View source for Lyriel

{{Short description|German heavy metal band}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name                = Lyriel
| image               =
| caption             =
| image_size          =
| background          = group_or_band
| birth_name          =
| alias               =
| origin              = [[Gummersbach]], {{GER}}
| instrument          =
| genre               = [[Folk metal]]<br>[[Folk rock]]<br>[[Celtic metal]]<br>[[Symphonic metal]]<br>[[Gothic metal]]
| occupation          =
| years_active        = 2003-present
| label               = Black Bard<br>Femme Metal Records<br>[[AFM Records|AFM]]
| associated_acts     =
| website             = [http://www.lyriel-band.de/ lyriel-band.de]
| current_members     = Jessica Thierjung<br>Thomas Raser<br>Linda Laukamp<br>Joon Laukamp<br>Marcus Fidorra<br>Tim Sonnenstuhl
| past_members        = Daniel de Beer<br>Sven Engelmann<br>Martin Ahman<br>Johannes Anand<br>Matthias Kirchler<br>Steffen Feldmann<br>Olliver Thierjung
}}
'''Lyriel''' are a German [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band who formed in autumn of 2003 in [[Gummersbach]]. Originally playing [[folk metal]], they turned more towards [[symphonic metal|symphonic]] and [[gothic metal]]. Lyriel has recorded five studio albums and published a DVD of a live performance.
==History==
The band's lineup remained unchanged from their formation until 2008. Lyriel played as opening act for bands such as [[Elis (band)|Elis]], [[Visions of Atlantis]], [[Regicide (band)|Regicide]], [[Xandria]], [[Schandmaul]], [[Corvus Corax (band)|Corvus Corax]], [[Saltatio Mortis]],<ref name=sonic>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/component/option,com_reviews/anzeige,871/func,detail/ |title=Prisonworld |first=Markus |last=Eck |language=de |magazine=Sonic Seducer |issue=2/2005 |publisher=Thomas Vogel Media e.K. |access-date=2010-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219034113/http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/component/option,com_reviews/anzeige,871/func,detail/ |archive-date=2013-12-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Oomph]], [[Schelmish]], [[Korpiklaani]] and [[Manfred Mann's Earth Band]].
In 2005 they toured Germany, [[Austria]] and [[Belgium]] with Elis and Visions of Atlantis, in February 2006 Lyriel played on the “Romantic Darkness Tour“ together with Regicide and Xandria. Moreover, they played on the [[Celtic Rock]] Festival at Greifenstein castle in [[Hesse]]. A video was released of the show. The first studio album ''[[Prisonworld]]'' was released on 17 January 2005. Especially notable is the song "Lind e-huil" which is sung in [[Sindarin]], a fictional [[Elvish languages|Elvish language]] created by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]. The song "The Symmetry of Disfiguration" was inspired by [[Wendy and Richard Pini]]'s ''[[Elfquest]]'' series.<ref name=Amboss/>
Their second studio album ''[[Autumntales]]'' was published on 29 September 2006. It continues the band's style and among other songs contains a cover version of "[[Hijo de la Luna]]". The performance of the string instruments was lauded by the musical press, as well as Jessica Thierjung's singing.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gothic-magazine.de/index.php?site=magazine&no=55 |title=Gothic Magazine No.&nbsp;55 |language=de |magazine=Gothic Magazine |number=55 |publisher=DarkMedia Verlag}}</ref> The track "My Favourite Dream", recorded together with Sabine Dünser of Elis, was also acclaimed as one of the harder songs on the album.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/component/option,com_reviews/anzeige,2199/func,detail/ |title=Autumntales |magazine=Sonic Seducer |language=de |issue=11/2006 |publisher=Thomas Vogel Media e.K. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308212829/http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/component/option,com_reviews/anzeige,2199/func,detail/ |archive-date=2012-03-08 }}</ref>
In September 2008 drummer Daniel de Beer left the band and was replaced by Marcus Fidorra. Since then the lineup has changed several times.
