Leaves’ Eyes are no strangers within the Metal scene and music business. They’ve released a new EP, called “Song Of Darkness”, released on the 6th of March, via Reigning Phoenix Music. Their singer, Elina Siirala chatted with Metal Imperium and told us all about this new and epic launch. She talked about the tracks, the message behind them, how she prepared for the tour and what bands or guests, she desires to collaborate with. Curious? Read and find out more.
M.I. - Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the EP ‘Song Of Darkness’? What themes or emotions were you most drawn to while creating it?
It’s an EP of four songs! We are kind of continuing on this path of mythical, mystical magical topics! The songs are also, obviously, musically a little bit different from each other as you would like. The “Song Of Darkness” is about the Kayely Saga from Iceland, “Hall The Brave” is about Valhalla and then we have a tragic love story: “Until The Last Day”. Then we have the ballad, which is about the Sacred Tree, Yggdrasil. It’s a great mix, topic wise and musically, I would say! The ballad is musically and lyrically original from me and then we adapted the lyrics to work with this EP. The rest of the lyrics are from Alex. He always comes with great topics to explore. Again, we have great orchestration from Jona. It’s a great mixture of things! I’m sure that is the reason to explore, especially these topics this time!
M.I. - Was there a particular song on the EP that was especially challenging or meaningful for you to record?
Every song has their own challenges, I would say, maybe in a way “Song Of Darkness”, which was the most recent one I recorded, was challenging, but in a good way, because I got to use pretty much all the range and all the tones of my voice. So, it’s a very, very versatile track, vocally, for me! It was a challenge! It’s not an easy song to sing, but it was also great to be able to do that! It has just a darkness and likeness in the song. It’s a very big contrast! It was a challenge, but also, I think it turned out really great!
M.I. - Your vocals are known for their emotional depth — did you approach your performance differently on this EP?
Every song is different! You always have to find a way to connect musically, vocally and then also, of course, within the emotion of the text and stuff. Sometimes it’s more like I’m in the storyteller role and sometimes it’s more from a personal point of view. The music also dictates what kind of emotion is it: “Is it a battle song? Is it more of a mystical topic or where is the vocal line sitting? Is it high? Is it low?” (laughs).
Everything is kind of mixing into this and then, what I try to bring, for the song, the topic and the music, is not always easy of course, but that’s my goal as a singer!
M.I. - What was the songwriting and recording process like this time? Did anything surprise you creatively?
I think it was a little bit different from song to song, I would say! Which was really kind of interesting and cool, is that “Song Of Darkness” started in a very old-fashioned way of me and Alex just sitting in the room playing around! So, it really started from zero (laughs)! It started with some chords. I remember he went out; I was left alone in the room. I was playing the cords, I sang the first line of the chorus: “Every time I dream…”, blah, blah, blah. We just started building around that and everything came in like a snowball effect. As I already mentioned, I did the ballad at home, all the arrangements, the text and everything came on top of it. The other two started with the orchestrations. It was a different process with every song.
Surprising me?! I think there’s always an element of surprise, even when you do the demo phase and then you think: “Ok! I have this song kind of figured out! Let’s save it for myself!”. You go into the studio and start recording and suddenly you find something totally different. We sometimes explore very different type of things vocally. It’s always cool to find something new and something to develop yourself as a singer also. For me it’s also cool when the other instruments come in. They add some elements that elevate the song in the end and then you go: “Oh, wow! That’s so cool!”. Always a little surprise here and there!
M.I. - How did the collaboration with Reigning Phoenix Music influence or support the release of this EP?
Obviously, we signed with them, and this is our first release, so we’re really excited! Everyone’s really, really nice! We’re very looking forward to working together and let’s see how everything goes. We also have a great music video out and things are going really well!
M.I. - Do you feel that “Song Of Darkness” represents a new chapter for the band?
For me, it’s more like a continuation of “Myths Of Fate”, yet also something new. I think that’s what we always want to bring. We don’t want to lose the identity as a band in every way, but you always want to add something new and explore new trajectories. Of course we have a new label now, so, in this way it’s also a new start for us and it’s a really exciting time in every way. So, we’re looking forward to also playing live and bringing this EP to people.
M.I. - Are there lyrical stories or historical/ mythological elements in this EP that fans should pay special attention to?
They are of course based on sagas as always, but I always like to refrain from explaining exactly what it is about, because I like people to make their own interpretation of the songs. Of course, this ballad has a really nice, magical image in my head when I imagine The Sacred Tree and the roots spreading all over the World, connecting everything, representing the cosmos and everything! It’s such a peaceful and nice image to have and of course we made the music video for “Song Of Darkness”. There you can actually visually see how Alex also brought his symbolism of the Dark Lady, the Light Lady and everything together: the dreams. It’s a really beautiful music video! It complements this song really well!
M.I. - How excited are you to finally share this material with the fans?
Very, very excited of course! Who wouldn’t be?! It’s always great when you bring out new music, especially when you get to go on the road straight after. We’re going to play the songs live! Meeting the fans again! A very, very exciting time!
M.I. - You’ve released a new music video. Can you tell us more about it, please?
