Liv Kristine

Liv Kristine Espenæs
Background information
Birth name Liv Kristine Espenæs
Also known as Liv Kristine
Born (1976-02-14) 14 February 1976
Origin Stavanger, Norway
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1993–present
Labels Napalm Records
Associated acts
Website livkristine.com

Liv Kristine Espenæs (born 14 February 1976 in Stavanger, Norway), better known as Liv Kristine, is a singer/songwriter who has performed and composed songs mostly for various subgenres of heavy metal music. She is known for her work in close association with her then-husband and leader of the German band Atrocity, Alexander Krull. She started her career in the music industry as a vocalist for the gothic metal band Theatre of Tragedy, and is the former lead vocalist for the symphonic metal band Leaves' Eyes.

Career

Interested in music from an early age, Liv Kristine joined the Norwegian gothic metal band Theatre of Tragedy in 1994 as a backup singer, but was soon sharing lead vocals duties with Raymond István Rohonyi.[1] She was fired from Theatre of Tragedy in 2003, a fact she learned about through the band's website.[2] She had been living in Germany since 1996 and collaborating with the death metal band Atrocity, whose singer Alexander Krull she married on 3 July 2003.[3] With the five musicians from Atrocity she formed a new band, Leaves' Eyes, in August 2003.[4] She has also released four solo albums, the most recent of which was released in October 2014 through Napalm Records.

On 16 April 2016, Leaves' Eyes stated that Liv Kristine, who formed and was the idea of the band project, was no longer the singer of the Band.[5]

In 2005, Liv Kristine was nominated for a Grammy award with Cradle of Filth for the song "Nymphetamine".[6]

Kristine has a soprano vocal range.[7]

In 2016, Eluveitie announced that Kristine will be their new session vocalist for a couple of their live shows.

Private life

On 3 July 2003 Liv Kristine married Atrocity vocalist Alexander Krull.[3] They have a son, Leon Alexander.[3] Liv Kristine and her husband split up again in early January 2016. [8]

Her younger sister, Carmen Elise Espenæs, is the vocalist of the German symphonic/folk metal band Midnattsol[9] and of the Norwegian gothic/folk metal band Savn.[10]

Contributions to music

Liv Kristine at a live show in Israel, 2016

Kristine helped to pioneer the beauty and the beast vocals approach, later used by many other successful bands such as Tristania, After Forever, Epica and Within Temptation in their beginnings. The term "beauty and the beast" refers to an aesthetic contrasting "angelic" female vocals with male growls or aggressive singing.[11] Paradise Lost and The Gathering had already made use of this technique on some songs from their earlier albums but it was the Norwegian Theatre of Tragedy, Kristine's former band, that first released an entire album devoted to this approach with their self-titled debut in 1995.

A second album Velvet Darkness They Fear arrived in the following year.[12] Theatre of Tragedy's third album Aégis in 1998 saw the band "venturing into fresh musical territory".[12] The piano was replaced by electronic keyboards while Raymond Rohonyi opted to discard his death growls in favor of a "soft, spoken, sometimes whispering voice".[13] The music was more clean and soft,[13] "stripped of guitar harshness" but with a "near flawless execution" that "prompted many European critics to award Aégis perfect review scores".[12]

For over a decade, this beauty and the beast aesthetic has flourished with many representatives across the European continent.[11] Cradle of Filth has also been known to make use of this approach through guest female vocalists such as Liv Kristine and Sarah Jezebel Deva.[14]

Discography

Liv Kristine and Alexander Krull
Further information: Leaves' Eyes § Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
Deus Ex Machina
  • Released: 2 March 1998
  • Label: Swanlake
  • Formats: CD, digital download[15]
Enter My Religion
  • Released: 13 February 2006
  • Label: Roadrunner Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download[16]
Skintight
  • Released: 27 August 2010
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download[17]
Libertine
  • Released: 7 September 2012
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download[18]
Vervain
  • Released: 24 October 2014
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
GER
[19]
"3am" 1998 — Deus Ex Machina
"Take Good Care" —
"3am" – "Fanedition" 1999 —
"One Love" — non-album single
"Fake a Smile" 2006 94 Enter My Religion
"Over the Moon" —
"Trapped in Your Labyrinth" —
"Skintight"[20] 2010 — Skintight
"Paris Paris" 2012 — Libertine
"Love Decay (feat. Michelle Darkness)" 2014 — Vervain
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Title Album details
Fake a Smile
  • Released: 27 January 2006
  • Label: Roadrunner Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download[21]

Music videos

Title Year Directed Album
"Fake a Smile" 2006
—
 Enter My Religion
"Skintight" 2010 Patric Ullaeus Skintight
"Paris Paris" 2012 Libertine
"Love Decay" 2014
—
 Vervain

