Xeneris debut album Eternal Rising, was released on June 14th, through Via Frontiers Music Srl. Xeneris, is an Italian powerhouse of symphonic metal. The band is made up of ‘Mastermind’, Federico Paolini who says, “Eternal Rising tells a story of resurrection and resilience narrated through the myth of the phoenix’s rebirth: every 500 years. The phoenix dies and rises from its ashes, thus ensuring immortality through this purifying ritual. For us, it’s a concept very representative of our musical journey that is reborn and continues, representing also the will to continue our path with renewed passion.”
Xeneris was formed in December 2022, after the disbandment of Kalidia (one of the hottest Italian power metal bands, with over 7 million streams and 5 million YouTube views. Xeneris was created by Federico Paolini, (Co-founder, composer, and guitarist), and Roberto Donati (Co-founder, and bassist). They joined together with singer Maryan and the rhythmic genius of Stefano Livieri, on drums.
Federico invites fans on an ‘Odyssey’ of adventurous and cinematic metal music. He states, “Get ready to be transported on a mesmerizing odyssey through the annals of myth and legend. From traversing the Mediterranean alongside Ulysses to beholding the Phoenix’s resurrection. Follow Dante’s descent into Hades and surrender to the seductive allure of an Arabian night, where the Sahara’s gentle zephyrs embrace you in their warm embrace”.
This album is a compilation of many stories of history, which in itself is a very good thing, in order to teach new generations of the epic past. Xeneris chooses some of the most important historical stories and odysseys of ancient times.
Xeneris opens the album with a story of one of the most famous pirates and naval captains in history, “”Barbarossa”. Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha was a Turkish privateer, and the Admiral of the Ottoman Fleet, who dominated the Mediterranean for decades. The band has a video to support this song, which reminded me a lot of Visions of Atlantis’s music videos, of pirates. The music on this song makes it one of my favorite on the album. Maryan’s vocals are so much different than Clementine from Visions of Atlantis. She is warmer and has a very dynamic range.
“Before the River of Fire”, is a horrifying glimpse into what sounds like, the “River Stix”, the river between the living and the dead. It is a powerful metal rocker, full of fast electric guitar chords, as well as thumping drums. Maryan’s vocals fit the drama one might feel, filled with the prospect of standing on the edge of this precipice.
“Eternal Rising”, seems to be about the Phoenix rising. The keyboards are especially good on this song. The humming drums match well with the excellent electric metal guitar solos, buzzing around.
“Pandora’s Box”, opens big and bold with a soundscape filled with programming, orchestration and glorious keyboards. The drums are on full speed and the guitar work is amazing. Maryan’s voice rises above the volume to tell the Greek mythological story of the once opened ‘box’ that unleashes all sorts of calamity on humankind.
“A New Beginning”, also jumps out with orchestration, drums, electric lead guitar and bass rhythm. Maryan sings, “Looking back. Icy tears slowly falling down. Clear and tender. Had to feel fragile as a crystal. Was it really wrong to blindly trust you? Master, as I used to call you. Now my timid wings are spread in a firestorm. I have found in me everything I’ve been, always searching in you”. Definitely a story of a bad relationship where one was used and in some way abused. Maryan sings about being free; on her own and making independent decisions. A ‘standing on her own two feet’, after a break-up, song.
“To The Endless Sea”, is another brave pirate song, reminiscent of Xandria’s “Call of the Wind”. So many bands have been working to capture the magic of “Call of the Wind” and the wonderful album, from whence it came. And who can blame them. Visions of Atlantis have made it their permanent template for their albums. The beginning of this song almost opens in the same way as the Xandria classic. Then Maryan sings, “Breaking silence in the night. Underneath a starry night sky.
A heartbeat is striking. The calm was lost. The tides of change will rise. Rebellion gleams in fiery eyes. Refusing to play a scripted role. Thee freedom is calling. Breaking chains, unlocking doors. Hearts aflame, a rebel cry (rebel cry). The voices are rising, no more to be bound. The anchor lifts, they’ll fly. Their voice neglected for too long. Their values seemed lost. Until they dreamt a new way”. A very good song, but not as dramatic and with as much feeling and authenticity as Xandria’s masterpiece. Not Maryan’s fault at all, though. There is only one Manuela Kraller, and I don’t think anyone will ever be capable of matching her.
