Liv Kristine has had quite the lucrative career, fronting a couple of bands that have been key players in the development of gothic and symphonic metal. So many bands have taken influence from her works that to say she is a spearhead in symphonic metal might be an understatement. While we are all familiar with the grandiose bands that are Theatre of Tragedy and Leaves’ Eyes, it’s her interesting and diverse solo career that catches our attention this time around.

From pop-rock to a valiant return to gothic metal, we talk with Liv about how she has progressed with her own project without a theme,  has been able to continue to dabble into new creative planes, and how her music has developed over the 17 years she has being recording and writing solo.

Read an extract from the interview and listen to the full interview below:

So has your solo career been a personal outlet for your creativity?

Oh yeah. Because there’s a lot of it! My friends and band members always call me a ‘hyperactive artist’. So there’s a lot, and I’m always happy to expand into different directions, and also to rediscover my roots and where I come from.

Do you find yourself writing a lot in your downtime for your solo career?

Yea of course. When we finish Leaves’ Eyes productions we might find ourselves writing for a solo album, it’s always in periods. Nothing happens parallel. It’s always good when we’ve finished a massive Leaves’ Eyes production that we go back more to basics and start with guitar, bass and vocals.

Just strip it back down again?

Exactly! Just strip it back down again. Feels good!

I’m sure it’s quite refreshing after doing such a massive album!

Yea absolutely!