I know people who got paranoid at the circus; clowns are out to get me agh! But in all seriousness let’s not get in an uproar about the album title let us look at Lyriel from Germany instead. This female fronted outfit, as the record label suggests, play self described Celtic rock and this is the third album from the band who were previously on Black Bards Entertainment. They have in the past had a guest spot on album from Sabine Dünser ex Elis and sung a song in Sindarin, the language of the elves in Lord Of The Rings! The band also is made up by a couple of ex members of Sorrowsend.
The album is opened by a compare Simon Jager who apparently provided the German voice of actors such as Heath Ledger and Matt Damon! You can follow any actual story behind the circus with the lyrics and to me it is the first couple of songs here that really stand out. ‘Welcome’ has a lilting melody and instantly enchants with the vocals which are very maiden orientated (that’s in a ladylike fashion I hasten to add). This is a gentle start and the performance within the album is augmented by violin and cello which definitely pick up the pace to a jig on ‘Like A Feather In The Wind,’ which stands out as the catchiest number on the album.
Overall listening to this is very much like stepping back into time there is a very carefree feel to it and musically, at times with the vocal plainsong style it’s almost like a trip back to the renaissance. I think describing this as rock rather than metal is a good move as on the whole it is a soothing listen with the caress of lovelorn ode ‘Regret’ and the gorgeous self explanatory ‘Lullaby.’ Occasionally things rise to a tempestuous climax as with the drumming salvo on ‘Elderberry And Lavender’ but that is the exception to the rule.
I can see this appealing to a lot of people, from those like me who remember the likes of All About Eve with fondness to those lovers of bands like Autumn Tears and even the more bombastic fans of Nightwish et al. It’s a nice, on the whole relaxing listen and one that although simple in execution is wholly involving and sincere.
http://www.lyriel.net
http://www.myspace.com/lyrielband
