Historically, the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal world was unofficially known as the ‘boys club.’ Save a few bold ladies who have stood on their own, such as Doro (a part of Warlock and as a solo artist), Joan Jett and Lita Ford (both as part of The Runaways before successful solo careers), and the Ann and Nancy Wilson in Heart, for a little over twenty years, these two genres of music have been dominated by men.
More equal now than ever before, progress has been steady, with all-female bands like Kittie in the late ‘90s, Angela Gossow leading Arch Enemy in the 2000s, and others like Tarja Turunen in Nightwish helping the cause. Paving the way for others like Amy Lee with Evanescence and Lzzy Hale in Halestorm, these strong female voices should also be joined by Sweden’s Liv Jagrell.
Perhaps not as mainstream as the other names mentioned, Liv Jagrell has been on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal scene since the late ‘90s, when she began playing in local bands as a teenager. Soon going on to lead Sister Sin, the band had an international breakthrough thanks to dedication and hard work, which landed them on tours with the likes of Slayer and Motörhead. Standing out because of Jagrell’s unmistakably powerful voice, which had intensity and energy, she soon spread her wings outside Sister Sin, forming a new band called LIV SIN in 2016.
A developing project, LIV SIN debuted in 2017 with Follow Me, then released Burning Sermons in 2019, and in 2023 unleashed the incredibly eye-opening KaliYuga. The latter finding, Jagrell diversifying her vocal approach even more, showed that she can coexist in the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal realms simultaneously. What some might call a breakthrough album, KaliYuga featured some touring (including a run with Deathstars around Europe in 203), solidifying LIV SIN as a well-respected band in the Heavy Metal community. Deserving wider acclaim, now in 2025, LIV SIN pick up where KaLiYuga left off with the blistering new album Close Your Eyes.
Released on August 8, 2025, through Seek & Strike, the new album is heavier and more furious than anything Liv Jagrell or LIV SIN has ever done. Driven by Jagrell’s show-stopping performance, she goes from throaty growls to rough Heavy Metal shouts to clean singing here, there, and everywhere. Full of emotion, Jagrell’s comfort with each dynamic of her voice shines through, making the songs of Close Your Eyes feel both meaningful and mighty. Featuring new Guitarists Sonny Bloom and Ante Raw, returning are Per Bjevoluk on drums and Daniel Skoglund on bass, as they all held the reins on the production for the album. With complete control of the sound, they called on Tue Madsen (who has worked with everyone from Dark Tranquillity to Moonspell) to mix the album, which is balanced as a Classic Metal record should be without overcrowding.
Full of vigor from the start, songs like “Praise The Winners” and “Shades Of The Sun” grabs you by the throat while the Power Metal leaning “Close Your Eyes” (featuring Scar Symtrey’s Lars Palmqvist) and the chant-along “The Mask” keeps you going, and “It’s Not Your Life” (with Scarlet on guest vocals) offerings you something completely different. This is while others like “I Refuse” are a stunning mix of heaviness and darker Gothic Metal in various sections that engage your senses, as does the closer “Hold It Together.”
Altogether, LIV SIN has put together a Heavy Metal record that defies sub-genres, blurring the lines between traditional Heavy Metal and modern Extreme Metal. A refreshing listen with plenty of ebbs and flows, Cryptic Rock gives Close Your Eyes 5 out of 5 stars.
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