I thought that I was seeing things as I browsed through the various Facebook timelines today because I was truly quite tired after the rousing and incredible performance that Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia gave us in NYC last night. Sadly, I was not imagining it all and it appears as though founding singer and band member Liv Kristine has left the band Leaves’ Eyes. The bands official statement and new group photo can be found down below. Check it out.
The Statements:
Dear Fans and Friends,
With the upcoming shows, tours and releases Leaves’ Eyes will introduce their new female singer: Elina Siirala, Finnish vocalist living in London. Leaves’ Eyes and former vocalist Liv Kristine will part ways for personal reasons.
Leaves’ Eyes: “Liv was the female voice of the band since the beginning in 2003. Together we toured through 50 countries and 5 continents, moreover we recorded 6 studio albums with outstanding singer Liv. We are full of pride in what we have reached together! From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank Liv for amazing 13 years of being our front lady, the work we have done together and all the passion for music that we shared all these years! We wish Liv all the best for the future, her solo career and other projects! Liv will always be an important part of the Leaves’ Eyes history but now we are looking forward to a new chapter and the new musical adventures of Leaves’ Eyes!“
Liv Kristine comments: “I am highly proud of having been founding member and front lady of Leaves’ Eyes, which has played a vital role in my life since 2003. Good luck guys, thank you for the amazing music, outstanding moments with our worldwide audiences, moreover, the passion we all share. Love, Liv”
Elina comments: “I can’t quite express how grateful and honored I am for being asked to join Leaves’ Eyes, one of the most iconic bands in symphonic metal! I have the utmost respect for Liv and the band and what they’ve achieved over the years! I take on this challenge with a huge excitement and look forward to the new chapter in my career. It’s truly thrilling to be working with such talented musicians who also are some of the nicest people I’ve met. My biggest passion is to make music and perform, so right now I can’t wait to see what the future will bring!”
Leaves’ Eyes: “We embrace Elina with open arms and hearts! She is a fantastic singer and performer. Please, welcome the new female voice of Leaves’ Eyes: Sensational Elina Siirala!”

Leaves’ Eyes will be touring around the globe with the new singer Elina Siirala! Check out the tour dates. The live world premiere will be in Jakarta, Indonesia. Moreover, there will be an Earbook tour edition of „King of Kings“ released in June, including a new version and video clip of „Edge of Steel“ feat. new singer Elina! On top there will be an US Edition of „King of Kings“ incl. the new version of „Edge of Steel“ as a Bonus track. Stay tuned for more news!
Leaves’ Eyes World Tour Dates 2016/2017
14.02.2016 – ISR – Tel Aviv, Symphonic Fest Israel
17.04.2016 – IDN – Jakarta, Hammersonic Festival
28.04.2016 – DE – Lübeck, Rider’s Café
29.04.2016 – DK – Copenhagen, High Voltage
30.04.2016 – NL – Eindhoven, Effenaar
01.05.2016 – BE – Roeselare, De Verlichte Geest
12.05.2016 – DE – Aschaffenburg, Colo-Saal
13.05.2016 – DE – Leipzig, Wave Gotik Treffen (Viking Show with Swords stage set)
14.05.2016 – CH – Pratteln, Masters of Symphonic Metal
10.06.2016 – DE – Rockfels, Loreley
08.07.2016 – LV Lone, Zobens un Lemess festival
21.08.2016 – BY – Rechitsa, Metal Crowd Festival
03.09. – 08.09.2016 – DE – Full Metal Cruise
22.10.2016 – BE – Wieze, Metal Female Voices Festival (Viking ship Special show)
06.11.2016 – USA – Silver Spring MD – The Fillmore*
08.11.2016 – USA – Clifton Park NY – Upstate Concert Hall*
09.11.2016 – USA – Philadelphia PA – The Troca
10.11.2016 – USA – Providence RI – Firehouse 13**
11.11.2016 – USA – Sayreville NJ – Starland Ballroom*
12.11.2016 – USA – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater*
13.11.2016 – CAN – Montreal QC – Club Soda*
14.11.2016 – CAN – Ottawa, ON – Mavericks*
15.11.2016 – CAN – Quebec QC – Le Cercle**
16.11.2016 – CAN – Kitchener ON – Dallas*
17.11.2016 – USA – Columbus OH – Park Street Saloon*
18.11.2016 – USA – Westland MI – Token Lounge*
19.11.2016 – USA – Pittsburgh PA – Altar Bar*
20.11.2016 – USA – Cleveland OH – Agora Ballroom**
21.11.2016 – USA – Milwaukee WI – The Rave*
22.11.2016 – USA – Minneapolis MN – Mill City Nights*
24.11.2016 – CAN – Regina SK – The Exchange*
25.11.2016 – CAN – Calgary AB – Dickens*
26.11.2016 – CAN – Edmonton AB – Starlite Room*
28.11.2016 – CAN – Vancouver BC – The Venue*
29.11.2016 – USA – Seattle WA – El Corazon*
30.11.2016 – USA – Portland OR – Hawthorne Theatre*
02.12.2016 – USA – San Francisco CA – Slim’s*
03.12.2016 – USA – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick*
04.12.2016 – USA – Anaheim CA – The Grove*
05.12.2016 – USA – Tempe, AZ – Club Red*
06.12.2016 – USA – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls*
08.12.2016 – USA – Englewood CO – Gothic Theater*
09.12.2016 – USA – Lawrence KS – Granada*
10.12.2016 – USA – Dallas TX – Trees*
11.12.2016 – USA – McAllen, TX – Cine el Rey*
12.12.2016 – USA – Austin TX – Dirty Dog Bar**
13.12.2016 – USA – San Antonio TX – Alamo Music Hall*
14.12.2016 – USA – Houston TX – Scout Bar*
16.12.2016 – USA – Lake Buena Vista FL – House of Blues*
17.12.2016 – USA – Atlanta GA – The Masquerade*
26.01.2017 – RUS – St. Petersburg, Opera Club
27.01.2017 – RUS – Moscow, Volta Club
* With Sonata Arctica, Omnium Gatherum
** Leaves’ Eyes (Headliner shows) plus Omnium Gatherum
*** end of transmission ***
PiercingMetal Thoughts: Whoah. I am not too sure what to make of all of this because with Liv being a founding member of the group its really striking me as kind of weird to find this happening. I first heard the band back in 2004 if my memory is serving me correctly and at that time there wasn’t even a PiercingMetal website to discuss any of what I had felt was awesome about them. I think when I had seen them perform in 2005 that it was the bands first ever visit to the USA and most certainly NYC so that was kind of cool. Knowing that she is married to singer Alexander Krull of Atrocity (and also Leaves Eyes since the musicians work in tandem together) its rather jarring to learn that Liv will no longer be a part of a group that was formed with her in mind. Perhaps she just wants to be a mother now as she and Alex have a son (Leon Alexander) and he would be around a young school age at this time and maybe a life on the road during these formative years is not okay with her. Whatever the case might be, I am going to miss seeing Liv in this band and her departure seems a lot different from when Angela Gossow left Arch Enemy. You might recall that story where the former lead singer was going to work in the management side and continually write new things with the band for singer Alissa White-Gluz to perform. I guess we shall hear more as the story develops a little more and I wonder what you readers think about this one. Please let me know in the comments section below. PiercingMetal has been reporting on the band for many years now and any content with them as the subject matter or part of the story can be examined by clicking THIS LINK.
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/leaveseyesofficial/