Myths of Fate is the ninth album by German symphonic metal quintet Leaves’ Eyes. There is a fair degree of musical diversity on this album: we hear Nordic folk, death metal, tribal drums, and symphonic samples that make for an interesting listen without sounding exorbitant. “Forged by Fire” commences with a riveting string sample that is accompanied by guitars and rolling bass drums. Vocalists Alexander Krull and Elina Siirala complement one another between guttural death metal vocals and operatic singing. “Realm of Dark Waves” retains the folk element with wind instruments opening the track, and lyrics about Ran, the Nordic goddess of the sea. Siirala takes center stage on this track as her vocals conjure images of sailors and mermaids on a mystical voyage.
“Hammer of the Gods” has a haunting orchestral sample that is disrupted by a galloping drum beat by Joris Nijenhuis. A soaring guitar solo and crushing riffs by Micki Richter and Luc Gebhardt are icing on the cake. “Into Eternity” stands out for its bass line and lush vocals that draw the listener in. Leaves’ Eyes did right by releasing this track as a single due to its accessibility compared to the album’s other tracks. The semi-ballad “Goddess of the Night” is notable for its serene acoustic guitars and stringed instruments. It creates a picture of a group of travelers staring in awe at a starry night. The band gets heavy again on “Sons of Triglav,” with its rolling rhythm and monolithic guitar riffs. The song serves as a call for Vikings to fight honorably until their last dying breath. “Sail With The Dead” concludes the album in epic fashion with sharp guitar riffs and a choir that accentuates the scope of the song. It is a thrilling final adventure before the album ends.
Myths of Fate is notable for its mix of accessible and heavy tracks. There are some headbanging numbers like “Fear The Serpent” and “Sons of Triglav” and “softer” songs like “Into Eternity” and “Goddess of the Night.” This musical diversity is cohesive and the sword and sorcery theme on Myths is present for the album’s duration. The use of symphonic samples and stringed instruments like the nyckelharpa gives the track’s greater depth. Thus, the folk music complements the lyrical subject matter of warriors, gods, and war. The album’s 49-minute length rarely drags as most of the songs clock at around four to five minutes. Alexander Krull produced the album and provides a clean production that captures each instrument. The guitars could be a little heavier, but this is a minor complaint based on the overall quality of the record.
Leaves’ Eyes fans should enjoy Myths of Fate for its songwriting and musicianship. In fact, fans of symphonic and folk metal should check this album out. Leaves’ Eyes have refined this sub-genre for two decades down and Myths of Fate is another notch in the band’s belt. The gods are pleased.
Check out the band’s official website here: https://www.leaveseyes.de/
