After being ousted from the formation 'Leaves 'Eyes' in 2016, the Norwegian 'Liv Kristine' had not released a solo album but continued to be active with, among other things, participations in other projects with, for example, recording 'Mankind' with 'Glassgod' or the invitation of her sister, singer of 'Middnatsol', on the last album of the gothic metal band 'The Afternath' from 2018 but also created a new project in 2020, 'Coldbound', with a first single 'Slumber of Decay' released in February 2021. Its last solo album is already from 2014 with 'Vervain' and she continued to collaborate with guitarist 'Tommy Olsson' with result, this new EP, 'Have Courage Dear Heart', which contains 5 tracks including 'Skylight', released as a single in 2019 and of which a very nice acoustic version of 'Skylight Cathedral' is present on this record, the other three tracks being the leading 'Serenity' with the expressive vocals of Liv which always brings as much authenticity and freshness, then, the ballad 'Have Courage Dear Heart' in crescendo with a remarkable rhythm section which gradually petit is gaining momentum, and finally, a second ballad, 'Gravity' in which we let ourselves be lulled by the bewitching song of the Norwegian. Note that there is a version (currently not available on Spotify) which adds five live tracks recorded in 2019 to 'Nagold' including 'Schubert' Ave Maria '.
In short, despite a short duration (normal for an EP), 'Have Courage Dear Heart' allows us to wait until the release of a new album by this charismatic singer who is equally at ease in Gothic metal than in quieter atmospheres in which she always exudes real emotion... | |
