Band name: Xandria
Title: India
Genre: Epic gothmetal
Release Date: 2005-08-22
Record Company / Label: Drakkar Records / SonyBMG
Introduction
With their debut ‘Kill the Sun’ (2003) the German band Xandria entered in the spotlights. With ‘Ravenheart’ (2004) they succeeded to get more and more fans even outside Europe. Now the new record is out and again the lady and guys show that they have a lot of variety in their music. Although the name ‘India’ seems to be a title of a concept album, it isn’t. Again there is a life journey with a lot of creative ideas from gothrock till Irish folk music: it is all there.
Line-up
Lisa Middelhauve – vocals / piano
Marco Heubaum – guitars
Nils Middelhauve – bass guitar
Philip Restemeier – guitar
Gerit – drums
Marco Heubaum – guitars
Nils Middelhauve – bass guitar
Philip Restemeier – guitar
Gerit – drums
Website
Song review
01. India – 5:17
Some classical arrangements, a dramatic feeling, a bombastic choir an Arabian influences. It seems to be a lot to have it all in one song, but it isn’t. It is a strong base for the powerful voice of Lisa. Dynamic, not too high and with a lot of emotions. There is a contrast between the heavy guitars and the sweet arrangements. A good start of this record. There is a lot of variety and that seems to be the keyword for this band.
Some classical arrangements, a dramatic feeling, a bombastic choir an Arabian influences. It seems to be a lot to have it all in one song, but it isn’t. It is a strong base for the powerful voice of Lisa. Dynamic, not too high and with a lot of emotions. There is a contrast between the heavy guitars and the sweet arrangements. A good start of this record. There is a lot of variety and that seems to be the keyword for this band.
02. Now & Forever – 3:20
A catchy intro, mixed with some melodic vocals: more back to basic. Here shows Lisa that she also has a totally other side. Modest, floating away. Still there is the strong base of the guitars and arrangements of the chancel. The melody lines are more rock orientated then really metal, but it fits all very well together.
A catchy intro, mixed with some melodic vocals: more back to basic. Here shows Lisa that she also has a totally other side. Modest, floating away. Still there is the strong base of the guitars and arrangements of the chancel. The melody lines are more rock orientated then really metal, but it fits all very well together.
03. In Love With The Darkness – 3:49
On this record the German Movie Orchestra Berlin (Schindler’s List, Rammstein) is playing some parts. That is good to hear in the intro. It is much more then a ballad. I reminds me of Nemesea (Dutch gothmetal band), but it is more catchy. Many arrangements are mixed, what keeps it more interesting. The voice of Lisa is higher here and it is clear, but not so dynamic. It is not a fragile ballade, due to the strong melody lines in the song.
On this record the German Movie Orchestra Berlin (Schindler’s List, Rammstein) is playing some parts. That is good to hear in the intro. It is much more then a ballad. I reminds me of Nemesea (Dutch gothmetal band), but it is more catchy. Many arrangements are mixed, what keeps it more interesting. The voice of Lisa is higher here and it is clear, but not so dynamic. It is not a fragile ballade, due to the strong melody lines in the song.
04. Fight Me – 3:37
A heavy song with the bombast of bands like Within Temptation. A melodic Asian voice, carried by the arrangements and the backing vocals. Lisa shows her real voice and the sound is more deep, dynamic and very strong.
A heavy song with the bombast of bands like Within Temptation. A melodic Asian voice, carried by the arrangements and the backing vocals. Lisa shows her real voice and the sound is more deep, dynamic and very strong.
05. Black & Silver – 3:56
A progressive guitar sound, a catchy beat and again those Asian influences. It has a catchy sound, very suitable for a video. Also the voice of Lisa is again very strong. The lyrics are easily to follow, so it stays long in your head.
A progressive guitar sound, a catchy beat and again those Asian influences. It has a catchy sound, very suitable for a video. Also the voice of Lisa is again very strong. The lyrics are easily to follow, so it stays long in your head.
06. Like a Rose on the Grave of Love
Irish arrangements, an ode to the traditional Irish folk music. Very melodic flutes, violins and some light guitar parts. Above all there is the voice of Lisa: light, dreamy and it flows away over the green hills. It is a peaceful moment, and Lisa dares to do something fragile with her voice. She shows here that she really can translate the emotions.
Irish arrangements, an ode to the traditional Irish folk music. Very melodic flutes, violins and some light guitar parts. Above all there is the voice of Lisa: light, dreamy and it flows away over the green hills. It is a peaceful moment, and Lisa dares to do something fragile with her voice. She shows here that she really can translate the emotions.
07. Widescreen – 4:15
This song has a very heavy and unexpected intro with some raw guitars. It is sure that the listener is awake again. Still there are those oriental elements in the song mixed with a catchy beat. Lisa’s voice is lower like in the beginning. A very self secure song with a dynamic feeling in the end. Especially the guitar solo brings it to a higher level.
This song has a very heavy and unexpected intro with some raw guitars. It is sure that the listener is awake again. Still there are those oriental elements in the song mixed with a catchy beat. Lisa’s voice is lower like in the beginning. A very self secure song with a dynamic feeling in the end. Especially the guitar solo brings it to a higher level.
08. The End of Every Story – 4:54
In this song returns the Irish influences. A mix with guitars and classical arrangements. There is a contrast between the melodic voice of Lisa and the unexpectedly heavy parts. It seems to be a sad story, but then suddenly the song grows (the orchestra on the background) and gets more and more bombastic. Sometimes those can get boring, but this time it is still surprising in the end.
In this song returns the Irish influences. A mix with guitars and classical arrangements. There is a contrast between the melodic voice of Lisa and the unexpectedly heavy parts. It seems to be a sad story, but then suddenly the song grows (the orchestra on the background) and gets more and more bombastic. Sometimes those can get boring, but this time it is still surprising in the end.
09. Who We Are (And Who We Want To Be) – 4:17
A catchy song and totally different from the others. A sweet ballad without clichés.
The band explains about the title ‘India’:
”Writing the songs, we noticed that many of the words describe points on this journey, on this quest. Be it disappointments, love, struggles, decisions we have to take. And thus it was logical to frame the songs by both title tracks "India" and "Return to India", because by doing this we take a musical trip through them as well.” (source:www.xandria.de)
A catchy song and totally different from the others. A sweet ballad without clichés.
The band explains about the title ‘India’:
”Writing the songs, we noticed that many of the words describe points on this journey, on this quest. Be it disappointments, love, struggles, decisions we have to take. And thus it was logical to frame the songs by both title tracks "India" and "Return to India", because by doing this we take a musical trip through them as well.” (source:www.xandria.de)
10. Dancer – 3:50
A surprising song in the end. Almost a totally new sound that Xandria shows here. Again the intro is the classical violins. Lisa accompanies herself on piano. A bit melancholic sound and with a dreamy atmosphere.
A surprising song in the end. Almost a totally new sound that Xandria shows here. Again the intro is the classical violins. Lisa accompanies herself on piano. A bit melancholic sound and with a dreamy atmosphere.
11. Winterhearted – 4:18
A heavy metal song who brings the power back. Then it goes down and Lisa sets in. Again it reminds me of Nemesea, but not in a bad way. Lisa has talent, but sometimes it can be a bit heavier. When the refrain sets in then the power is back and I feel the energy coming back.
A heavy metal song who brings the power back. Then it goes down and Lisa sets in. Again it reminds me of Nemesea, but not in a bad way. Lisa has talent, but sometimes it can be a bit heavier. When the refrain sets in then the power is back and I feel the energy coming back.
12. Return to India – 4:18
The circle is closed with this song: all the elements come back, full force and with a lot of energy Xandra shows everything they got. And it is a bombastic and impressive end. Even the end will surprise the listener and makes him think about this ‘India.’
The circle is closed with this song: all the elements come back, full force and with a lot of energy Xandra shows everything they got. And it is a bombastic and impressive end. Even the end will surprise the listener and makes him think about this ‘India.’
Cover picture
Technical Summary
Total playing time: 52:02
Total songs: 12
Bonus: -
Total songs: 12
Bonus: -
Conclusion
This is a really a record where the listener can discover a lot of things. Not only will the voice of Lisa surprise you, but also the arrangements and the creativity of the members. There is a lot to discover and Xandria create a sound what is fresh, even in the gothmetal scene. Although they have some elements like Epica and Within Temptation could do too, is it original. Above all it is a record what doesn’t get boring after a while. This band has a long future when it goes on like this.
Rating
Music 8
Sound 7
Extra’s -
Total 8 (7,5)
Sound 7
Extra’s -
Total 8 (7,5)
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