XANDRIA define the essence of modern symphonic metal and return with refreshing intensity on Universal Tales

XANDRIA define the essence of modern symphonic metal and return with refreshing intensity on Universal Tales

13th November 2024 0 By Jon Deaux

XANDRIA surprised absolutely everyone last year! After a long hiatus, German symphonic metal icons came back with not only a new lineup featuring the fantastic Ambre Vourvahis, who impresses audiences with her talent ranging from rock grit, operatic highs, and even growls, but they also came back with their strongest album ever, The Wonders Still Awaiting (#9 on the Official German Album Charts). On the fresh-sounding masterpiece, XANDRIA reinvented itself by taking their trademarks to a whole new level and setting the bar for modern symphonic metal today. With the epic upcoming nine-track EP, Universal Tales, out on November 22, 2024 via Napalm Records, the unit presents four brand new majestic songs, underlining the band’s newly defined versatility and impressive intensity.

Each of the songs highlights a different facet of XANDRIA’s musical range, alongside a new recording and beautifully re-arranged version of the title track from their recent album, The Wonders Still Awaiting. From bombastic film score atmospheres, and choir-and-orchestra-driven anthems to real Celtic atmospheres and instruments like fiddle and whistles, the songs blend both classic and modern metal influences. Universal Tales offers a wealth of discoveries, while singer Ambre Vourhavis explores new heights and depths in her voice, making her even stronger than on the last album.

The former standalone single “Universal”, alongside an official music video is a statement in support of a free, open, and diverse society, standing against authoritarianism and religious fundamentalism. It is dedicated to Jina Mahsa Amini and all those fighting for freedom. “No Time to Live Forever” is about the apparent loss of reason in the world, and the rise of tribalism, fired by religious fundamentalism that seems to fight a last battle against enlightenment and the achievements of civilization. “Live the Tale” follows that theme, showcasing that despite dark clouds, humankind could head in a positive direction as there is so much yet undiscovered and so much potential in mankind to live the tale of its imagination.

On “200 Years”, XANDRIA fully embraces their Celtic roots like never before and explores the realms of the well-known book and TV series “Outlander”. Accented by renowned violinist Ally Storch (Subway To Sally), mesmerizing violin merges with resolute drums and with the blockbuster-like atmosphere, immediately transports fans to distant realms, fighting for a free and fair world.

The Universal Tales EP concludes with orchestral versions of the four new tracks and will be released just before the band embarks on worldwide tours with genre peers Sirenia and Delain in the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. While Marco Heubaum once again oversaw the recordings as the producer, Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Arch Enemy, Evergrey) handled the mixing and mastering.

Tracklist:
1. No Time To Live Forever
2. Universal
3. 200 Years (feat. Ally Storch)
4. Live The Tale
5. The Wonders Still Awaiting (Acoustic Film Score Version)
6. No Time To Live Forever (Orchestral Version)
7. Universal (Orchestral Version)
8. 200 Years (Orchestral Version / feat. Ally Storch)
9. Live The Tale (Orchestral Version)

XANDRIA live 2024:
Double Headliner Tour w/ Sirenia
19.11.24 PL – Warsaw / Hydrozagadka
20.11.24 CZ – Prague / Storm
21.11.24 AT – Vienna / Viper Room
23.11.24 IT – Milan / Legend Club
24.11.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7
25.11.24 DE – Berlin / Cassiopeia
26.11.24 DE – Munich / Backstage Club
27.11.24 DE – Essen / Turock
28.11.24 BE – Kortrijk / DVG Club
29.11.24 DE – Hamburg / Headcrash
30.11.24 NL – Uden / De Pul

Supporting Delain on their Noth American Tour 2025
03/07/25: Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile
03/08/25: Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky a Go Go
03/09/25: Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
03/10/25: Portland, OR @ The Bossanova Ballroom
03/11/25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
03/13/25: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
03/14/25: Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater
03/15/25: Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
03/16/25: Joliet, IL @ The Forge
03/17/25: Detroit, MI @ The Token Lounge
03/19/25: Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
03/20/25: Toronto, ON @ Axis
03/21/25: Montreal, QC @ Fairmount Theatre
03/22/25: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
03/23/25: New York,  NY @ The Gramercy Theatre
03/24/25: Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
03/26/25: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
03/28/25: Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
03/29/25: Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live

XANDRIA are:

Ambre Vourvahis – Vocals
Marco Heubaum – Guitar
Robert Klawonn – Guitar
Tim Schwarz – Bass
Dimitrios Gatsios – Drums


XANDRIA online:

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Napalm Records

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