SOURCE – I wanted to start things off by asking about the new album King of Kings you have out. What were the actual changes that you tried to bring forth on this record?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – 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. 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 and core of the band as we also were in the band’s beginnings.
SOURCE – What inspired your lyrics for King of Kings? What subject matter do you cover on this album?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – The concept of King of Kings is based on Harald “Fairhair” Hårfagre’ life and a special event in the 9th century of Norway’s history. The story, divided into 12 chapters, 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” (the title was Alex’ idea) is a fantastic and breathtaking soundtrack to Harald’s history, being the first king unifying greater parts of Norway. I have always been interested in history, Viking culture and expansion, and the happenings concerning Norway’s kings. Harald Fairhair is to me the most interesting one, winning this important battle in Hafrsfjord, having extraordinary aims and goals for his home country. Amazingly, the great battle took place where I was born and raised. In general, 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. Hafrsfjord is fjord or bay located in the municipalities of Stavanger and Sola in Norway, stretching 9 kilometres. It’s really worth visiting! I always feel a deep inspiration by the sea, moreover, this is a magical place.
SOURCE – The initial response to the album has been almost universally positive. Does that change your expectations for when it is released?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – I am super happy! We are all really amazed by the response from fans, friends and press all over the world. I am so grateful to all of you. Somehow we felt the magic with this production. It feels fantastic having AFM supporting us and I am extremely happy with this move. I can’t wait to play King of Kings live!
SOURCE – You shot a video for the song The Waking Eye. What is the concept?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – The Waking Eye was shot in Germany’s forests (with Rainer ZIPP Fränzen and his camera team), and at Norway’s fjords. We built up authentic settings like a small village. All the Vikings came to the video shoot from all over Europe. Some of them are Værjaborg Warriors. They are passionate Vikings in their spare time and professional fighters. For the battle scenes we even had authentic weather – it was raining and storming non stop and the ground was one big mud pit. Luckily, the sun shone the next day. You are quite lucky if you experience one complete day of sunshine in Scandinavia. The video shows Harald Fairhair as a child (played by our son, Leon), how his parents dream that he will become a king, visiting a seer. In the end he becomes the first king of Norway (played by Alex).
On the cover of the album and in the video you see Alex in a traditional costume – he is the perfect man to step in the role of Harald Fairhair! The amazing artwork was done by Stefan Heilemann and Alex.
SOURCE – Are there any more videos planned for this album?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – Documentary films, lyric videos have been released as well. More is coming.
SOURCE – Looking back at Leaves Eyes’s catalog, is there an album that you think was underrated or overlooked at the time of release, but in retrospect has held up really well?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – Symphony of the Night and Meredead, the albums released before King of Kings. The support from our former label wasn’t there, and that really hurt me. Leaves’ Eyes is a band which works really, really hard. We always give it all, we compose and produce with heart and soul, and we love playing live. We do everything from bookkeeping, management, production, merchandise, and much more by ourselves. We are eternally grateful to our fans for their support and we want to show this. We need a supporting label to reach out with our art. I am so happy that things have changed for us with King of Kings.
SOURCE – The music industry has changed dramatically in your 12 years as a band. Is there anything that can be done to fix the current state of the business?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – I am honestly horrified by the negative development. I observe that so many of the organizations and supporting apparatus that used to provide a little financial help, especially for no-mainstream or alternative artists, are disappearing. Here in Germany, for instance, the organization GVL, which used to be there for every active artist contributing with something to culture, is now a completely different apparatus. The artists who really need support don’t get anything anymore, only those who are played on the radio, our fees are all based on radio rotation. In addition to this artists lose money due to illegal downloading. Our labels and distributors suffer, too, many shut down recently.
Publishers often don’t do their accountings decently, so in the end the artist suffers also here. I don’t get this stupidity and ignorance shining through from the state authorities. Every person contributing to culture and history, like us, self-made hard-working people also deserve to get paid for our work.
SOURCE – Are you able to make a living with music, or do you have a day job?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – It’s sometimes really hard to be a full-time artist, I can’t deny that. It’s sometimes a real roller-coaster ride, from week to week. I studied German and English and did my master degree. That’s good. I do some teaching whenever necessary. However, I consider myself a lucky person to be able to combine music and family! A dream has come true, thanx to my fans, and my family.
I have been singing for as long as I can remember, even before I was able to talk. I was born with great vocal chords that can take a lot, an excellent hearing and a lot of creativity. Leaves’ Eyes is a very creative and innovative band. Not only our writing style has changed; we also keep developing technically, becoming better musicians. Tosso, Alex and myself are all perfectionists and born with special abilities. I am living this dream without having taken any singing lessons or any other education than making my own experience on stage and in the studio. To be honest, through all these years we’ve just let any influence into our music as we felt like it; no external pressure, no “musts”. I’ve always been quite immune towards external pressure, to be honest. My own hyper-creative mind is more than enough for one band to handle.
Creativity and love towards music is the general force behind my artistic work, as well as thankfulness towards my audience and fans all over the world. The adventure will go on for many years, I can promise you that!
SOURCE – What are your upcoming tour plans, and do they include South America?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – First, tour Europe, including UK, then Asia (including Japan for the first time), then a number of festivals, too. In December this year I will do a solo tour, playing songs from all solo albums, including Theatre of Tragedy with Raymond as my special guest. For this I will be back in SA in 2016, in October. I also promise to return with King of Kings as soon as possible! Our last tour this spring was an unforgettable experience!
SOURCE – Is there anything else you need to mention?
Liv Kristine Espenæs Krull (Vocal) – Thank you for all your support throughout all these years! I hope you enjoy King of Kings!
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