Released By: Napalm Records
Release Date: November 22nd, 2024
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Links: https://www.xandria.de/
Line Up
Ambre Vourvahis – Vocals
Marco Heubaum – Guitars
Robert Klawonn – Guitars
Tim Schwarz – Bass
Dimitrios Gatsios – Drums
Tracklist:
1. No Time to Live Forever
2. Universal
3. 200 Years
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)
9. Live the Tale (Orchestral Version)
Last year. German symphonic metal band Xandria released the excellent full length album, The Wonders Still Awaiting, which represented the start of a new era for the group, and now they’re back with an EP titled Universal Tales, featuring four new tracks and an acoustic re-recording of the aforementioned album’s title track, as well as orchestral versions of the new tracks. This is something I’ve been noticing more and more band’s doing in recent years, as well as something Xandria themselves did back in 2015 with Fire & Ice. Like that release, this is a nice EP, with some fun new material, mostly intended for dedicated fans of the band.
Following a major overhaul leading into The Wonders Still Awaiting, the band’s lineup remains stable for now, and not much has changed over the last almost 2 years. Fans of the previous few albums should know exactly what to expect here, as 3/4 new tracks are the kind of epic, cinematic symphonic metal the band has played since their resurgence in 2012, while the other track is a bit different, but still well within the band’s wheelhouse. This is the same kind of epic, keyboard driven symphonic metal fans would expect, with keys, vocals and symphonic arrangements leading the way, though band leader Marco Heubaum and Robert Klawonn are given a good amount of room to work with on guitar, as there is a quite a bit of melodic guitar work throughout the four new tracks, as well as somc heavy riffs and nice solos. While the main genre is symphonic metal, there’s unsurprisingly a fair bit of power metal as well, with the opening track in particular being very speedy and explosive.
Photo credit: Tim Tronckoe/ Nat Enemede (Editing)
Vocalist Ambre Vourvahis has fully settled into her role, and sounds fantastic, utilizing her range effectively and shining throughout the release, especially on choruses. She still mostly uses clean vocals, and she has a light voice, which can give the music a slight pop feel at times, but she does use some operatic vocals as well, and there’s also tons of choir vocals, which sound epic and fantastic, as expected. Production is excellent, with everything sounding crisp, clear and powerful. Obviously, vocals and symphonic arrangements are given top priority, but guitars and drums also sound great throughout, and nothing ever feels lost in the mix. Lyrics are largely centered on freedom from religious abuse, though one track is based on the TV/book series Outlander.
Opening track “No Time to Live Forever” is the speediest, most explosive track on the EP, and it definitely falls into symphonic power metal territory. It opens up with a brief tease at the chorus, before guitars fully kick in and the track speeds up, moving at a rapid pace, with driving guitars and explosive drums, leading into an opening verse which slows things down a bit, but is still fairly upbeat, and features more crunchy guitar work, along with light vocals and epic symphonic arrangements. The symphonic arrangements fully kick in for the chorus, which is very epic and cinematic, with Vourvahis going all out with her operatic vocals, and choral vocals are also used effectively. There’s a brief vocal section, led by keys, where things slow down and that leads into a nice choral section, and after that is an epic guitar solo, with a very classic power metal feel to it. Overall, it’s an excellent track, and one of my favorites here.
Next is “Universal”, a very typical sounding track, showing off the band’s cinematic symphonic metal sound in full force. It opens up briefly with some light keys, before choirs kick in for a while, and then it slows down for a bit. The opening verse starts off with just keys and vocals, but it picks up as it goes along, with light guitar work, drums and symphonic arrangements added in, and by the time the chorus kicks in, the track is moving at a fairly upbeat tempo, without entering power metal territory. It’s a very catchy chorus, with sweeping orchestral arrangements, and light, accessible vocals, with a ton of conviction in the performance. It’s a very emotionally charged track from a lyrical viewpoint, and Vourvahis is in absolute top form with her performance. There’s no solo section, but instead there’s a bridge, with some epic choir vocals, leading into a brief soft section before the final run through the chorus, which is epic as expected. In similar territory is the last new track, “Live the Tale”, a very catchy, somewhat pop infused track, which has a strong Nightwish feel to it, especially the chorus and how the symphonic elements sound. It has some nice melodic lead guitar work throughout, which is the highlight of the track. The verses are fairly light and move at a moderate tempo, while the chorus is more upbeat, very melodic, fun and catchy, with a strong pop feel to it, and there’s a nice extended guitar solo towards the end, which gets more technically impressive as it goes on. The final run through the chorus is epic, with a big key change and some fantastic vocals.
My favorite track on the EP is Outlander themed“200 Years”, coming in between the previous two tracks I mentioned. It’s the band’s most folk infused track with the current lineup, thanks in large part to guest violinist Ally Storch, who does a fantastic job throughout. It moves at a fairly moderate pace, with the violin leading the way throughout, along with some heavy guitars in the background, which have a bit of a playful feel. The verses are fun, while the chorus is more epic, and features some excellent melodies, as well as some fantastic vocals. The solo section is excellent, and allows Storch to fully showcase her talents, with some fantastic folk melodies. Overall, it’s a very fun track, and it’s definitely the most unique sounding track on the EP.
Closing out the EP is a nice acoustic re-recording of “The Wonders Still Awaiting”, which slows the track down and allows Vourvahis to fully shine with a softer vocal approach, which suits her voice perfectly. It’s a very beautiful, laidback version of the track, which maintains the cinematic feel of the original, while slowing things down and removing all metal elements. Each new track also has an orchestral version, and those are all solid and well done, but not really my thing. As expected, “200 Years” shines the most out of the bunch, but I obviously still prefer the meal version of it. Fans who appreciate instrumental orchestral versions of tracks should enjoy these a lot, while others such as myself may not get much out of them.
Universal Tales is a very solid EP, offering Xandria fans four new tracks, each of which is excellent on its own, and the new material all fits together nicely. There aren’t any real surprises here, though the folk infused “200 Years” does stand out from the pack, and everything here is very well done. The re-recorded title track from the previous album is also excellent, while the orchestral tracks are likely only going to appeal to more hardcore fans, but are also well done. Overall, this a very solid release, and offers a good amount of enjoyable new material to please fans of the band, while waiting for their next full album.
Ratings: 8/10
Written by: Travis Green
My Global Mind – Staff Writer
Travis Green is a Canadian based writer for My Global Mind, with a particular passion for power metal, as well as an interest metal in all its forms.
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