When I opened the press release for Lyriel’s Skin and Bones album I was initially turned off by the words “Gothic Metal”. Not being a particular fan of this category, only dabbling in a little bit here and there by accident, might have been some of the reasons that I had never heard of Lyriel. The female fronted band hail from Germany and Skin and Bones, available November 4, 2014, is their fifth effort.
LYRIEL – Skin and Bones (Album Review)

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The title track, “Skin and Bones”, up next, powers things in the same tempo changing vein along to “Black and White”. The slower paced “Black and White” sees vocalist Jessica in a duet with the gravelly tones of Christian Alvestam (ex-Scar Symmetry, Solution .45). Which is another refreshing change to keep your interest in the record. “Days Had Just Begun” starts off as a tender slow ballad before the band kicks in for the chorus. Without going into each of the thirteen tracks on Skin and Bones, some of the highlights for the rest of the album are the foreign language “Der Weg” and the upbeat numbers “Worth the Fight” and “Running In Our Blood”.
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The only track that I can definitely do without is the abysmal ballad “Astray”. But remember I’m far from an enjoyer of the slower fare.
LYRIEL – Skin and Bones (Final Thoughts)
This release could certainly do with some fantastic cover art. An upgrade to the nondescript boringness that the band has chosen to adorn the record. Despite that, there is definitely a unique sound to this band and album, something different and quite refreshing actually. Check out the official video for the lead track, “Numbers”.
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PHOTO CREDIT: AFM RECORDS PRESS KIT 2014
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The Meister
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmAwV41NufE[/embedyt]