As I mentioned, sometimes people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. Also, how much work goes into filming a music video. It was one of those cold, rainy nights, but it fits so perfectly into the video. We have wonderful people helping us. The mystical creatures in the forest look amazing! I love this scene, with me in the fire circle with the mask! It just looks amazing! It was just very magical somehow and everything came together perfectly for this video!
M.I. - “Forged by Fire” has a magnificent visual! How did you prepare for that specific music video? Can you tell us more about the behind the scenes, please?
That took filming many parts, so there was one part in which I was actually a knight! We were filming through the night and finished in the morning. We did it with all the pyros and of course, they didn’t work and it was crazy, but in the end, everything worked out!
It looks amazing! I don’t know if you’ve been close to pyros, but they are really hot! I think it was about 30 degrees in that summer night, and it was like really hot! So, I remember this, but of course the visual looks amazing later! We also filmed the scenes more in the caves with me and Alex doing separately a lot of the fighting scenes and everything. I was there also assisting at the time. It was really like kind of a little puzzle, and it all just melts together and it creates the story for this song!
M.I. - Which music video for you, was the hardest to film? In what way?
Usually it’s a very, very long day, that’s cold and wet! You’re standing there with wet feet and we had that, for example in the “Sign Of The Dragonhead”, I remember, but it was an amazing day! It was a wonderful surrounding, but it was very rainy and cold.
I remember the authentic clothing and my feet were soaking wet. I did get ill afterwards, when I got home. It doesn’t matter! Still, I got to ride the horses as well. It’s always kind of hard to film videos, but it’s always worth it! Always (laughs)!
M.I. - Can listeners expect to hear these new songs live soon? Are there touring plans connected to the EP release?
Yeah, there is! We’re going to Europe, we started on the 5th of March and we’re going also to the UK, with a couple of shows there.
Unfortunately, we won’t go to Portugal this time, but we are going to Japan in April. There are some plans that I can’t talk about. There is other stuff coming. We’re very much looking forward to these shows!
M.I. - If you had to describe ‘Song Of Darkness’ in three words, what would they be?
I would say definitely contrast, because it has a very big contrast in every way. Soft, it has softness into it, and I really like the mid part also. It has mid part in every way and then, it has a big depth to it also, both musically and lyrically!
M.I. - How do you prepare for touring and singing?
Nowadays, I’m trying to approach things as relaxed as I can. Not to worry too much, because I have this tendency of being perfectionist. I’m trying to relax! Just go about my life: I’m teaching, singing, practicing. I want to be prepared when we go with the band. I also have to learn the new songs, prepare them and rehearse with the band
When we get on tour, we try to relax, just go for the shows and enjoy the moment, because if you’re thinking all the time, let’s say negatively or something, it won’t help. Also, of course, I hope I stay healthy. It’s essential as a singer. So, I try to take care of how I eat, what I do, also a little bit of preparing for the tour and during it. Normal things! Nothing crazy! There are no magical potions that I drink (laughs).
M.I. - What advice would you give to female vocalists that are starting now?
I would always say: make sure you do everything for the right reasons, because it’s a direction or passion, whatever you want to call it. It has to come from the passion.
It’s hard! It’s not an easy lifestyle. It involves a lot of work outside music as well. It’s just not about singing or playing, unfortunately. It’s a lot of work and surround yourself with people that support you and enjoy it as much as you can!
M.I. - What are your favourite singers/bands and wishes to collaborate?
This is always such a difficult question for me, because I admire a lot of singers and bands! It’s so difficult to pick just one or two. I love the 80’s and their bands, but I’m very open minded with music!
I come from the classical world, and I listen to pretty much anything. In any genre, there’s great stuff. I love so many people who are, unfortunately, not with us anymore, like Freddie Mercury and Marie, from Roxette. I think she was a phenomenal vocalist!
Of course, nowadays, Floor Jansen is an incredible singer. There are also growlers. Recently we’ve toured with Arkona. Masha is also amazing on stage! So many great artists around! Collaborating would be surprising it with something from a different genre, let’s say, Eric Adams from Manowar (laughs)… an amazing singer I wouldn’t mind! We will definitely join forces and bring some guests! I’m looking forward to that!
M.I. - Any hint about the supporting bands that will tour with you?
Catalyst Crime is joining us for this tour in Europe. It will be great to see those guys again, join forces and the stages with them! I’m sure there will be also an opening band. I’m not sure if it’s going be a different one every day. We don’t know that actually!
It’s so great to give opportunities to loads of bands, because I was also there! I was once the one trying to get the support slots. I have a lot of empathy and sympathy for these people! I appreciate them a lot!
M.I. - What message or feeling do you hope fans will take away after listening to the EP?
I hope they are going to see the depths and the variety, both musically and lyrically. How the songs, at the time, tie together, but how they stand alone and create this perfect circle together! It’s going to be also interesting to sing some of them live, see how people will react and how they are going to like the songs live. That’s also an element, that always brings something extra to it!
M.I. - Any final words for the fans?
It was really my pleasure! I remember we’ve already chatted before. It’s always a pleasure! It was indeed my first time playing in Portugal, last year. It was two years ago already. Time flies! It was an amazing time, and I hope we will back soon. Rock on! I really hope to see you very soon!
For Portuguese version, click here
Listen to Leaves' Eyes, on Spotify
Questions by Raquel Miranda
