REVIEW: LYRIEL – Paranoid Circus

 

LYRIEL – Paranoid Circus (2011)

AFM Records

Admittedly, female-fronted gothic metal has rarely been a genre that draws me in. Lyriel, however, proves to be the exception. What sets this German outfit apart from the crowded field is not simply the ethereal, ranging vocals of Jessica Thierjung — which recall a blend of Loreena McKennitt and Candice Night — but the way the band weaves genuine folk and Celtic instrumentation, courtesy of cello and violin, into their metal foundation, accented by symphonic flourishes. The result is dreamlike, almost narcotic, conjuring the sense of stepping into a fairy-tale world untouched by cynicism. Despite its title, "Paranoid Circus" plays out as something closer to thought-provoking and tranquil than unsettling.

For readers seeking a quicker reference point: picture a meeting point between Loreena McKennitt, Blackmore's Night, Nightwish and Falconer, and you'll have a fair idea of what awaits on this record.

Formed in 2003 in Gummersbach, Germany, Lyriel built their early reputation on the road, supporting acts such as Elis, Visions of Atlantis and Xandria — a connection reinforced by Thierjung's own guest appearance on Xandria's "India." "Paranoid Circus" is the band's third full-length, originally released in January 2010 through the UK-based Femme Metal Records before AFM Records picked it up for a 2011 reissue, complete with new artwork and two bonus tracks. The album carries a notable curiosity: German voice actor Simon Jäger — known for dubbing Heath Ledger and Matt Damon in German releases — appears as a guest, narrating an introduction and reading an excerpt from Hermann Hesse's short story "The Wolf." Critics at the time noted that while the record maintained the band's high musical standard, it favored atmosphere over the faster tempos of their earlier work — an observation that lines up with the dreamy, immersive quality that defines this listen.

Whatever prompted AFM Records to bring "Paranoid Circus" back into circulation, the reissue is a welcome one. This is a beautifully crafted record, and — traditional metal loyalist though I remain — I'd happily add it to my collection if the price is right. For devotees of this sound and of female-fronted metal in general, it is not one to overlook.

Nick Parastatidis