Leaves’ Eyes seem to get better and better with every release, and last effort Njord seemed like nothing could top this Nordic metal masterpiece including some of the best Leaves’ Eyes tunes such as the anthem ‘My Destiny’, romantic ‘Froyas Theme’ and of course the title track it’s self ‘Njord’. This year though Leaves’ Eyes have come back with an album more powerful, darker and more experimental than ever before, combining catchy songs, weird instruments and the best female voice in metal, to create a gargantuan metal lullaby, charming and mesmerizing it’s listeners with the musical ability of gods!

Meredead is full of crowd pleasers, and Leaves’ Eyes would be fools not to use songs like ‘Étaín’, ‘To France’ and ‘Empty Horizons’ in their current live sets. Every song on this album is guaranteed to have a good time singing along to, and the mellower parts of the album would be ideal to go in-between huge hits like those of Vinland Saga and Lovelorn. They are the lighters in the air moments which make every single person in the room feel a part of something special. Sure, tracks of Meredead may not be as fast and bouncy as songs like ‘New Found Land’ but who ever said anything had to be fast and heavy to be bloody brilliant.

Let’s concentrate of Liv Kristine for a moment, the beautiful, blonde haired, angelic singer of Leaves’ Eyes. I’m serious when I say this..... Her voice is amazing, and Merdead pushes her vocal ability to the far edges of Valhalla and back, proving she deserves the well earned title of (Best Female Voice in Metal). Whether it is high, or whether it is low, Liv’s vocals are always on top form on every Leaves’ Eyes album, being a shining role model for those gorgeous girls who want to start singing metal.

There is nothing wrong with Meredead musically but where the fuck as Alexander Krull’s death growls gone. People have always seen Leaves’ Eyes as the beauty and the beast of metal, and now that the beasty part has gone, we are still left with one beautiful woman singing her tits off, but we are missing the contrast which adds the depth and manliness into the music. Seriously guys, bring it back on the next album.... RARRGGGHHHH!

Leaves’ Eyes take on board more new fans with every album release, and fair play to them when they release killer albums such as Meredead. Maybe one more album like Meredead (With death growls) will catapult them broadsword’s first into the big league.