Discography
Ever since its formation, Leonov has found inspiration for its ethereal post-metal/doom in the existential – it is the sound of a world collapsing, a prayer for the suffering and a hope for emanating light.
We are glad to announce our new EP ‘Shape of Ash’, in collaboration with Pelagic records.
Music videos
Live show images
About Leonov
Leonov came to life in 2010, through a shared love for heavy atmospheric music, and the desire to create music that came naturally for the members, without genre restrictions. The band released their first album in 2014 through the record label Kokeplate, which led to radio plays and concerts at home and abroad.
In 2018 the band released their sophomore album, entitled “Wake”, released by the Oslo based record label Fysisk Format. It received high praise from reviewers and music bloggers at home and abroad. The music became heavier, but the band continued its love for great sound images and bold use of genres. The songs were of industrial size, packed with large guitars, swirling sounds and haunting vocals.
While being away from the live circuit for some time, the band channeled their longing through the completion of their third studio album “Procession”, released in November 2023, through Vinter Records. The band sees it as the natural evolution for the band. It’s still uniquely and recognizably Leonov, but feels more concise, punchy and ornamented at the same time.
Critics of «Shape of ash»
Few bands can move you so much with comparatively limited resources. The vocals alone are – at least in theory – more than enough to create an absolute emotional state of emergency, but Leonov tailors multi-layered, varied arrangements around them that trigger something deep within. They literally massage the heart and soul while simultaneously creating a feeling of oppression that is hard to describe. "Shape Of Ash" needs only four songs to create a welcome chaos – catharsis at its undisputed best and the perfect antithesis to the steamy summer. Demonic Nights.at, 2025.
You may have to be patient at times and may not be instantly gratified. The band is very different and will take some getting used to. Yet they’re sticking to their guns and their own creative direction, which I fully admire. Take the time to adjust to Leonov’s sound, listen to them more than once, and it’ll certainly be worth your while!
8/10
- Ever Metal, 2025.
Rather, this is roughly where doom, post rock, shoegaze and dark folk meet, and the end result is quite something. - Fittingly enough, trying to explain what Leonov are up to here is a little like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.
8/10
- Noizze magazine, 2025.
I truly enjoyed listening to this EP and the emotions it stirred in me. If you’re a fan of A Perfect Circle, Radiohead, or Archive, don’t hesitate — give “Shape of Ash” a listen. You won’t regret it.»
9/10
- Blessed Altar Zine, 2025.
Maintaining an eigmatic air of suspense throughout this EP, the Norwegians nocturnal, stranded-in-the-woods doom is by turns intrepid, forlorn and a majestically glacial rite, its metronomic pulse an echo of lost bearings
- Metal Hammer, 2025.
Critics of «Procession»
Procession confirms all the qualities released from the grooves of its illustrious predecessor five years ago. This time too, the landing of the Leonov spacecraft was flawless, all that remains is to tune in and enjoy the broadcasts.
8/10
- Grind on the road - 2023
This is a blend of post-metal which dwells in the darkest of corners whilst torches of flickering light offer guidance as to its whereabouts. There is a power to the soothing vocals and dark instrumentation which is transcendental in changing the mood around the space it occupies. Every moment is beautifully thought out but executed with a naturally free flowing ease. Leonov has created a memorable slice of post-metal which oozes individuality and a glowing endurance.
8/10
- echoes and dust, 2023.
The music is a tapestry of post-metal worldbuilding, delivered with doom immersion and progressive enhancements that simply enrich the feelings portrayed by the band’s detailed songwriting.
- Wonderbox metal, 2023.
”It's devastatingly pretty, but as soon as the post-chorus riff kicks in, I'm doing my Nasty Riff Stank Face? I don't know how they pull this off. ”.
- Inbox Infinity, 2023.
“What Leonov pulls off in these 41 minutes completely throws your inner emotional balance out of balance, and that's surprisingly a lot of fun. A strong voice alone does a lot right, but it's the emotionally charged arrangements with folky barrenness and metallic self-sacrifice that really put their stamp on the proceedings”.
- Demonic nights, 2023.
Critics of «Wake»
”We are talking about post-metal which totters on the precipice of sludge, accompanied by excellent and other worldly vocals of the most rarified variety.”
- Heavy Blog Is Heavy, 2018
”Wake is one of the most impressive doom albums of the year, seamlessly reporting clean and ghostly vocals with onerous and solemn instrumentation”
- Distorted Sound Magazine, 2018
”If you find the most profound, crushing and emotionally affecting metal album this year, introduce it to Wake and watch it walk away with its tail low”.
- Ghost Cult Magazine, 2018.
“Stylistically, the record builds the missing link between My Dying Bride and Emma Ruth Rundle, delivering stunning gothic doom performances with a folk twist. Seldomly does a record reach this amount of depth while maintaining a grounded, earthy sound that flows naturally”.
- Everything is noise, 2018.