As Leaves’ Eyes embark on their new tour, I caught up with singer Elina Siirala in Dordrecht before the show. In this chat, she takes a moment to reflect on a decade of artistry, evolution, and mythic storytelling. Speaking ahead of the first show, she discusses the band’s latest release, Song of Darkness, their partnership with a new label, and the creative journey that continues to blend history, legend, and emotion. Elina offers insight into the making of the new EP, the upcoming full-length album, and how the group keeps pushing its musical and visual boundaries while staying true to its Viking-inspired spirit.
Welcome to Leaves’ Eyes
First, Elina, thank you for making time today.
My pleasure.
And I wanted to ask you how are you and how everything is going, considering this is the first show of this tour and everything is a bit…
Yeah, it’s exciting. I mean, it’s always when you bring something new and new songs and everything. So yeah, of course, it has an element of excitement, a bit of nervousness and stuff. But yeah, it’s going really well and looking forward to tonight
Leaves’ Eyes new EP Song of Darkness
Yeah, and this tour is a presentation for the new EP Song of Darkness. First, my congratulations. And secondly, what can you tell me about starting this new musical adventure?
Yeah, I mean, we’re kind of staying on the path of these mystical, mythical themes on this EP. We wanted to bring something out because we have a new label now and everything. So, when you go out on the tour as well, it’s great to bring something new on stage. Now that we’ve toured already with Myths of Fate, it’s cool to have this EP, Song of Darkness, and play some new songs live.
Leaves’ Eyes signing to Reigning Phoenix Music
The signing of Reigning Phoenix Music means in a way, the start of a new adventure.
Yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah, we have a new label and of course you want to present something new then. So it’s great for us and for the label too.
10 years of Leaves’ Eyes with Elina
Also, this EP marks 10 years from your adventure with Leaves’ Eyes. How does it feel?
Yeah, I mean, it’s crazy — time has gone, I would say, both quickly and slowly. When you look back at all the things I’ve done and experienced with the band, and how much has happened in 10 years — great albums and tours all over the world — it’s been a crazy ride.
10 years of Leaves’ Eyes with Elina [cont]
And I wanted to ask you if you can name one big achievement in these 10 years — what would it be?
Only one?
10 years of Leaves’ Eyes with Elina [cont]
Oh, I can give you three! Come on!
I mean, it’s also the thing that it’s not always what people would think. For me, it’s definitely the personal development as a singer. It’s been a huge deal because I’ve been through quite a roller coaster with my own voice, and I’ve developed and still keep developing.
But I feel like I’m in a perfect place now, and I’m very proud of the last album Myths of Fate. I think that was my best album so far, and I feel I can push the boundaries even more going forward. And then, of course, playing places like Wacken or stuff like that — it’s really amazing. Those things always stick in your mind.
Myth, magic, and history
Yeah, absolutely. And in a way this EP introduces a new paradigm in Leaves’ Eyes’ music. It shifts the borders between myth, magic, and history. And I found fascinating how the history and the episodes that you propose in your music are really accurate. So I get the feeling that they are well researched in a way.
Yeah, absolutely. Like I mentioned earlier, in Myths of Fate we ventured more into mystical and mythical themes and sagas. These are sometimes based on historical things, but not always. There’s always room for fantasy, symbolism, and how you want to bring it into a song. Alex always brings really great stories and sagas into Leaves’ Eyes’ music.
So in this way, I see the theme as a continuation from Myths of Fate, exploring that side — with this Gisli Saga and all these elements. But yeah, you’re right — there’s always an element of history.
Researching the history
And I find it quite accurate because…
Yeah, absolutely. It’s very important for Alex to keep this in mind.
So let me ask you, is it always Alex that does the academic historical research? [laughs]
Yeah, I mean he is definitely the one who is very immersed in this Viking scene and does all the reenactment, is part of these groups and Viking communities and stuff. So yeah, for sure he is the most involved in this world. When I’m writing texts too, we work on them together and make them fit into the theme — whether it was Myths of Fate or now on the EP.
Enter the myth of Gisli
So you’re leaving the Viking ship ashore now, but you are introducing Gisli the Outlaw in a way. Why did you find the myth of Gisli so inspiring?
I think that would definitely be a question for Alex! Oh my god, yeah, because he’s the one who wanted to write about this theme. And of course when he tells us about the theme of the song or what he’s thinking, it’s always exciting to see how it comes alive in the music videos and visuals.
The new video for Song of Darkness
Yeah, and about the new videos for Song of Darkness — every time they exceed my expectations, if I must mention that. How challenging does it get to keep up with the videography each time? Because they really look like mini-movies.
Yeah, I think that’s the purpose, of course. I mean, that’s what Alex goes for. He’s the one basically filming, directing, cutting, and doing everything. It’s his vision — how much symbolism he uses, what kind, and how we wanted this darker atmosphere for this one. It fits the song — the contrast between the light lady and the dark lady. Furthermore, it looks to me like a fairy tale a little bit also, which is really nice.
“There are always expectations — your own and others’”
Absolutely, and it’s completely in style with the EP too. I always like that Leaves’ Eyes challenge themselves every time — with the releases and the videos. So how do you keep up with the expectations?
Yeah, but I think that goes with everything in life [laughs].
Absolutely.
There are always expectations — your own and others’. And you want to explore new ways musically. It comes naturally, because when you make something, you want to make it better next time — not necessarily bigger, but introduce new elements so it’s not always the same. It’s a very natural process.
As per tradition of Leaves’ Eyes…
As per tradition of Leaves’ Eyes, after an EP usually follows a full-length album. Are you already busy with that or taking some time to breathe?
No, we are very far in the process of the full-length album also. It’s definitely being worked on.
“We’re in the demo phase”
What can fans expect from that?
Yeah, that’s always a tricky question. Also because I myself don’t know exactly yet. We’re in the demo phase. You never really know how the final product will turn out or in which direction. But I know roughly what’s there.
And of course, we again want to explore new territories and push ourselves — me as a vocalist and everyone as musicians — to find the best combination of everything. And yes, topic-wise, I believe we’ll continue on this route of mystical and mythical themes again — but we’ll see what Alex comes up with too.
Closing words for Leaves’ Eyes
So Elina, I wanted to thank you for your time.
Thank you, and well, see you on stage tonight!