''The First Chapters'', a remastered compilation album containing the first two studio albums was published in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lyriel.net/#/discography/album/the_first_chapters |title=Discography 2009 |work=Lyriel official homepage |accessdate=13 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425185349/http://www.lyriel.net/#/discography/album/the_first_chapters |archive-date=25 April 2012 }}</ref> A new album ''[[Paranoid Circus]]'' followed on 29 January 2010. German [[Voice acting|voice actor]] Simon Jäger, known for dubbing actors like [[Heath Ledger]] and [[Matt Damon]], appears as a guest artist on the album, reading an introduction and an excerpt from [[Hermann Hesse]]'s short story ''The Wolf'' in the middle of the album.  German and Austrian reviews agreed that while offering a high musical standard this album lacks the general speed of the previous releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-glory.de/reviews_neu.php?nr=19536 |title= Lyriel (Deutschland) "Paranoid Circus" CD |work=METALGLORY Magazine|date=19 April 2010 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/component/option,com_reviews/anzeige,9389/func,detail/ |title=Paranoid Circus |work=Sonic Seducer |language=de |publisher=Thomas Vogel Media e.K. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000251/http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/component/option%2Ccom_reviews/anzeige%2C9389/func%2Cdetail/ |archive-date=2013-12-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stormbringer.at/reviews.php?id=4753 |title=Lyriel - Paranoid Circus (CD) |last=Schubert | first=Bernhard |date=3 February 2010 |work=Stormbringer. The Austrian Heavyzine |language=de}}</ref> The album was re-released on AFM Records in April 2011 with a new cover artwork and 2 bonus tracks.<ref name=Schneider/>
Lyriel signed with [[AFM Records]] in 2011.<ref name=Schneider>{{cite web|url=http://powermetal.de/news/news-LYRIEL_jetzt_bei_AFM,25948.html |title=Lyriel jetzt bei AFM |work=Powermetal.de |first=Martin |last=Schneider |language=de |publisher=Weihrauch Medien Verlag |date=14 March 2011 |accessdate=19 March 2012}}</ref> A fourth album named ''[[Leverage (album)|Leverage]]'' was released in February 2012. Among a mix of soft folk rock as well as symphonic metal,<ref name=PM/><ref name=Schubert/> it features a duet with [[Schandmaul]] vocalist Thomas Lindner.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Soundcheck |first=Torsten |last=Schäfer |magazine=Sonic Seducer |language=de |page=89 |issue=2 |year=2012}}</ref> ''Leverage'' received positive reviews in Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom. It was however noted that the "album does lose some steam near its conclusion"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jukeboxmetal.com/2012/lyriel-leverage/ |title=Lyriel – Leverage |work=Jukebox:Metal |first=James |last=Donovan |accessdate=19 March 2012 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005111/http://www.jukeboxmetal.com/2012/lyriel-leverage/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and that the band should have dared to evolve towards harder metal songs.<ref name=PM/><ref name=Schubert/> ''Leverage'' contains two songs "[[The Road Not Taken (poem)|The Road Not Taken]]" and "Parting" that are based on lyrics by [[Robert Frost]] and [[Charlotte Brontë]] respectively<ref name=credits>{{cite AV media notes|title=Leverage |others=Lyriel |year=2012 |chapter=Credits|type=booklet|page=8|publisher=[[AFM Records]]}}</ref> On the extended edition there is a version of "Everything's Coming Up Roses" by [[Black (singer)|Black]].<ref name=credits/><ref>{{cite web |title=Leverage |work=Lyriel official homepage |accessdate=13 April 2012 |url=http://www.lyriel.net/#/discography/album/leverage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425185349/http://www.lyriel.net/#/discography/album/leverage |archive-date=25 April 2012 }}</ref>
The band's fifth album [[Skin and Bones (Lyriel album)|''Skin and Bones'']] was released in September 2014 after bassist Steffen Feldmann had left the band.<ref>{{cite web| url={{allMusic |pure_url=yes |id=mw0002737555 |class=album}} |title=Lyriel – Skin and Bones |work=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=24 November 2014}}</ref> In March 2015, founding member Oliver Thierjung announced that he had left the band because of health issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/lyrielofficial/ |title=Lyriel (Official) |publisher=Facebook |date=3 March 2015 |accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref> He was replaced by Thomas Raser in April that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/lyrielofficial/ |title=Lyriel (Official) |publisher=Facebook |date=24 April 2015 |accessdate=7 February 2016}}</ref> Also in April 2015, the band released a 10-years-anniversary EP called ''10''.
