Artist: Lyriel
Title: Leverage
Genre: Gothic / Folk Rock
Release Date: 24th February 2012
Label: AFM Records
Album Review
LYRIEL sounds as a name of an angel or a fairy, but it’s a band founded in 2003, yet the connection to folklore remains -their Metal sound incorporates folk elements enough to be categorised as Folk Metal as well as Gothic. They’ve released three albums as well as their re-mastered releases as they kept changing labels. Fourth album ‘Leverage’ is about to hit the streets. The album opens with a theatrically orientated intro ‘When it’s coming to an end...’ eerie tick of the clock, creaking and whisperings. Another song that utilises dramatic elements albeit differently and by the sole power of singing and strong melody hook is ‘Voices In My Head’, one of the best moments of the album, the riffs are harsh and stop the song becoming far too epic, but epic it is nevertheless. ‘Parting’ is a great song, which shows off their combination of harsher Metal riffs with the Folk side of the music, here with Celtic undertones. In ‘White Lily’ they demonstrate how well they mix the softer with the harder out of the Folk equation too. Their fusion of sounds and style comes out tastefully and done with an ear for a just measure - nothing is overdone, or underdone for that matter. Their music possesses the oomph and the fierce energy of Metal and has all the fun of the Rock too and the result is convincing.
Due to these superbly executed contrasts and also vocally it’s also the song to savour, another of the best, strongest songs of the album. Jessica Thierjung’s vocal is superbly accompanied by Linda Laukamp throughout the whole LP, though I also think that they could have been more in conflict and more juxtaposed to push the listener more out of the comfort zone and draw out the dramatic aspect of their work more. ‘The Road Not Taken’ is one of the slow down the tempo kind of songs and a great example of the two ladies singing wonderfully together, beautifully accompanied by cello and violin and acoustic guitar. You will also find some songs sung in German such as the excellent ‘Aus Der Tiefe’ (From The Deep) with a beautiful sense of narration, folk elements in fast tempo and great work on the drums. ‘Wenn Die Engel Fallen’ (‘When The Angels Fall’) sees a male vocal entering, a song sweet (in a non-cheesy way) and powerful at the same time. LYRIEL gives a rewarding experience to their fans and listeners with their fourth full-length ‘Leverage’, an altogether an album of a great quality; it’s enjoyable and has many aspects that pique the interest.
Tracklist
01. When it’s coming to an end...
02. Leverage
03. Parting
04. Voices In My Head
05. The Road Not Taken
06. White Lily
07. Aus Der Tiefe
08. Wenn Die Engel Fallen
09. Side By Side
10. Repentance
Line-up
JessicaThierjung – vocals
Linda Laukamp – cello, additional vocals
Joon Laukamp – violin
Oliver Thierjung – guitars
Tim Sonnenstuhl – guitars
Steffen Feldmann – bass
Marcus Fidorra – drums & percussion
Websites
www.lyriel.net / http://www.myspace.com/lyrielband
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 8.5
Total: 8.75 /10
Buy the Standard Edition here
Comments powered by CComment