Tuesday 2 September 2014

Lyriel - Skin And Bones (CD review)


01.Numbers
02.Falling Skies
03.Skin And Bones
04.Black And White
05.Days Had Just Begun
06.Your Eyes
07.Dust To Dust
08.Der Weg
09.Astray
10.Worth The Fight
11.Running In Our Blood
12.Dream Within A Dream
13.Black And White (Second Skin Version)


Jessica Thierjung (vocals)
Oliver Thierjung (Bass)
Linda Laukamp (Cello/Vocals)
Tim Sonnenstuhl (Guitar)
Markus Fidorra (Drums)
Joon Laukamp (Violin)

Guest:
Christian Alvestam (Vocal on Black And White)



German band formed in 2003, Lyriel's musical repertoire ranges from dreamy ballads, a pinch of medieval tunes, to heavy rock songs with elements of classical and Celtic folk music.
Distinct, related musical genres merge and become a new, particular style in Lyriel's music.
They distinguish themselves from other bands especially through playing the violin and the cello live on stage, instead of using keyboard-generated strings.

The band can play its entire repertoire either as a heavier rock set, or a folky acoustic set, which further highlights the musicians' versatility.



Falling somewhere between the pop/folk stylings of the Corrs and the commercial symphonic rock of Within Temptation the opening song 'Numbers' is a pleasent and catchy tune.

The next song 'Falling Skies', still retains the commercial pop/rock sound, but this one has a darker and heavier feel.

Some full on speed metal with 'Skin And Bones' before moving into some solid rock sounds, a well balanced song between harmony and agression and the use of "real" violin gives this a great lift above the bands who use a keyboard to get this sound.

The first version of 'Black And White' has a riff that reminds me of Lacuna Coil's 'Heavens A Lie' and the fact that this one has guest male vocals also adds to that general vibe, however the vocals soon turn to near black metal qualities thus reminding me of Tristania as well.... which is a good thing!

Could this next one be a dreaded ballad? Certainly 'Days Had Just Begun' starts that way, and for the most part sounds like an early 'All About Eve' folky ballad, but this one picks up with some simple chord structures and then a great bluesy solo.

Have to say that the violin kinda spoils 'Your Eyes' to start with, but the playing gets a little deeper and then the slow moving song speeds up and then starts to rock!

Celtic rock meets pop again with 'Dust To Dust', very melodic, very catchy, then its back to the mix of heavy rock and melodic vocals for the next song 'Der Weg' which is performed in their own language.

Blimey sounds like Kate Bush, this one really sticks out, just vocals and cello to create a dark and haunting song.

'Worth The Fight' is full on guitar riffs backed with some powerful drumming, the vocals simply soar above the music to help create a symphonic rock mini epic.

So they do get heavier! Oh yes 'Running In Our Blood' really pumps through the speakers, the vocal pulls the tempo back, then a huge chorus comes in and then, oh yes my dear reader, it fucking goes mental!

Ahh it was going so well, then its all nice piano and melodic vocals for a ballad 'Dream Within A Dream', but yes again they pull it back from the brink of boring by allowing the rest of the band to come in and rock it up a bit.

We end with the second version of 'Black And White', still sounds like 'Heavens A Lie' to start with, in fact so far sounds the same as the first version, but ahh i get it, they turned down the black metal vocal bit and most of the male vocals have been replaced by female vocals, think i prefer the first version.

Rating 9/10
For fans Of: Within Temptation, Turisas, Tristania, Epica, All About Eve, Lacuna Coil

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