==Style and influences==
The septet designate their music "Dark Romantic Celtic Rock". Lyriel's repertoire ranges from medievally inspired [[ballad]]s to hard [[rock music|rock]] pieces with elements of classical and folk music.<ref name=Amboss>{{cite web|url=http://www.amboss-mag.de/interviews/archivIB/i05/lyriel.html|publisher=AMBOSS Musik-Magazin|language=de|title=Der Elf tanzt, wenn die Elfe singt|year=2005}} Interview.</ref> Early recordings were frequently compared to [[Blackmore's Night]],<ref name=sonic/><ref name=Amboss/> but the band has evolved towards [[symphonic metal]]<ref name=PM>{{cite web|url=http://powermetal.de/review/review-Lyriel/Leverage,20093.html |title=Lyriel - Leverage |first=Erika |last=Becker |language=de |work=Powermetal.de |publisher=Weihrauch Medien Verlag |date=23 February 2012 |accessdate=19 March 2012}}</ref><ref name=Schubert>{{cite web|url=http://www.stormbringer.at/reviews.php?id=7588 |title=Lyriel - Leverage |work=Stormbringer. The Austrian Heavyzine |first=Bernhard |last=Schubert |date=20 February 2012|accessdate=19 March 2012 |language=de}}</ref> with [[Gothic metal|gothic]] influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/CD-Rezensionen_Reviews_Plattentests_..K..L../Lyriel_Leverage_-_Rezension_Review_Kritik.html |title=Lyriel – "Leverage" |author=Medusa |work=Sonic Seducer |language=de |publisher=Thomas Vogel Media e.K. |accessdate=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718084912/http://www.sonic-seducer.de/index.php/CD-Rezensionen_Reviews_Plattentests_..K..L../Lyriel_Leverage_-_Rezension_Review_Kritik.html |archive-date=18 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Band Members==
===Current members===
*Jessica Thierjung - vocals <small>(2003–present)</small>
*Linda Laukamp - cello, backing vocals <small>(2003–present)</small>
*Joon Laukamp - violin <small>(2005-2010, 2011–present)</small>
*Marcus Fidorra - drums <small>(2008–present)</small>
*Tim Sonnenstuhl - guitars <small>(2011–present)</small>, bass <small>(2011)</small>
*Thomas Raser - bass, backing vocals <small>(2015–present)</small>
===Former Members===
*Claudia Schäfer - violin <small>(2003-2005)</small>
*Daniel de Beer - drums <small>(2003-2008)</small>
*Sven Engelmann - bass <small>(2003-2010)</small>
*Martin Ahmann - keyboards <small>(2003-2010)</small>
*Oliver Thierjung - guitars <small>(2003-2013)</small>, bass <small>(2013-2015)</small>, backing vocals <small>(2003-2015)</small>
*Matthias Kirchler - bass <small>(2010-2011)</small>
*Johannes Anand - violin <small>(2010-2011)</small>
*Steffen Feldmann - bass <small>(2011-2013)</small>
'''Timeline'''
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:100 top:0 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:10/01/2003 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Colors =
id:vocals      value:red          legend:Lead_Vocals
id:backing     value:pink         legend:Backing_Vocals
id:guitar      value:green        legend:Guitar
id:violin      value:drabgreen    legend:Violin
id:bass        value:blue         legend:Bass
id:cello       value:darkblue     legend:Cello
id:keys        value:purple       legend:Keyboards
