German-Norwegian symphonic metal band LEAVES' EYES have released their new four-track EP "Song Of Darkness" via Reigning Phoenix Music, continuing the band's longstanding tradition of drawing from Norse mythology and medieval Scandinavian literature for lyrical inspiration. The tracklist includes "Song Of Darkness," "Hall Of The Brave," "Until The Last Day," and "Roots Eternal" — each track offering a distinct facet of the band's sweeping, orchestrally-driven sound.
The title track draws from the medieval Icelandic saga of Gisli the Outlaw, one of the most dramatic and emotionally complex of the Icelandic sagas, telling the story of a man forced into exile after avenging his brother-in-law's murder. LEAVES' EYES translate this ancient tale into a cinematic metal composition featuring layered choral vocals, thundering percussion, and Alexander Krull's contrasting death growls alongside vocalist Elina Siirala's soaring soprano. An accompanying music video for the title track showcases the band performing in atmospheric Nordic landscapes, blending sweeping mountain vistas with dramatic ocean footage.
Siirala celebrates her 10th anniversary with the band this year, having joined in 2016 as the replacement for founding vocalist Liv Kristine. In that decade, she has made the role entirely her own, bringing a powerful operatic range that has expanded the band's sonic palette. LEAVES' EYES have released several acclaimed albums with Siirala at the helm, including "The Last Viking" (2020) and "Myths of Fate" (2023). The EP serves as a bridge between albums, offering fans new material while the band works on their next full-length release, rumored to be a conceptual work centered on the Volsunga saga.