It is inconceivable to think that just a few years ago Xandria was on the edge of full collapse. With Vocalist Dianne van Giersbergen leaving the band in 2017 after two records, within a couple of years, Bassist Steven Wussow was also gone. Leaving on Founding Guitarist/Keyboardist Marco Heubaum, he plotted out the band’s return, recruiting Ambre Vourvahis as their new vocalist, while Bassist Tim Schwarz, Drummer Dimitrios Gatsios, and Guitarist Rob Klawonn joined the fold full-time. Together they reshaped the image and sound of Xandria in an exceptionally exciting way that came to fruition in 2023’s full-length album The Wonders Still Awaiting.
A comeback that found Xandria breaking away from straight-ahead Symphonic Metal while still retaining signature aspects of their past. Twenty-one months later Xandria has wasted no time, returning with the new EP Universal Tales. Set for release on November 22, 2024 through Napalm Records, the set follows a similar format to Delain’s Dance with the Devil EP which features new songs, but also a bunch of bonus content that really feels more like an album.
Explaining this, Universal Tales includes four new songs (“No Time To Live Forever,” “Universal,” “200 Years,” and “Live The Tale”), an acoustic film score version of “The Wonders Still Awaiting,” plus orchestral editions of each new track. Giving you a total of nine songs to unwrap, the draw of course is the new releases, and each is pretty high energy.
Starting with “No Time To Live Forever,” Xandria hits you with a stroke of epic energy that carries into the emotional “Universal,” fantastical “200 Years” (with Subway To Sally Violinist Ally Storch) before the very engaging mixture of Modern Symphonic Metal offered with “Live The Tale.” These songs all seem to feed off one another without repeating themselves and showing that Xandria is completely re-inspired.
A great compliment to The Wonders Still Awaiting, it feels like it was a perfect way to keep the momentum going as the band solidifies their new lineup. Furthermore, the bonus orchestral arrangements of the prior album’s tracks are lovely listening experiences that show you a different side of them. All in all, Xandria seems to be primed to continue well into the future, and Cryptic Rock gives Universal Tales 4 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment