LIV KRISTINE Talks About Upcoming Solo Album

Renowned female vocalist Liv Kristine (LEAVES' EYES, ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY) recently spoke to Metal Temple magazine's Michael Dalakos while promoting the new LEAVES' EYES release, "Vinland Saga". Liv spoke about a number of topics, including her upcoming second solo album that is going to be released via Roadrunner Records. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

Metal Temple: [There are] rumors [that you will] be releasing a second solo album. What can you tell us about this?

Liv Kristine: "Yes, it is true, there will be a second solo album. It will be released around autumn. I signed a record deal with Roadrunner Records. A dream came true for me since I had a lot of trouble with my first company. I had to fight for my rights in the court. I was really sad when I realized that some people wanted to put the dollar sign on my forehead. I don't want to be a Barbie Doll in the music industry. I want to write my own lyrics, be part of the recording process..."

Metal Temple: Can we assume it will be in the same vein as your first solo attempt?

Liv Kristine: "Yes. This CD will follow the steps of the first album. It will be quite atmospheric and dark, but I can tell you that I collaborated with other producers like Peter Tägtgren [PAIN, HYPOCRISY], so expect some very interesting combinations of music! There will be some up tempo songs for the album."

Metal Temple: With your previous band [THEATRE OF TRAGEDY] you have managed pretty much to bring a revolution to the heavy metal community. Do you think that you can achieve something equally great with your current band [LEAVES' EYES]? Generally how difficult is it to sound original today?

Liv Kristine: "I think it is very difficult to sound different, to achieve your own sound so people can understand what a band is playing after listening for a couple of seconds. Most bands today try to adopt elements from their favorite bands and if they are lucky enough to blend them with some elements of their own hoping for a personal sound. When you run a band like ATROCITY or LEAVES' EYES it is very difficult to stick to your sound when many bands try to sound like you. Personally I believe that the best thing one band can do is to stick to its sound and be as much original as possible. You must try to develop your sound at one level but never forget where you come from.

"That was the main problem with THEATRE OF TRAGEDY. They have created a very personal sound. There was a dramatic difference between 'Aegis' and 'Musique'. They didn’t want to have any connection with their past. For example their singer was interested mostly in EMINEM (!!!),so the band had a break with their past and started working on totally different material. This was very difficult for me. I will never try something like this with LEAVES' EYES."

Read the entire interview with Liv Kristine at this location.