heavy-metal-darkness: Lothlöryen | …Of Bards And Madmen

Friday, October 24, 2025

Lothlöryen | …Of Bards And Madmen | Self-Release (Reimagined)

Release Date: September 12, 2025

Format: Digital, CD, LP

Genre: Power Metal, Folk Metal

Country: Brazil

Formed in 2002, Lothlöryen has long stood as one of Brazil’s most respected names in the power and folk metal circles. Known for blending high fantasy storytelling with melodic precision and theatrical spirit, the band carved its identity through albums such as “Raving Souls Society” and “Principles Of A Past Tomorrow.” Their early works quickly earned cult recognition across South America and Europe, praised for their adventurous fusion of traditional heavy metal and folk elements. After several years of silence, Lothlöryen returns to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut with “...Of Bards And Madmen (Reimagined),” a revisiting of their 2005 release that marked their first breakthrough into the wider metal scene.

This new version is not a nostalgic replay but a full reworking of the material, updated with the band’s experience gathered through decades on the road and in the studio. The production is crisp and vivid, giving the songs the sound they always seemed to deserve back in 2005. There’s a sense of grandeur and balance between the electric and the orchestral, with the guitars and orchestrations moving together in a colorful harmony. Daniel Felipe’s vocals lead with storytelling strength, switching between melodic phrasing and a theatrical tone that fits perfectly with the band’s folk-inspired narrative.

The presence of orchestrations by Lucas Bello and the precise rhythm section of Leo Ghigiarelli add weight and texture to the songs. The band still delivers that typical Lothlöryen energy, part tavern chant, part epic metal charge. Songs like “Moriality” and “There And Back Again” sound both heroic and playful, combining galloping riffs, symphonic layers, and a sense of journey that recalls early Blind Guardian and Elvenking without imitation.

The production by Leko Soares and Ghigiarelli gives every instrument a fair place, capturing the band’s essence in a clear and organic way. The orchestrations are warm, the guitars are powerful, and the overall sound connects the fantasy spirit of power metal with the earthy liveliness of folk. The reimagined version of “Namärie” closes things with elegance, summarizing what Lothlöryen have always done best, turn fantasy tales into passionate heavy metal songs.

After ten years without a new album, this release is a reminder of how Lothlöryen helped define a uniquely Brazilian version of power and folk metal. Their return is not just a tribute to their own past but a statement that the band’s creative spark remains alive, shaped by time and maturity. “...Of Bards And Madmen (Reimagined)” reaffirms Lothlöryen’s place as one of the country’s most imaginative and enduring acts.

Score: 7.5