After six years of silence, XANDRIA are finally back on February 3, 2023, introducing their new lineup with the brand new studio album, “The Wonders Still Awaiting.” Now, the pioneers of German symphonic metal release the album’s title track, alongside a captivating official video. The new single combines the impressive vocal range of new singer Ambre Vourvahis and a real choir and orchestra with grandiose, bombastic orchestrations by Lukas Knöbl – known for his work with Hollywood greats like Roland Emmerich. On the new single, the band around mastermind and songwriter Marco Heubaum focus on their strengths and deliver a song perfect for the pre-holiday season.
XANDRIA on the new single:
“As one more foretaste of our upcoming album, ‘The Wonders Still Awaiting’ (out February 3rd, 2023), we proudly present you the title song of it. We think that together with the songs you’ve heard so far, it gives you a hint of what to expect and that it will be musically about a lot of powerful and magical atmosphere. But every song on this album will be its own little universe to explore, its own story and altogether it will be quite a journey of wonders and surprises… “
“The Wonders Still Awaiting” marks the first record presenting new vocalist Ambre Vourvahis, Robert Klawonn (guitars), Tim Schwarz (bass), and Dimitrios Gatsios (drums). Presenting 13 songs in total, XANDRIA‘s sound emerges harder, darker, and more epic than ever before, but holds an intimate setting and range of emotions at the same time. Rich in different styles and genres, the massive album resembles that of a blockbuster movie score at each and every turn – sending its listener on an exciting journey to experience a world of sound never heard before in the universe of XANDRIA. This is further brought to life by a 40-piece classical choir, authentic Celtic instruments performed by renowned musicians, and delicate violin and cello contributions from SUBWAY TO SALLY‘s Ally Storch. The new record is topped by the Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir, which marks the first collaboration of this kind in the band’s history, while none other than Lukas Knöbl is responsible for the orchestrations – known for working with Hollywood greats like Roland Emmerich, for example. Each song’s colossal soundscapes and cinematic nature create a story that rapidly unfolds in the listener’s imagination.
XANDRIA on “The Wonders Still Awaiting“:
”’The Wonders Still Awaiting’ is very diverse and includes many different influences. We had a lot of things – little musical dreams – in our minds and hearts that we wanted to realize, and along with what you already heard in the first two new songs this is just one of them. There will be quite some more surprises coming…”
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The impressive vocal wealth of Ambre Vourvahis – ranging from rock grit, operatic highs, and even death metal growls – opens the unit’s sound to a wider palette of colors. Songs like the opening epic “Two Worlds,” “The Wonders Still Awaiting,” and “Ghosts” manifest the thematic mood of the album while constructing incredible soundscapes of pure symphonic metal. “Two Worlds” also sets the record’s lyrical concept, dealing with questions of what kind of world we are living in; one in which people deal sensibly with each other and treat it respectfully, or a dystopia dominated by autocrats and controlling technology? “Paradise” showcases some of the album’s strongest hooks, captivating with great metallic pop melodies. The veil of various influences is lifted once more in “Illusion Is Their Name,” dashing all deception with heavy power metal vibes. Tracks like “Your Stories I’ll Remember” and “Scars” show the intimate side of XANDRIA on one hand, while combining rhythmic heaviness on the other. The latter is reminiscent of a James Bond theme, dressed in a heavy musical soundscape. The epic nine-minute album closer “Astéria”, featuring Greek lyrics written by Ambre Vourvahis, lands as the album’s exclamation point, proving with a grand finish that the five-piece has fearlessly started a revolution in the symphonic metal genre – commencing an impressive new era of XANDRIA with “The Wonders Still Awaiting.”
“The Wonders Still Awaiting” Track Listing:
1. Two Worlds
2. Reborn
3. You Will Never Be Our God (feat. Ralf Scheepers)
4. The Wonders Still Awaiting
5. Ghosts
6. Your Stories I’ll Remember
7. My Curse Is My Redemption
8. Illusion Is Their Name
9. Paradise
10. Mirror Of Time
11. Scars
12. The Maiden And The Child
13. Astèria
“The Wonders Still Awaiting” will be available in the following formats:
- 1CD Jewelcase
- 2CD Mediabook
- 2LP Gatefold BLUE/BLACK MARBLED
- Deluxe Box (incl. 2CD Mediabook, Heat-Change XANDRIA Mug, Flower Ball Box (2 pcs.) incl. 1€ donation to “Eden Reforestation Projects”, Album Cover Patch (⌀10cm), excl. Golden “Meet & Greet” Ticket (strictly ltd. to 10 pcs.), excl. Autograph Card, packed to a high-quality wooden box)
- Digital Album
XANDRIA live 2023:
The Wonders Still Awaiting Tour 2023
presented by: EMP, Metal.de, Musix, Rock It!, Sonic Seducer
02.02.23 DE – Essen / Turock
03.02.23 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
04.02.23 DE – München / Backstage
XANDRIA are:
Ambre Vourvahis – Vocals
Marco Heubaum – Guitar
Robert Klawonn – Guitar
Tim Schwarz – Bass
Dimitrios Gatsios – Drums
XANDRIA Online:
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FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
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