24.10.2010 Leaves' Eyes

Metal Female Voices Fest VIII

Oktoberhallen Wieze (Belgium)

(Pentax k-x with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

After they played the last year only a short acoustic set this year Leaves' Eyes were back for a longer gig. The band that is formed by the German group Atrocity together with the Norwegian former Theatre Of Tragedy front woman Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull has continued a nice tradition. Each time I saw them or Atrocity live they have played in a different setting. So also this year where the cast was again newly combined. Already in the beginning of the year Mathias Rödere said goodbye to the band due to personal reasons and was replaced by Sander van der Meer. Also on bass one week in front of this concert they went apart of Alla Fedynitch and replaced her for the last two concerts of the year by JB van der Wal. Last but not least also drummer Chris Antonopoulos is since march not with them anymore. His part is taken over since then by Roland Navratil.
After so much replacements also something regarding the gig. Meanwhile it was quite cosy in front of the stage and all were heavily looking forward to the Leaves' Eyes gig and the one of Epica. According to this the expectations were quite high and were not disappointed. As usual Leaves' Eyes provided a convincing show. Liv cast a spell over the audience with her bright, angel like voice where Alex put his angry growls into opposite. During a cross section of the last two albums "Njord" and "Vinland Saga" Alex swirled as ususal across the stage encouraging the crowd. Liv was more reserved and performed her usual dances. Besides the old-hands (Thorsten Bauer provided a convincing performance on guitar) also the new ones showed their skills.
Finally 70 minutes were way too short. Leaves' Eyes was celebrated by the audience non-stop, it was loudly sang along and clapped. A really great gig who will be continued next year on Metal Female Voices Fest IX. Then with material of the new album that will be released in April and to which I am already happily looking forward.

Setlist:

Njord
My Destiny
Emerald Island
Farewell Proud Men
Take The Devil In Me
Solemn Sea
Ragnarok
Froya's Theme
Mot Fjerne Land (Outro)

Weblinks:

	Leaves' Eyes Homepage of the German band Leaves' Eyes.
	Metal Female Voices Fest Homepage of the Metal Female Voices festival at Wieze (Belgium).
	Oktoberhallen Homepage of the Oktoberhallen at Wieze (Belgium).