Sign of the Dragonhead
Leaves' Eyes · 2018
106 min · 25 tracks · gothic metal
Epic orchestral arrangements intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, evoking a mythical atmosphere steeped in Norse folklore.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sign of the Dragonhead — The title track sets the stage with soaring vocals and powerful instrumentation, encapsulating the album's epic themes of myth and adventure.
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Across the Sea — This song features intricate melodies and a dynamic structure that showcases the band's signature blend of symphonic elements with heavy metal, illustrating their musical evolution.
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Beowulf — Drawing from classic literature, this track combines narrative storytelling with captivating instrumentals, highlighting Leaves' Eyes' penchant for marrying lyrical depth with lush soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong orchestration and thematic depth but lacks cohesion due to its length and bonus tracks.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate choral backing vocals that enhance the epic feel, particularly in 'Riders on the Wind' and 'Beowulf'.
- 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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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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 ebb and flow experience
- haunting vocals for deep focus
- epic soundscapes for exploration
- immersive journey through themes
- wave-like pacing for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, catchy songs
- seek constant high energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2018, Sign of the Dragonhead marked Leaves' Eyes' first album following the departure of founding member Liv Kristine. This shift prompted a new chapter for the band as they embraced a heavier sound and evolved their lyrical themes around Viking history and mythology.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nightwish· Epica· Within Temptation
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Sign of the Dragonhead 4:06
- 2 Across the Sea 3:49
- 3 Like a Mountain 4:44
- 4 Jomsborg 3:25
- 5 Völva 3:38
- 6 Riders on the Wind 3:53
- 7 Fairer Than the Sun 4:20
- 8 Shadows in the Night 3:48
- 9 Rulers of Wind and Waves 3:00
- 10 Fires in the North 4:21
- 11 Waves of Euphoria 8:03
- 12 Beowulf 4:07
- 13 Winter Nights 3:38
- 14 Fairer Than the Sun (acoustic version) 4:25
Disc 2
- 1 Sign of the Dragonhead (instrumental) 4:07
- 2 Across the Sea (instrumental) 3:50
- 3 Like a Mountain (instrumental) 4:45
- 4 Jomsborg (instrumental) 3:26
- 5 Völva (instrumental) 3:38
- 6 Riders on the Wind (instrumental) 3:54
- 7 Fairer Than the Sun (instrumental) 4:20
- 8 Shadows in the Night (instrumental) 3:48
- 9 Rulers of Wind and Waves (instrumental) 3:01
- 10 Fires in the North (instrumental) 4:22
- 11 Waves of Euphoria (instrumental) 8:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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