Xandria – “The Wonders Still Awaiting” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Well, the time has come, to finally open this demo and listen to the entire Xandria, The Wonders Still Awaiting, album. The album will be released February 3, 2023 on Napalm Records. But I heard about this album almost a year ago, and have been anticipating its release, since then. The plethora of videos they have released, since announcing the new album was being produced, only heightened my interest. Now it is finally here, and I will be receiving the CD in early February.

Wow! Xandria is not the Xandria I first heard in 2012, with Neverworld’s End. Which is arguably one of the best albums of the modern symphonic metal genre. But, at the same time, they seem to be re-stabilized again. Manuela Kraller gave them the best female vocal I had heard at that time…way back in 2012.

But now they are, as one of the songs on the album states, “Reborn”. With Ambre Vourvahis’ angelic vocals, they may have re-captured some of that power and presence again. They have been through a lot of turmoil and band member changes since 2012; but the sounds and music of The Wonders Still Awaiting, does live up to the optimism of the album title.

The band includes members: Marco Heubaum, on rhythm guitar, keyboards, and harsh vocals; Ambre Vourvahis, on angelic vocals; Robert Klawonn, on lead guitar; Tim Schwarz, on bass; and Dimitrios Gatsios, on drums. The power and majesty of the band has rarely ebbed, but with Ambre leading the vocal charge, I do believe they are a formidable force, for the future.

The band added the 40-piece Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir, authentic Celtic instruments, represented by renowned musicians, as well as delicate violin and cello contributions from Subway to Sally’s, Ally Storch. Lukas Knöbl was responsible for the orchestration parts in The Wonders Still Awaiting. Knöbl is known for working with Hollywood greats like Roland Emmerich. And yes, each track has an almost cinematic sound, beyond the normal metal symphonic power you hear from other bands in the genre.

The “Reborn”, video was our first introduction to the album, and it is a stellar song to be chosen, the album’s first single. They followed that release with the multifaceted, hard-hitting “You Will Never Be Our God”, (featuring Primal Fear front-man Ralf Scheepers). Later they released the “Ghosts” music video, and most recently the title track video “The Wonders Still Awaiting”. As of the writing of this review, the band has announced the release of a fifth music video of the song, “Two Worlds”, on January 31, 2023. Can’t wait for that!

That means that five of the thirteen tracks will have music videos supporting them on YouTube and other social media platforms; helping to drive this album to the top of the charts, and the social media views statistics. I believe there will be even more videos in the future. This album is both cinematic and well – suited for visual presentation.

The album opens with the most powerful statement and direction of the album, “Two Worlds”. An over 7-minute epic that asks, “What kind of world we are living in; one in which people deal sensibly with each other; treating it respectfully; or a dystopia, dominated by autocrats and controlling technology?” What a great way to open this epic journey! The massive choir, and Ambre’s angelic vocals are a perfect dichotomy from the raging vocals offered by Marco. The pair of vocals bounce off each other well, symbolizing the dichotomy of the modern state of the world. A thoroughly visual and powerful song which will be wonderful to view on video. The piano at the opening, the roar of the choir, guitars, drums, and all the instrumental work, are spot on. Taking me back to Neverworld’s End, as if it never ended, or maybe this is the sequel, I had always hoped for? Ambre sings, “In one world we dream. Only in one we live. On this journey of wonders. Forever we´ll live in one. One of two. Once we found a spark in us. Enough to let us survive. Rise up and illuminate. Gave way to journeys. A bright future´s history. Jules Verne and Tomorrowland. Sweet dreams shine so silvery. In our newfound glory. How can all these dreams prevail. It´s such a fragile hope. Cause a spark can give such light, but also burn it all. And forever on this journey”. Definitely off to an epic beginning to this journey!

