Xandria return with a new line-up for their latest album The Wonders Still Awaiting.
Opener “Two Worlds” doesn’t take long to lay the foundation for this new chapter, and immediately vocalist Ambre Vourvahis gets my attention. Not only because I think she really sounds like Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel, but among the harmonies are some great growls thrown in for good measure.
Given the changes in the line-up the aptly named “Reborn” was the first single released and continues with the strong charge into the band asserting their place back into the symphonic metal world with atmosphere and solos aplenty. This is followed by “You Will Never Be Our God” which features the power metal powerhouse Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear. It weaves wonderfully into the title track, the majestic “The Wonders Still Awaiting”.
There are full on theatrics for “Ghosts” which really highlights the use of the 40-piece classical choir that the band worked with alongside the Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir. This marks the first collaboration of its kind in the band’s history. This is followed by the heart wrenching ballad “Your Stories I’ll Remember” with sweeping solos and violin elements. Usually I like my songs fast and furious but there is just something about this I can’t shake, so it’s my highlight track of the album.
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The start to “My Curse Is My Redemption” starts very much like the previous track, but then shifts into an upbeat gear, and by the end of the track I was singing along. I think this will be a future live highlight! How much do I like it? Well, it would be absolutely perfect for Eurovision. After this the heaviest track overall, “Illusion Is Their Name”, fires through the speakers to evaporate all feelings of soppiness.
The album then takes a serious turn with questions of social inequality and the striving for a just world. “Paradise” convinces with great dynamic, haunting melodies and impresses with its strong chorus, and is followed up with the anthemic “Mirror Of Time”.
The album concludes with the trio “Scars”, “The Maiden And The Child” (which once again perfectly demonstrate how the band can switch from sensitive to savage so well, both flooded with operatic atmosphere) and the nine minute “Astéria”. This final number stands out with Greek lyrics written by Ambre Vourvahis and is the crowning glory to their return.
Another example of symphonic superiority.
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The Wonders Still Awaiting is out on February 3rd
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