Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have parted ways with longtime frontwoman Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull.

"Having worked together for almost ten years, we have now reached a point where we find ourselves with differences of opinion that cannot be bridged, and completely incompatible sets of ideas for the band's further development," the group said in an official statement. "The rest of the band will continue working with full force under the name THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, and sees this as an opportunity for further musical experimentation and evolution. This also involves finding a new, permanent, female singer, although not necessarily a replacement for Liv.

"Let it be said that there is no animosity from the band towards Liv, and we wish her all the best with her work."

As previously reported, Liv Kristine has teamed up with members of the German band ATROCITY (fronted by Liv's husband Alexander Krull) (photo) in a brand new group called LEAVES' EYES. LEAVES' EYES recently spent time at Alex's Mastersound studios in Stuttgart/Fellbach, Germany recording their first original songs, to be released in late 2003/early 2004 through an as-yet-undetermined label.

In addition to THEATRE OF TRAGEDY and LEAVES' EYES, Liv is currently involved in a pop project dubbed simply LIV KRISTINE. Two MP3 clips recently produced by Alex at Mastersound studios are available for download from Kristine's web site. Check them out: "The Woman in Me" (mp3), "U R the Night" (mp3).