Liv Kristine - River of Diamonds (2023)

After some years out of the spotlight, legendary vocalist Liv Kristine is finally back with a full-length release that is as lively and engaging as any of her previous works. While her 2021 EP “Have Courage Dear Heart” was a nice teaser, “River of Diamonds” fully expands on its dynamics and delivers one hell of a catchy, raw, and heartfelt release. If you have been a fan of any of her work with either Theatre of Tragedy, Leaves’ Eyes, or her solo releases, you know that this album will feature tons of excellent vocal melodies and superb songwriting.

The release kicks off with the lush “Our Immortal Day” and Liv’s enchanting vocals immediately come front and center. Particularly when dueting with Østen Bergøy, this opener is bombastic and quite exciting as it gives off some ToT “Aegis” vibes and we love it. This release also has a more raw and personal side to lyrics, particularly on strong songs like “No Makeup”, “Gravity” and “Maligana”, both tracks that showcase a new side of Liv and her personal growth.

Featuring Fernando Ribeiro from Moonspell on the album title track, we get another explosive and magical piece with superbly crafted melodies and vocal arrangements. Weirdly enough, this track has some nice H.I.M-esque vibes. The release also features some excellent covers like Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” and a solemn cover of Jon Lord's “Pictured Within”, featuring Liv’s husband Michael Espenæs. However, tracks like “Shaolin Me” and “Serenity” are staples of Gothic Metal that we all expect from Liv.

Overall, “River of Diamonds” is an excellent return from one of Metal’s most recognizable and charismatic singers. Each track showcases different aspects of Liv’s sound over the years and they all deliver signature melodic and catchy passages to get themselves stuck in your head for days. This release is highly recommended for fans of the genre, and of course, fans of Liv’s excellent musical career.

Label: Metalville Records

Release: April 21st, 2023

Genre: Gothic Metal

Country: Norway