King of Kings
Leaves' Eyes · 2015
48 min · 12 tracks · gothic metal
A sweeping blend of gothic and symphonic metal that intertwines powerful vocals with rich, atmospheric instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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King of Kings — This titular track exemplifies the album's grandeur, featuring soaring melodies and powerful choruses that encapsulate the band's thematic focus on historical narratives.
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Halvdan the Black — With its driving rhythm and vivid storytelling, this song immerses listeners in Norse history, highlighting Leaves' Eyes' ability to blend heavy metal with lore.
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Vengeance Venom — This track stands out for its aggressive energy and intricate arrangements, showcasing the band's duality of melodic and intense elements within their sound.
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Blazing Waters — An expansive composition that melds haunting verses with anthemic choruses, illustrating the emotional depth and musical complexity that characterizes the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and ambitious orchestration, though it remains within established genre boundaries.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a cinematic orchestral intro that sets a grand tone, followed by powerful dual vocals that alternate between melodic singing and harsh growls.
- Several tracks feature intricate arrangements with layered instrumentation, including strings and choirs, enhancing the epic feel of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- historical narratives through powerful vocals
- immersive orchestral landscapes unfold
- pacing that ebbs and flows
Maybe skip if you
- seeking immediate gratification
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 11, 2015, 'King of Kings' is Leaves' Eyes' fifth studio album, following the departure of their original vocalist. This period marked a significant transitional phase for the band as they welcomed new lead singer Elina Siirala, aiming to redefine their sound while maintaining their signature epic storytelling style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nightwish· Epica· Within Temptation
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sweven 2:03
- 2 King of Kings 4:47
- 3 Halvdan the Black 4:22
- 4 The Waking Eye 4:41
- 5 Feast of the Year 0:37
- 6 Vengeance Venom 3:17
- 7 Sacred Vow 4:20
- 8 Edge of Steel 5:06
- 9 Haraldskvæði 3:24
- 10 Blazing Waters 7:30
- 11 Swords in Rock 3:03
- 12 Edge of Steel (2016 version) 5:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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