all of us are passionate choir singers. To make this album even more impressive we decided to record a huge professional choir in addition to The Full Moon Choir. Working with The London Voices (Starwars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter) in Angels Studio in London was a unique experience! Alex and I flew to London that sunny April day with 14 kilos of note sheets in our hand luggage!

Moreover, the White Russian Orchestra directed de by Viktor Smolski was also absolutely incredible. Viktor is an insider in metal and classical music. All of them are fantastic musicians and both choir and and orchestra added this special soundtrack feeling to our songs.

Was it maybe difficult to „book“ your band to record with them. I guess they´re quite busy.

They are both extremely busy, however, we were lucky finding a suitable date before the final mix!

King of Kings is the biggest album production-wise to me. Do you agree?

I absolutely agree! It was clear to us from the very beginning that this album would be our biggest and most intense production ever. Moreover, the soundtrack feeling and the concept was a goal that we followed from the very beginning. This is all due to experience and free flow of influence. Also the three of us, Alex, Tosso and I, are three different artists with a lot of experience and a long artistic path. Obviously, King of Kings has, when it comes to concept and thematic choice, a certain connection to our second album, Vinland Saga. However, King of Kings has the greatest and most impressive and epic sound of any of the albums we have released so far.

You´re hitting the stage in a few weeks. Are you preparing something completely new for your live shows supporting the new album?

The show set up will be a secret for now, moreover, it depends on how much space we have on stage, actually, and the financial source to be honest. If we are invited to play with orchestra, choir, folk instruments and the swords in rock monument from my birth place with huge pyros and animation on stage we will certainly do it!

Are you planning to come to Slovakia with this album? We´d love to see you here.

It is in the plans, yes. Let's cross our fingers! We would absolutely love to! You have a superb and crazy metal audience!

Few days ago, you showed a big heart of yours! I´m talking about the beautiful initiative to help Celine, a young girl suffered from leukaemia. How did you get to know about her? How did it actually happen?

Thank you very much. I am a mother myself, and as soon as the major of our city contacted us, asking for help for Celine and her family, we immediately came up with the plan to set one bigger painting of mine on auction for the funding and charity help for Celine. In a few days the person that has bid the highest amount of money will get it, plus a fan edition special box of King of Kings. It is my duty and honour to help a mother wherever I can. I want to help Celine with her dreams coming true!

Do you have any feedback about the money you managed to gather?

Yes, it is going well, I am so grateful towards my metal fans and friends. I know that you are very supportive, kind and warm hearted and you have already stayed by my side for more than 20 years. My dreams of combining family and music has come true. And I owe the biggest thank you from the heart to my fans worldwide.

Final words? Anything to tell to our readers and your fans here in Slovakia?

Thank you for all your support - I hope you like King of Kings! I hope to see you soon!

Love and kisses,

Liv

Added: Dominika Nováková
Added: 30.09.2015