Lyria – Immersion
Album Review by Rainer Kerber
Lyria is a symphonic metal band from Brazil. The band was founded by mezzo soprano Aline Happ back in 2012. Two years later, the debut album “Catharsis” was released. With a successful crowdfunding campaign, the band was able to finance production four years ago. In my review, I wrote, among others:
“Especially the latter (Lyria, the author) are ready to conquer the hearts of metal fans around the world with their debut “Catharsis”.”
Over the next four years, the sympathetic frontwoman has developed a large fan base, primarily through her presence in social media. More than 61,000 likes on the band’s Facebook page underscore that. What’s missing now are concerts outside their home country. The musicians try to compensate for this with internet concerts from their studio. Maybe that will change now after the second edition “Immersion” has been released. This album was also successfully funded via crowdfunding (over $ 13,000). Those are really the best conditions for an international success. Listen to the new album, if it can fulfill the expectations of the fans.
Already at the opener “Follow the Music” you can see the musical development of the band. The songs are melodic and harmonious, singer Aline sings in lower pitches. This makes the vocals sound much more pleasant than on “Catharsis”. Much importance was placed on good arrangements, the filigree guitar solos are built into the song. The guitar riffs underscore Aline’s voice powerfully without pushing them into the background. To be heard among others on “Get What You Want”. Bassist Thiago Zig contributes to the growls. Partly Lyria also work with vocal alienations (“Let Me Be Me”, “Give You Just a Minute”). That then provides for an industrial touch. Also, the front woman plays more with her vocal abilities. The best example of this is probably the song “Hard to Believe”, to which the band has also produced a video. For me, this is the best song on the album, a worthy successor to “Jester”. The instrumentation of “Best of Me” contains folk quotes. This song is another highlight. The longest song of the album “Last Forever” is a beautiful power ballad.
Lyria have grown up. The musicians have improved significantly in composition and arrangements. And Nightingale Aline Happ has really worked on her vocal abilities in recent years. The songs bang clear and powerful from the speakers. With “Immersion” the Brazilians have recorded an excellent album. With the new material up their sleves, it should be possible to conquer the European market. Maybe it’s also possible to go on tour as support for a seasoned Melodic Metal band. Or to perform at some of the numerous festivals. I would wish it to the musicians wholeheartedly.
Lyria – Hard to Believe (Official Music Video): https://youtu.be/3VJFEUFODR4
Lineup:
Aline Happ – Mezzo Soprano
Thiago Zig – Bass
Rod Wolf – Guitar
Thiago Mateu – Drums
Label: Self distributed
Out: April 11th 2018
Duration: 44:02
Track list:
- Follow the Music
- Get What You Want
- Let Me Be Me
- The Rain
- Give You Just a Minute
- Best of Me
- Last Forever
- Hard to Believe
- Something Is Rotten
- Ashes of My Fears
- Run to You
Rating : 8/10
MHF Magazine/Rainer Kerber
