Remember, in April 2008, we learned that Lisa Middelhauve left Xandria. News that had moved fans but didn’t messed up the symphonic metal scene, Xandria being little regarded by the public. After four albums that had not convinced many people, although with the latter,“Salome The Seventh Veil”, critics had appreciated the efforts of the Germans diversity, both for her voice and music, Lisa’s departure did not seem to hinder more than that the future of the group. However, ten months later, a new singer was announced: Kerstin Bischof (who had participated in several albums with the group Axxis), they then toured with her, and again, she left the group a year after her introduction. We must admit that it was starting to feel the scorched for Xandria. Far from admitting defeat, the group seeks a new singer and find her in the person of Manuela Kraller, who was one of Haggard’s singers. The line-up did some concerts and focuses mainly on the recording of the album which was written at the time when Kerstin was still in the ranks. And it’s with relief that fans learned the released of that fifth album in late February, almost five years after its predecessor. In five years, what has happened, if not the successive changes of singers? We’ll find listening to this “Neverworld’s End”, the highly sought cover, worked and marks an evolution already pouches simplistic compared to the group that had hitherto.

Line-up:

• Manuela Kraller - Vocals
• Marco Heubaum - Guitars, Keyboards
• Philip Restemeier - Guitars
• Nils Middelhauve - Bass
• Gerit Lamm - Drums

Tracklist:

1. A Prophecy Of Worlds To Fall
2. Valentine
3. Forevermore
4. Euphoria
5. Blood Of My Hands
6. Soulcrusher
7. The Dream Is Still Alive
8. The Lost Elysion
9. Call Of The Wind
10. A Thousand Letters
11. Cursed
12. The Nomad’s Crown

This new album starts with “A Prophecy Of Worlds To Fall” with an intro of fifty seconds of grandiose choruses before the guitars come. Then you hold your breath, how will be the newcomer? A clear voice, posed, just, that recall many the tone of Tarja Turunen, a rise in power on a very catchy chorus that sticks in your head from the first listen. Relief is here, Xandria has found a singer that goes beyond all expectations. But the change is not as vocal. It is also musical. The fans were accustomed to hearing the same sounds; the same chords from one album to another (remember how"Ravenheart“ sounded like a lot of songs of ”India“ or ”Save My Life“ from“Salome”). Here the guitars have gained importance, orchestrations also making a little more pompous. This title exceeding seven minutes also showed that Xandria is capable of long pieces that capture the attention and hold it.

Like any good symphonic metal band with singer Xandria could not refrain from give us two ballads: ”The Dream Is Still Alive“ and ”A Thousand Letters“. The first has no very big musical qualities despite the presence of strings, but allows more time to realize the quality of her voice. The ‘ballads’ hater’ will move on without losing the best of the album. The second, very Celtic, as the end of the album, finally follows the same path, not transcendent, but quite acceptable, especially as the group hasn’t focused on only two ballads while they were found more often in the past.

Though ”Valentine“ (single chosen by the group and their new label,Napalm Records), can recall what was Xandria in the past and remains very simplistic in its structure (with the change of tone at the end of the song, for example, an effect very popular among Germans), the effect Manuela makes us forget those few “laxity” in the composition. Several songs are pleasant to listen to, well conducted but without marking our mind. Forevermore remind the old version a lotNightwish. This may be the biggest complaint which will be done to the album, but don’t we seek for years who will pick up the torch? The group seems found in the person of Xandria which surprises us. The new surprise will come from ”Blood On My Hands“, a bit more heavy on the bridge than usual which begins with a little and quiet keyboard and the power of the voice of Manuela. Finally a single structure with, as often, a verse musically quieter on the chorus, then a game between the chorus and the lead vocal of the girl, then a chorus that could well become an anthem for the live and ends on a vocal prowess that will not leave anyone indifferent. ”Call Of The Wind“ is also a piece cut out for the stage and everybody will dance with his Celtic side and its catchy chorus full of energy, but it looks like nothing so much as a passage from The Wild Bunch to Ennio Morricone.

And then the slaps come with ”Soulcrusher“ a piece much darker, heavier with a variation in the singing of Manuela which is more aggressive and darker too, marrying with wonders the riffs of the song. A must-have title, which shows us that Xandria has grown and matured over these many years. A guitar solo, a battery backed, orchestrations that do not take priority over all, a place for the music on the end which is breathtaking. Leaving us all speechless. One of the highlights of the album. And greats moments, there are some others, such as ”The Lost Elysion“. Again, power, aggressiveness guitars and fast rhythmic, a chorus less conventional than we have been accustomed to hear before. Another highlight? ”The Nomad’s Crown“, the last track on the album, but also the longest. Very oriental, very inspired, without lengths as was feared, a security controlled from beginning to end which brings together a last time the right ingredients to the album: the voice and its modulations, the metal part supported and symphonic one takes its full dimension, all enhanced by a flawless production.

In conclusion, Xandria have found their voice. A singer which allows Marco Heubaum to compose what he really wants, a dynamic that could not be with Lisa Middelhauve. At a time when Nightwish divides again and again for their choices and where Epica slowly loses its letters of nobility, Xandria hoisted sail and seems ready to outrun many of their comrades becoming the reference group of symphonic metal lyrical voice that they could not be so far.“Neverworld’s End”, the breakthrough album, the album of maturity and without a doubt, the album of success for Xandria! A must have for fans of the genre and of the group.Wishing them to continue like that a long time!

Highlights: Soulcrusher, The Lost Elysion, The Nomad’s Crown