"Ravenheart" CD by Xandria

by Markus Wosgien (April 2004) Only one year after the great debut album "Kill the sun" which could even climb the charts in Germany Xandria are again raring to go trump themselves with "Ravenheart". An album which is made for Gothic heaven and can be named in one breath with Within Temptation's "Mother Earth" and other Gothic Metal highlights. Already the opener/title track raises a storm of fascination. A rocking track with lots of orotundity and a catchy chorus that makes it hard to go on to the next. But luckily, one highlight follows the other: "The lioness" has the same hit potential and surprises with discreet Electronica beats. "Back to the river" is mystical, whereas "Eversleeping" is a heavenly dreamy ballad. The band experiments with lots of sounds and sounds surprisingly modern - majestic dynamics however dominate the overall picture at all times. Xandria have got an unbelievable feeling for melancholic melodies and keep up the tension at all times. Lisa's affectionate, yet powerful voice make every song a little gem.