Ambre’s vocals rise to epic levels on “Reborn”. This song which, with the help of a rising choir, captures the re-birth of this symphonic metal band, that once lead the genre. That choir was well worth the price paid. You will appreciate the magic and majesty they add to this theater of cinematic, symphonic metal. Ambre’s vocals are such a fresh shot of energy and emotion! She sings, “For I gave my heart. Laid it on the ground to die. Holding one last spark. For my dream to stay alive. Raise me up all the way. From this cold winter day. I will not give up. I will not stand down. I try to find my way. It´s never enough. I close my eyes now. There is no turning back. It´s the end but I´ll be reborn. I will be reborn!” Just what this band’s music needed. You just want to jump in and march with them to the top.

“You Will Never Be Our God”, opens with powerful lead electric guitar riffs, well-balanced with very unique and cool keyboards. The choir joins in to add more emotional lift, right before Marco delivers his best growling line, “I see the writings on the wall. Your prophecies are going to fall….by fire!” Wow! Heavy guitars, then Ambre’s beautiful, but defiant vocal, “I try to take back what was mine. A prison they have made my mind, my enemy!” Then, she sings the title. A definite punch thrown against the far right and its legacy of hatred around the globe. The perfect early answer to the dichotomy of “Two Worlds”. A modern anthem, and at the same time, a fight song! Rah!

They definitely get extra points for creating my favorite album title so far this year. We all need more hope and that title, “The Wonders Still Awaiting”, captures it all! Thanks. The choir opens this one spectacularly. If you have not been absorbed by the first couple of tracks on this album, check your pulse. I just want to get up and fight for tomorrow. Ambre’s vocals full of promise are just overwhelming. She sings, “Hold me, embrace me, come take me away with you. Lead me and show me the wonders beyond this world!” Ambre then sings the lines I’ve been looking for, throughout the album: “You will guide my way back from here. Where I lost my old dream. Come, you whisper silently into my ears…to Neverworld again”. There it is, the return to Neverworld. The connection…finally.

The music video for “Ghosts”, is a must see. Xandria is going for broke on this album, trying to recapture the crest and peak of the genre. They have spared no expense early on this album. Similar to what Visions of Atlantis did last year. Napalm Records is also making a statement that they will invest in their best and favorite bands. This song is another wonderful showcase for Ambre’s vocals. The choirs are perfect. The symphonic music and orchestration…immaculate. The drums and guitars will give your ears a very good workout. Ambre sings, “So many worlds I have yet to unveil. Feel like the only survivor. I don’t belong here, just want to escape. Higher and higher. I just want to be lost in space and never come back. Knowing I will not return in the end. Never oh never. I just want to be lost in space and time and never come back. Follow me up to the stars. Leaving the world and the lies far behind me”. Ambre, I’m right behind you.

“Your Stories I’ll Remember”, opens with beautiful piano, authentic Celtic instruments, along with delicate violin and cello accompaniment. This is Ambre’s best showcase yet. Ambre sings, “I have walked this path with you until you’ve gone on your own. And I hope you’ve heard me still when I have said farewell. You will always be a part of what I have become. And whenever I close my eyes. I think back of this time. All these moments I’ll remember. All the stories that you’ve shared with me. I will never get to hear your voice again. But they´ll stay with me”. A requiem for a someone who has passed into the beyond. A wonderful, slower, more contemplative song, and break from the heavy. A memory, for all of us, and those we have lost.

“My Curse is My Redemption”, is another powerful vocal statement for Ambre. I am so glad they left her have as much room as she desired to lift this music high. Ambre sings, “I have been waiting. For someone to wake me up. From a nightmare that I can´t leave behind. So, I can rise above the blackened skies. To forgotten lands”. Behold, a star is born!

“Illusion is Their Name”, is full of wonderful orchestration, powerful guitar riffs, which you expect from Xandria, and those massive drums from Dimitrios Gatsios. Ambre lets out a powerful scream and provides her hardest vocals so far. She sings, “Poison spreading worldwide. All the way. Seeking ways to blind us. We have only one more chance. Unchain your voice inside the flames. Illusion is their name. We have been holding the key. And I won´t give up my life anymore. To slavery of your kind. We have been waiting so long to be free. To finally see the truth of this grand design”. Marco’s harsh vocals are a constant antagonist, rising up throughout the soundscape. Excellent! Where Michele Guaitoli sings a great supportive male harmony to Clémentine Delauney’s female vocals in Visions of Atlantis; Marco Heubaum sings the antagonist to Ambre Vourvahis’ angelic vocals in Xandria. The dichotomy is just perfect!

