River Of Diamonds, the sixth solo album by the queen of Scandinavian gothic metal, continues the path set by the internationally acclaimed EP, Have Courage Dear Heart (2021). Guests include Fernando Ribeiro (Moonspell) and Liv's sister Carmen Elise Espenæs (Savn, Midnattsol).
“Each song follows a path of strong authenticity and unbound creativity, which is my innermost and first criterion since Theatre Of Tragedy, Deus Ex Machina, and Lovelorn. The lifeline that flows through all twelve compositions unveils a heart-based personal path, a sense of deeper truth and a soul vision of pure bliss consciousness - an eternal river of diamonds.” (Liv Kristine)
Every track on River of Diamonds was composed by Liv's long-time friend Tommy Olsson (Theatre of Tragedy, Long Night) at his Black Rider Records studio in Tau, near Liv Kristine's birthplace of Stavanger in Norway.
Carefully spending time with the compositions that kept coming out of Tommy's studio in 2021 and 2022 felt just right, like a yin-yang experience - music and pre-mix (Tommy O.), own lyrics and melodies, the finishing touches (mix & master by Eroc) and visuals (photos by M. Rohbach) merged into exactly the album Liv had passionately longed for.
"Our Immortal Day" is a duet with the incomparable singer Østen Bergøy (Long Night, Tristania). Said Liv of the song, "I just love that Sisters of Mercy feeling." Fernando lifted the title track to a new, magical level. Liv's sister appears as an exceptional duet partner on "Love Me High." Additionally, Liv's husband Michael Espenæs is the voice behind the highly emotional take on Jon Lord's masterpiece "Pictured Within," while "True Colors" (Cindy Lauper) was beautifully re-recorded by Ecor (Rocco Cogliati) on keyboards and piano.