“Shahrazad”, is a very interesting story. Some call it the Arabian Nights, for short, but it was One Thousand and One nights, in literature. Shahrazad, told the King interesting stories each night and did not complete them, in order to stay alive the next day and complete the story. She would have another story ready for the next day, in order to survive continuously. A story a day, in order to stay alive. All because of a fearful King. The music on this song is some of the best on the album. The Arabian, or Middle-Eastern themes are wonderful to hear. The music sets the tone well. Maryan sings, (after a beautiful orchestrated introduction), “Covered in their precious veils. Entering the royal bed. Betrayal was the pain behind all executions. Didn’t know anything of their destiny. Each of them gives her love for the last night. Shahrazad was the one. To open his heart and survive. She enchanted the nights. One thousand and one”. Mid-way through the song Maryan lifts the level of this song beyond most of the others on the album, as she adds authenticity to the Arabian chants and singing, to the accompaniment of the Middle Eastern instrumental magnificence. One of the best moments of this album. This will be Maryan’s song as a claim to originality, like Kraller’s “Call of the Wind”. The story of the Arabian Nights.
“Scilla And Cariddi”, is the “story of the legend of two terrible sea monsters, Scilla and Cariddi, who lived in the Straits of Messina; the narrow strip of water, 3km long, which separates Sicily from the rest of Italy”. Maryan and Xeneris make this story both noble and heroic. Wonderful orchestration and perfect drumming, supporting electric bass and lead guitar.
“Burning Within”, is a slow opening song, after the last two which jumped out at you immediately. This one builds slowly, none-the-less. The electric guitar leads are powerful. The story here seems to be about holding your own progress back, with anger and inner remorse. The fire within seems to be eating Maryan from the inside, out. She sings, “Can’t you see I’m trapped inside my own cage? Suffocate my anger”.
“The Glorious Fight”, is an epic sounding metal rocker. A story of the Trojan wars, for sure. Maryan sings, with the speed drumming and heavy electric guitar, “In the midst of the raging war. Two heroes above the rest. The son of the sea. And the Prince of the West. Waiting under the walls of Troy. On the battlefield of our life. Two main forces tearing us apart. Night will slip away so far. Forcing out our fears. What truly believe: To follow your heart or just playing your part. Gods, who’s going to survive?” The instrumental battle ensues and opens up full scale. Like something out of Kansas’ “Magnum Opus”, or ELP’s “Mars, the Bringer of War”. Brilliant!
“Equinox”, closes with Michele Luppi, guest dueting with Maryan, on a beautiful love song and ballad. Even, the pace is slowed, with piano and soft electric guitar, reigning over the slow played drums. They sing, “Now that the darkness does not prevail. Over the day, and the light just can’t take away. The shadows now are married to the sun. And just for a moment. Stay here with me. I can see you through the chaos What is misunderstood? And who can be hurt. Let’s leave it to the shades”. Punctuated piano and slow drums make the moment perfectly dramatic. Then they are back, “My love will come. Whenever I can’t hear. (Whenever you can’t hear). Our love will come (Our love will come again)”. A nice way to end this wonderful journey of song and storytelling. They have trekked across the world, filing our ears with ancient stories and wonderful music.
Xeneris, with Eternal Rising, is laying down the gauntlet for Frontiers Music Srl, to be a direct challenge to Napalm Records’ band Xandria, and maybe Visions of Atlantis. This is only their debut album, so you can’t expect them to compete directly yet, but watch this challenge develop. Personally I love this album for its many stories across many lands. It is mostly an ancient European adventure, so maybe a spaghetti western, or a science fiction story will be next on their list. We’ll see. But they attracted me enough with “Barbarossa”, “The Endless Sea”, and “Shahrazad”, to bring me back for the next. How about you? Ready to get some history with your metal music listening? Hopefully. Listeners deserve more than just melancholic looks at mental health traumas and crime every day. We need more stories of wonder to entice our minds to dream and imagine again. Xeneris’ Eternal Rising, is just the right kind of mix to spur that inspiration on. Give it a chance, to provide experiences you will remember.
Track List:
- Barbarossa
- Before The River Of Fire
- Eternal Rising
- Pandora’s Box
- A New Beginning
- To The Endless Sea
- Shahrazad
- Scilla And Cariddi
- Burning Within
- The Glorious Fight
- Equinox
Eternal Rising was produced by Lars Rettkowitz, in the Emperial Sound Studios. The album was recorded by Emperial Sound. It was mixed by Lars Rettkowitz. Eternal Rising was mastered by Achim Kohler.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/xeneris.band
https://www.frontiers.it/artist/2196
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554733433703
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhgQMshZOmGB2zyBztvNIQ