When I saw the title, “Paradise”, I imagined it would be my favorite song on the album. I was not disappointed! The song opens with deep bass and beautiful soft piano. Ambre sings, as if from a dream. Then, the thunder of drums and guitars arrive, to set the stage. Ambre sings, with violin and soft piano, “Consume me now. Break all your vows. It’s been so hard to keep us alive. You will survive no matter what for us. To destroy you one more time. We have stolen your home. Now your grave is set in stones. Our existence was a mistake for you. If only we could have shared. We’ve stepped on you. We’ve made you into this deathlike paradise”. An ode to nature and what humankind has done to this world.

“Mirror of Time”, opens fast and hard, with blazing guitars, orchestration and solid drums. Ambre sings, “I still haven’t found that peace in me. I wish we could live one other day”. Meanwhile Marco sings all the tough, harsh responses to Ambre’s cries. Over 6 minutes of epic symphonic metal magic; which is also filled with spaces of beautiful strings, epic guitar soars, and slow orchestration.

“Scars”, is another tough song, full of anguish. Ambre sings, “It´s not enough – to push it all away. It´s not enough – to play all these games. How can we let go? And embrace the scars in our soul. I know they will always last. It´s not enough”. This one has some of the best keyboards on the album. Such unique and complex keyboard innovations. The stringed orchestration in the background soundscape is wonderful.

“The Maiden and the Child”, kicks off with an epic, ELO, “Fire on High” – like opening. It sounds so great to hear that level again. Ambre sings, “All along in the night you have been my guiding light. Only when I close my eyes. And in return I will come to save your soul. Even if they take my life. I’ve seen my end over and over now. I don´t believe your lies. For all you´ve done we´re going to testify. I don´t accept your bribes. We´re gonna see you all falling down. All falling down!” Marco sings those deep harsh vocals to counter.

The closer, “Astèria”, is a magnificent, over 9-minute epic. It unfolds with a Middle-eastern sound and feel to it. They pluck that violin to its extreme, but it sounds wonderful. The choir is spectacular. Then Ambre enters the soundscape to deliver some of her best vocals, “Falling down from the sky. Fate will come. Bringing death and sorrow. I came from far away to save my soul. To flee this war. I have always known. Followed paths away from this. The guns, the suffering. This is not the homeland that we need. Bleeding in vain. Poverty. Enemies. Our destiny. Their prophecies always lead to slaughtering!” Like a homage to all that has transpired in Ukraine. The middle section of the song is epic in all ways. The choir sings; the soundscape lights up, with the firepower of the guitars and drums, along with that Middle-eastern rhythm and melody. Like Neverworld’s End, again. Like a trip back to “The Nomad’s Crown”, only this time with a larger orchestra and choir! Asteria was the Greek goddess of nocturnal oracles and shooting stars. So go to sleep on this one. A wonderful closer to the most perfect album of 2023…so far….

Just when you though they had given you all they can; on the CD version, they give you a symphonic instrumental version of the entire album to enjoy, as disc two! I can’t wait to hear that extra CD.

Please, if you love symphonic metal, run, don’t walk, to go get this now. It is too precious. The return of this great band. Hopefully, forever! No, this is not as powerful as Neverworld’s End. But it is a long way back in the right direction. It is difficult to come all the way back in one album. But it is one hell of a bold step in the right direction. Following in the direction of Edenbridge, who uses real orchestras and choirs, their sound will only get better on future albums. The album cover artwork, and band photography is supreme, and my favorite so far this year. United with a bold creative and wonderful singer, this band is completely reborn!

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