id:drums       value:orange       legend:Drums
id:studio      value:black        legend:Studio_Album
id:other       value:gray(0.6)    legend:DVD,_EP
id:bars        value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
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LineData =
layer:back
color:studio
at:01/17/2005
at:09/29/2006
at:12/01/2009
at:04/25/2012
at:09/26/2014
LineData =
layer:back
color:other
at:12/01/2005
at:04/20/2015
BarData =
bar:Jessica text:"Jessica Thierjung"
bar:Oliver  text:"Oliver Thierjung"
bar:Claudia text:"Claudia Schäfer"
bar:Joon    text:"Joon Laukamp"
bar:Johan   text:"Johannes Anand"
bar:Sven    text:"Sven Engelmann"
bar:Matt    text:"Matthias Kirchler"
bar:Tim     text:"Tim Sonnenstuhl"
bar:Steffen text:"Steffen Feldmann"
bar:Thomas  text:"Thomas Raser"
bar:Linda   text:"Linda Laukamp"
bar:Martin  text:"Martin Ahmann"
bar:Daniel  text:"Daniel de Beer"
bar:Marcus  text:"Marcus Fidorra"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Jessica from:10/01/2003 till:end        color:vocals
bar:Oliver  from:10/01/2003 till:06/01/2013 color:guitar
bar:Oliver  from:10/01/2003 till:03/03/2015 color:backing width:3
bar:Oliver  from:06/01/2013 till:03/03/2015 color:bass
bar:Claudia from:10/01/2003 till:09/01/2005 color:violin
bar:Joon    from:09/01/2005 till:06/01/2010 color:violin
bar:Johan   from:06/01/2010 till:03/01/2011 color:violin
bar:Joon    from:03/01/2011 till:end        color:violin
bar:Sven    from:10/01/2003 till:06/01/2010 color:bass
bar:Matt    from:06/01/2010 till:03/01/2011 color:bass
bar:Tim     from:03/01/2011 till:06/01/2011 color:bass
bar:Tim     from:06/01/2011 till:end        color:guitar
bar:Steffen from:06/01/2011 till:06/01/2013 color:bass
bar:Thomas  from:04/24/2015 till:end        color:bass
bar:Thomas  from:04/24/2015 till:end        color:backing width:3
bar:Linda   from:10/01/2003 till:end        color:cello
bar:Linda   from:10/01/2003 till:end        color:backing width:3
bar:Martin  from:10/01/2003 till:06/01/2010 color:keys
bar:Daniel  from:10/01/2003 till:09/01/2008 color:drums
bar:Marcus  from:09/01/2008 till:end        color:drums
}}
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
*''[[Prisonworld]]'' (2005)
*''[[Autumntales]]'' (2006)
*''[[Paranoid Circus]]'' (2010)
*''[[Leverage (album)|Leverage]]'' (2012)
*''[[Skin and Bones (Lyriel album)|Skin and Bones]]'' (2014)
===Compilation===
*''The First Chapters'' (2009)
===EP===
*''10'' (2015)
===DVD===
*''Live auf Burg Greifenstein'' [Live on [[Greifenstein|Greifenstein Castle]]] (2005) contains video footage of events of the 3rd Celtic Rock Open Air festival.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://lyriel-band.de/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427080207/http://lyriel-band.de/ |date=2016-04-27 }}
*[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p994463|pure_url=yes}} Lyriel] at [[Allmusic]]
{{lyriel}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:German folk metal musical groups]]
[[Category:German symphonic metal musical groups]]
[[Category:German gothic metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2003]]
[[Category:Musical groups from North Rhine-Westphalia]]