LEAVES' EYES have posted the following blog update:

"Maite & John had the chance to meet Leaves' Eyes in the last Metal Female Voices Fest, in Belgium, where Maite was supporting her friends, the symphonic metal band, DIABULUS IN MUSICA, on stage. Phil, the organizer of the festival introduced Liv to Maite and after the concert John exchanged CDs with Alex. The mutual reaction was so positive about each other that just one month later Maite was already recording a duet with Liv; the song 'Meredead', which gives the name to the new Leaves' Eyes album. With a strong and epic thematic, its special melody sung in ancient English bring us to the nordic seas where many brave seamen lost their lives. The angelique voice of Liv in contrast with the lyric soprano voice of Maite, blending and mixing with each other like waves, are like heads and tales of a same siren being, like the one that welcomes us into an ancient grave-sea, in the cover of the album. The Viking and Basque alliance just begun!

And this is not the only collaboration Leaves' Eyes / Elfenthal on the Meredead album: The song 'Étaín' exposes even with more strength Liv and Maite's voices, that invoking the gods, tell us a Celtic story of love, sorcery and revenge. Strong tombs take us to the Celtic lands while both singers show their range.

Photo (left to right): Alex Krull, Maite Itoiz, Liv Kristine, John Kelly

The Irish gentleman touch comes in 'Tell Tale Eyes', where John and Liv join their voices in a warm octaves unison. Maite is also present in this song as an instrumentalist, as the baroque guitar of the intro is played by her. Wonderful song with a great melody and deep lyrics meaning. Both singers, John and Liv, put a lot of emotion into a song that like a wheel grows and grows till the shivers reach your back.

The Viking-Basque-Celtic connection formed in this album will continue in the next symphonic-rock album of Elfenthal, where Liv is expected to join, as well as other music colleagues of Elfenthal.

Just some days ago both bands met in Stuttgart at Mastersound Studio and listened together to the final mix of the tracks."

Maite: "It was a very pleasant meeting, where we could discover even more the beautiful souls behind Liv and Alex. Thank you for the chocolate, the indian evening, the cake evening and everything else!"

Kate Wilcox at Metal Assault recently caught up with Leaves' Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine to discuss the band's new album, Meredead. An excerpt from the in-depth interview is available below:

Q: How would Meredead compare to albums in the past?

Liv: "Meredead truly has the sound of Leaves' Eyes, yes, however, it is more daring, rough, taking new turns. After the era of Vinland Saga and "Njord" we thought 'Okay, our next album is NOT going to take part in the competition of who's got the biggest classical orchestra in melodic gothic metal.' So we let in new influences to our music. I prefer not to force Leaves' Eyes into a specific musical genre. I would rather say that Leaves' Eyes' music combines elements of gothic metal, classical music, folk music, with history and mythology. We constantly develop; we always want to become better musicians and technicians and bring in inspiration from all kinds of sources when we compose and produce. This band will never stand still. Art is always the product of mental evolution, evaluation and development."

Q: The last time you had your sister (carmen Elise / MIDNATTSOL) do a guest appearance I believe was on Lovelorn? How was it having her singing with you again?

Liv: "I was listening to Midnattsol in the car this morning! I am so proud of my sister! It was a pleasure singing 'Sigrlinn' with her in Norwegian. It's very interesting that we have that different voices, although being sisters. I had wanted to sing a duet in Norwegian with my sister, Carmen, since our debut Lovelorn! It feels so good having her next to me. I think our voices complete each other. Next week-end she will be here to practice with us, and with Midnattsol."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Leaves' Eyes recently posted another new audio sample from their forthcoming album, Meredead. Check out the track 'Kråkevisa' on the band's official Facebook page.

On April 19th, Leaves' Eyes' five-track EP, Melusine, will be featured in the May edition of Sonic Seducer magazine. The EP contains exclusive tracks and versions of songs which have not been released in this form previously. The title track was recorded only for this EP and Sonic Seducer magazine. For more info on the issue go here.

The band will have a limited amount of the magazine on their upcoming tour and will make them available for purchasing at the merch stand.

Melusine EP tracklisting:

‘Melusine’

‘To France’ (sonic mix)

‘Tell-Tale Eyes’ (alternate version)

‘The Battle Of Maldon’ (remastered version)

‘Legend Land’ (acoustic version)

Leaves' Eyes will release Meredead on April 22nd in Germany, Austria and Switzerland via Napalm Records. The album will be available exclusively as limited edition Mediabook CD including bonus track and bonus DVD Live At The Metal Female Voices Festival 2010, strictly limited edition Deluxe Box Set and regular jewel case.

The Deluxe Box Set (pictured below) is limited to 1000 copies and includes the Mediabook CD including bonus track and bonus DVD Live At The Metal Female Voices Festival 2010 plus pendant (Celtic Cross with LE Branding).

Meredead was produced by Alexander Krull at Mastersound Studio and features the following tracklisting:

'Spirits’ Masquerade'

'Étaín'

'Velvet Heart'

'Kråkevisa'

'To France'

'Meredead'

'Sigrlinn'

'Mine Tåror er ei Grimme'

'Empty Horizon'

'Veritas'

'Nystev'

'Tell-Tale Eyes'

'Sorhleod' (Bonus Track)

Bonus DVD - Live at Metal Female Voices Festival 2010

Tracklisting:

'Njord'

'My Destiny'

'Ragnarok'

'Elegy'

'Frøya's Theme'