A feast for folk and symphonic metal fans - A review of Leaves' Eyes' Sign of the Dragonhead

As you know, Leaves' Eyes has gone through a major line-up change when charismatic singer Liv Kristine left the band as her marriage to band leader Alexander Krull fell apart in a quite nasty way two years ago. She was replaced by relatively unknown Finnish singer Elina Siirala. The first release of this new line-up in form of the EP Fires in the North was a disaster with one new lackluster track and unnecessary reworked versions of songs from the excellent last album. My hopes for Sign of the Dragonhead weren't too high but this release surprises positively.

Elina Siirala's classically trained vocals suit the band's epic symphonic metal very well and even add a more elegant note which works perfectly in the calmer tracks. Alexander Krull's harsh vocals are scarcely used on this record which makes them all the more efficient. What really makes this album stand out are the majestic symphonic elements, inspired folk references and catchy melodies which make nearly every song a potential single candidate. Despite the major line-up change, Sign of the Dragonhead has all of Leaves' Eyes classic trademarks and is a worthy successor of the epic King of Kings. If I had to point out highlights, I would certainly mention the moving ballad ''Fairer than the Sun'', the epic folk-ridden instrumental ''Rulers of Wind and Waves'' that would do any fantasy game or movie justice and the diversified, epic and intelligent album closer ''Waves of Euphoria'' that breaks the eight-minute mark. Even the somewhat generic ''Fires in the North'' works better in the album context than as single candidate.

Obviously, there are a few minor elements to criticize. I would have expected some more changes and experiments with the new singer. Sign of the Dragonhead is a very good album but also quite by the numbers as it's obvious that the band played it safe in order to keep its fan base intact. The guitar play on the album is quite unspectacular. The riffs are generic and there are only very few solos that work best in the calmer tracks. The bass guitar and drums sound less present than on the at at times quite heavy predecessor. This album is more interesting for those fascinated by early Nightwish than contemporary Epica. This means that the album might rather appeal to those who like more melodic folk and symphonic metal while those who like faster and heavier material won't find many redeeming qualities here.

To keep it short, Leaves' Eyes fans can purchase this record without any worries. Sign of the Dragonhead isn't as strong as the vivid predecessor but a worthy successor that focuses more on melody than heaviness. If you like elegant folk and symphonic metal in the key of Nightwish's Tarja Turunen era, you should also give this release a few spins. Leaves' Eyes made the best out of a negative situation and this album proves that it was the right choice for them to carry on under the Leaves' Eyes banner. So far, this is easily the best symphonic metal record of the year. Now that the band has proven its consistency, I hope the band members of old date will focus on a long overdue Atrocity release since the group's last symphonic death metal output Okkult was absolutely brilliant.

Final rating: 80%