Lyriel

Lyriel is a German folk metal band that was founded in Gummersbach in 2003. Three of the seven members of the band used to play in metal band Sorrowsend, existing since 1994. One of these three was the founder of the group – Oliver Thierjung who decided to create his own project with vocalist Jessica Thierjung. Then it was decided to add some other musical instruments. Two other musicians of Sorrowsend also joined the project. They were bassist Sven Engelmann and drummer Daniel de Beer. Later Martin Ahman, Linda Laukamp and Joon Laukamp joined the band. Until 2008 the band membership remained unchanged.

The band’s music is a fusion of magnificent medieval melodies and their unique style. Exciting ballads are changed by heavy riffs, classical arrangements and elements of folk metal. Magical Jessica’s voice combines all of this. Also it should be noticed that the live violin and cello are also a feature of Lyriel. The style of the group can be called a combination of Blackmore’s Night, Within Temptation and Nightwish.  In the summer of 2004, the musicians sign a contract with the independent label Black Bards Entertainment. The first album of Lyriel was released in January 2005 and it was titled Prisonworld. The band went on a tour to Germany, Austria and Belgium, together with Elis, Vision of Atlantis and Xandria. In 2006, the band takes part in the Romantic Darkness Tour with Regicide and Xandria. Also in 2006, the band published DVD, released by the label Black Bards Entertaiment. And in the same year the band released their second album Autumntales. The album received positive reviews from various magazines. In September 2008, Daniel de Beer left the band, and Marcus Fidorra replaced him. The next album Paranoid Circus was released on January 29, 2010. It received positive reviews from critics and fans all over the world. On January 1, 2011, the band signs a contract with AFM Records. In February 2012, the fourth album of the band Leverage was released. For Lyriel it was a new genre of symphonic metal and songs on the new album weren’t less successful than their usual folk melodies. Leverage received positive reviews in music publications in Germany, Austria and the UK. At the same time, critics conclude that the album is not so drive and energetic at the end of the album, and it is recommended for the band to continue to make their music heavier. Staying faithful to the tradition, the band added to the album two songs based on the poems of Robert Frost and Charlotte Brontë.