Label: Napalm Records
Format: CD, Album, Αll Media, Extended Edition, Mediabook, LP
Country: Germany
Released: Feb 3, 2023
Genre: Rock
Style: Symphonic Metal
The Wonders Still Awaiting is the eighth studio album by German symphonic metal band, Xandria. The album was released on 3 February 2023 via Napalm Records. It is the first studio album to feature lead vocalist Ambre Vourvahis, Tim Schwarz on bass, drummer Dimitros Gatsios and guitarist Rob Klawonn.
On 24 May 2022, the band posted a music video of their new song "Reborn", where Ambre Vourvahis was announced as the new vocalist. Furthermore, Tim Schwarz was announced as the new bassist, and drummer Dimitros Gatsios and guitarist Rob Klawonn replacing departing longtime members Gerit Lamm and Philip Restemeier, respectively. On 7 September 2022, the band released another song, "You Will Never Be Our God". On 3 September 2022 they released the single Ghosts, as well as announced their new album's release date and cover, ''The Wonders Still Awaiting'' out February 3, 2023 via Napalm Records. The single of the same name was released on December 6th 2022, accompanied by a music video. Their last single before the album release was ''Two Worlds'', on 1 February 2023.
REBORN:
The song tells you about the time when you feel that something very precious in your life, the passion that you give all your heart into, is about to die - and that you need all your strength for going through a hard time in which you have to painfully sacrifice and leave behind things, to let it be reborn.
YOU WILL NEVER BE OUR GOD:
This song is about the danger that the open, pluralistic and democratic society is in. From outside and inside authoritarian forces try to appeal to the low instincts in people to wield their power over them. It once looked like it could be becoming a better world after cold war had ended. Societies seemed to make progress to be more open, more tolerant towards minorities and diversity, and democracy and freedom seemed to be coming for more people. Still capitalism and its greed and injustice remained a big question we needed to address, and still too many people were living without freedom and in poverty. But instead of improving it seems we are actually heading for worse now instead of making more progress. And we need to stand up against it. Because our freedom is no longer guaranteed. Authoritarian/totalitarian ideology, religious fundamentalism, anti-science, anti-facts, greed, fascism, racism, sexism, homophobia - you will never be our god! This is to all people in the world - you all deserve to live in freedom, to live how you want to live, to say what you want to say, in respect of the freedom of others.
GHOSTS:
It is a good example for how diverse the new album will be and how many different influences we were putting into it. We had a lot of things - little musical dreams - in our minds and hearts that we wanted to realize.
THE WONDERS STILL AWAITING:
We think that together with the songs you´ve heard so far, it gives you a hint of what to expect, and that it will be musically about a lot of powerful and magical atmosphere.
But every song on this album will be its own little universe to explore, its own story and altogether it will be quite a journey of wonders and surprises
TWO WORLDS:
We have - perhaps still - the choice between two worlds. A dystopian one, if we continue on this way into reversing the progress of civilization and destroying the environment which we are living in. Or a better one, in which we can see the wonders that might still be awaiting for mankind in the future. But the bridge between those worlds is getting frail. Musically, this epic and bombastic 7 minute song takes you on a journey through more than two.
-XANDRIA
SONGS
Disc 1
1 Two Worlds 00:00:00
2 Reborn 00:07:06
3 You Will Never Be Our God 00:12:15
4 The Wonders Still Awaiting 00:17:32
5 Ghosts 00:22:29
6 Your Stories I'll Remember 00:27:54
7 My Curse Is My Redemption 00:34:15
8 Illusion Is Their Name 00:39:18
9 Paradise 00:44:25
10 Mirror Of Time 00:49:27
11 Scars 00:56:08
12 The Maiden And The Child 01:00:15
13 Astèria 01:05:09
Disc 2 (Ochestral)
1 Two Worlds 01:14:18
2 Reborn 01:21:26
3 You Will Never Be Our God 01:26:39
4 The Wonders Still Awaiting 01:31:50
5 Ghosts 01:36:50
6 Your Stories I'll Remember 01:42:27
7 My Curse Is My Redemption 01:48:38
8 Illusion Is Their Name 01:53:41
9 Paradise 01:58:48
10 Mirror Of Time 02:03:50
11 Scars 02:10:31
12 The Maiden And The Child 02:14:38
13 Astèria 02:19:32
CREDITS
Xandria
Marco Heubaum – guitars, keyboards, programming, backing vocals
Ambre Vourvahis – lead vocals
Rob Klawonn – guitars
Tim Schwarz – bass guitar
Dimitrios Gatsios – drums
Additional musicians
Ralf Scheepers – guest vocals on "You Will Never Be Our God"
Production
Zacarias Guterres – artwork
For the full Xandria Discography, click here: [ Ссылка ]
