Xandria

This article is about the German metal band. For other uses, see Xandria (disambiguation).
Xandria

Xandria at Metalfest in Pilsen, Czech Republic (2014)
Background information
Origin Bielefeld, Germany
Genres Symphonic metal, Power metal
Years active 1994–1997, 1999–present
Labels

Drakkar Entertainment (2003–2011)

Napalm Records (2011–present)

Website www.xandria.de
Members Marco Heubaum
Gerit Lamm
Philip Restemeier
Steven Wussow
Dianne van Giersbergen
Past members See below

Xandria is a German symphonic metal band, founded by Marco Heubaum in 1994. The band's music combines elements of symphonic metal with light electronic elements.

After various demos and great success on different MP3 portals, they released their first album in 2003, entitled Kill the Sun, which reached No. 98 on the German music charts.[1] The follow-up album, Ravenheart (2004), stayed on the charts for seven weeks, reaching No. 36.[1] In 2005 they released their third album, India, which reached No. 30 on the German charts.[1] Xandria began recording their fourth album, Salomé – The Seventh Veil, on December 14, 2006. It was released on May 25, 2007 and reached No. 41 on the German charts.[1]

Lisa Middelhauve resigned on April 30, 2008 citing personal reasons and discomfort in being the band's frontwoman. The band found a new singer in February 2009, Kerstin Bischof a.k.a. Lakonia, best known for her collaborations with the band Axxis. However, after just one year Kerstin Bischof decided to leave the band to concentrate on a different career, and Middelhauve replaced her for a series of concerts in Summer 2010.[2] On December 19, 2010, Xandria announced the addition of 29-year-old female singer Manuela Kraller to the group's ranks. Manuela Kraller made her live debut at the "Classic Meets Pop" event on January 7, 2011 at the Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld, Germany.[3]

On 5 February the band announced on their website and Facebook page their new bass player Steven Wussow, along with the message that they will enter the studio again for their next studio album the same year. Neverworld's End was released on February 24, 2012.

As of 25 October 2013, the band announced on their website that Manuela Kraller had left the band to pursue a different career and announced Dutch Ex Libris singer Dianne van Giersbergen as their new vocalist.

History

Early Years and Kill the Sun

Xandria was started as a project band in 1994 by Marco Heubaum, the band's main composer and at the time vocalist, and a friend to play drums, but quickly disbanded after recording one demo.

The band was restarted with a different line-up in 1999. Marco stepped down from the role of vocals and was joined by local musician Roland Krueger on bass. In 2000, the band recorded one demo that was released to the internet, then was joined by current drummer Gerit Lamm. The female vocalist that recorded the demo left the band to follow other plans, and the band was joined by vocalist Lisa Schaphaus, and writing of the debut album started.

In 2002, the band signed to Drakkar Records and was joined by current lead guitarist Philip Restemeier. As work on the debut album progressed, shows in and around Bielefeld began. In the winter of 2002, the band entered the studio to record their debut album Kill the Sun. In early 2003, the title track of the debut album was released as a single.[4] Kill the Sun was released on May 5, 2003 through Drakkar Records and charted on the German Album Top 100. To promote the album, the band played a few shows with Schandmaul and Subway to Sally. They then went on a three-week tour of Germany with Tanzwut.[5]

Ravenheart and Bassist Change

After playing some festivals in support of Kill the Sun, the band went into writing their sophomore album. Recording of the album began in December 2003 at PLeasurepark Studios, with producer José Alvarez-Brill. Production on the album was finished in February 2004. Shortly after the recordings were completed, bassist Roland Krueger left the band and was replaced by Nils Middelhauve.

In the spring of 2004, the title track of the band’s sophomore album was released as the album’s lead single.[6] Ravenheart was released on May 24, 2004, only a year after the release of Kill the Sun.

Discography

Albums

Year Title Peak positions
GER[1] SWI[7]
2003 Kill the Sun 98 —
2004 Ravenheart 36 —
2005 India 30 —
2007 Salomé – The Seventh Veil 49 —
2012 Neverworld's End 43 51
2014 Sacrificium 25 48

Compilation albums

Year Title
2008 Now & Forever – Best of Xandria

EPs

Year Title
2004 Eversleeping
2015 Fire & Ashes (EP)

Demos

Year Title
1997 Xandria
2001 Kill The Sun

Singles

Year Title Peak positions Album
GER[8]
2004 "Ravenheart" — Ravenheart
"Eversleeping" 861
2007 "Save My Life" — Salomé – The Seventh Veil

1 Limited edition

Promo singles

Year Title Album
2003 "Kill the Sun" Kill the Sun
2005 "In Love with the Darkness" India
2007 "Sisters of the Light"1 Salomé – The Seventh Veil
2012 "Valentine" Neverworld's End
2014 "Dreamkeeper" Sacrificium
"Nightfall"
2015 "Don't Say A Word" Fire & Ashes (EP)
"Voyage Of The Fallen"

1 As Xandria vs. Jesus on Extasy

Members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Xandria — Longplay-Chartverfolgung". musicline.de (in German). Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Xandria once again looking for lead singer". Blabbermouth. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.roadrunnerreords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=151171
  4. ↑ "Xandria - Kill the Sun - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Biography". Xandria. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Xandria - Ravenheart - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  7. ↑ "Xandria". Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "Xandria — Single-Chartverfolgung". Musicline.de (in German). Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 5 June 2012.

External links

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