Other appearances

Album Notes Year Ref.
Theatre of Tragedy – Theatre of Tragedy band member 1995 [22]
Theatre of Tragedy – Velvet Darkness They Fear band member 1996 [23]
Atrocity – Werk 80 additional vocals
(appears also in "Shout" music video)		 1997 [24]
Theatre of Tragedy – A Rose for the Dead band member 1997 [25]
Theatre of Tragedy – Aégis band member 1998 [26]
Heavenwood – Swallow vocals on "Downcast" 1998 [24]
Atrocity & Silke Bischoff – "Blue Moon" additional vocals (non-album single) 1998 [24]
Atrocity – Non Plus Ultra 1989–1999 additional vocals 1999 [27]
WeltenBrand – Der Untergang von Trisona vocals on "The Devil Gets the Profiteer" 1999 [24]
Das Ich – Re-Laborat vocals on "Des Satans neue Kleider" (Atrocity Remix) 2000 [24]
Atrocity – Gemini additional vocals 2000 [24]
Theatre of Tragedy – Musique band member 2000 [28]
Atrocity – Thank You – A Tribute to The Sisters of Mercy vocals on "More" 2000 [24]
Theatre of Tragedy – Inperspective band member 2001 [24]
Theatre of Tragedy – Closure: Live band member 2001 [29]
Theatre of Tragedy – Assembly band member 2002 [30]
Genius – A Rock Opera Part II vocals on "To Be Free" 2004 [31]
Immortal Rites – Art of Devolution vocals on "Mirror Reflections" 2004 [24]
Hortus Animae – The Lotus Eaters – Dead Can Dance Tribute vocals on "Summoning of the Muse" 2004 [32]
Cradle of Filth – Nymphetamine vocals on "Nymphetamine"
(appears also in music video for the song)		 2004 [33]
Atrocity – Atlantis additional vocals 2004 [24]
Umbra et Imago – Motus Animi "Ein letztes Mal" (Leaves' Eyes Remix) 2005 [34]
Delain – Lucidity vocals on "See Me in Shadow" and "Day for Ghosts" 2006 [35]
Atrocity – Werk 80 II additional vocals
(appears also in "Fade To Grey" and
"The Sun Always Shines On TV" music videos)		 2008 [36]
Doro Pesch – Fear No Evil backing vocals on "Celebrate" 2009 [37]
Legio Mortis – The Human Creation and The Devil's Contribution vocals on "Life Denied" 2011 [38]
Bob Katsionis – Rest in Keys vocals on "Rendez-Vous in the Sky" 2012 [39]
Týr – Valkyrja vocals on "The Lay of Our Love"
(appears also in music video for the song)		 2013 [40]
Romanthica – Eterno vocals on "Despierta" 2013 [41]
Primal Fear – Delivering the Black backing vocals on "Born with a Broken Heart" 2014 [42]
Savn – Savn vocals on "I Am Free" 2014 [43]

References

  1. ↑ "Liv Kristine – Official Website". Livkristine.de. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
  2. ↑ "Ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY Singer Says She Was Betrayed And Deceived By Her Bandmates". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 27 August 2003. Archived from the original on 3 October 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Dunphy, John (15 July 2005). "Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull (Leaves Eyes) : Interview". Music Tap.net. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  4. ↑ Reesman, Bryan. "Atrocity: Twenty Years of Passion, Progression and Perseverance," Metal Maniacs, December 2006, p. 113
  5. ↑ "Liv Kristine – Official Website » LEAVES' EYES announce new singer".
  6. ↑ "Artists – LIv Kristine". Napalm Records. 2012. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  7. ↑ Interview with Liv Kristine about 'Njord'- Metalexperience webzine, december 2009. Metal-experience.com (2009-12-16). Retrieved on 2012-08-05.
  8. ↑ "Leaves' Eyes – Official Website » Brand new interview for ROCK COR / Russia!".
  9. ↑ Nordlys – CD von Midnattsol. Emp.de (2007-12-27). Retrieved on 2012-08-05.
  10. ↑ "Midnattsol, The Sins Of Thy Beloved Members Join Forces In Savn - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  11. 1 2 Reesman, Bryan (November 1, 2007). "They Will Rise: Metal's female ranks on the move". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Theatre of Tragedy". MusicMight. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  13. 1 2 Eldefors, Vincent. "Aégis review". Tartareandesire.com. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  14. ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Cradle of Filth". MusicMight. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  15. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Deus Ex Machina by Liv Kristine". iTunes. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Enter My Religion by Liv Kristine". iTunes. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  17. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Skintight by Liv Kristine". iTunes. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  18. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Libertine by Liv Kristine". iTunes. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, K�nstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche – musicline.de". musicline.de. Retrieved 28 October 2014. replacement character in |title= at position 100 (help)
  20. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Skintight – Single by Liv Kristine". iTunes. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  21. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Fake a Smile – EP by Liv Kristine". iTunes. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "Theatre of Tragedy – Theatre of Tragedy – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  23. ↑ "Velvet Darkness They Fear – Theatre of Tragedy – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Liv Kristine – Official Website » Discography". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  25. ↑ "MASSACRE RECORDS - Independent Heavy Metal Label from Germany representing artists such as King Diamond, Legion of The Damned, Eisregen and many other international artists.".
  26. ↑ "AFM Records AFM Records – Artists – Theatre Of Tragedy". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "Non Plus Ultra – Atrocity – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "Musique – Theatre of Tragedy – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "MASSACRE RECORDS - Independent Heavy Metal Label from Germany representing artists such as King Diamond, Legion of The Damned, Eisregen and many other international artists.".
  30. ↑ "Assembly – Theatre of Tragedy – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  31. ↑ "Genius – Episode 2: In Search of the Little Prince – Genius,Daniele Liverani – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  32. ↑ "Dead Can Dance Tribute: The Lotus Eaters – Lotus Eaters – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "Nymphetamine – Cradle of Filth – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "LEAVES' EYES Featured On UMBRA ET IMAGO Remix Album". bravewords.com. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "Lucidity – Delain – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  36. ↑ "Werk 80 II – Atrocity – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  37. ↑ "Fear No Evil – Doro – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  38. ↑ "Legio Mortis – The Human Creation And The Devil's Contribution". Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  39. ↑ "Rest In Keys – BOB KATSIONIS". BOB KATSIONIS. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  40. ↑ "Valkyrja – Týr – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  41. ↑ "Liv Kristine Guesting On New Romanthica Album".
  42. ↑ "Delivering the Black – Primal Fear – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  43. ↑ "Savn – Savn – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
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