XANDRIA – Theater Of Dimensions (2017)

Germans XANDRIA return next January 27 with a new release of symphonic metal theatrics aptly titled “Theater Of Dimensions“. Produced by Joost van den Broek, the album features an artistic Steampunk album cover, and thirteen beautifully epic tracks with guest vocals from the likes of Henning Basse (Firewind), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Björn Strid (Soilwork) and Ross Thompson (Van Canto).

Xandria 2017 – vocalist Dianne Van Giersbergen, guitarists Marco Heubaum and Philip Restemeier, bassist Steven Wussow, and drummer Gerit Lamm – open with the hammering guitars and rhapsodic vocals of “Where the Heart is Home.” Swift drum beats, pounding bass, and a quite classic metal guitar solo by Restemeier are the sonic drive behind the sublime, soaring vocals of Van Giersbergen.
The first single “We Are Murderers (We All)” contains guest vocals from Björn Strid of Swedish metal band Soilwork. In a burning duet with van Giersbergen, Xandria paint a bleak picture of a world full of war, pollution, greed, and abuse. Rapid-fire drumming from Lamm hammers home an addictive metal chorus, creating a macabre portrait that listeners will not soon forget.

Then there is “Ship of Doom,” a definite highlight of the impressive collection. With guest vocals from Ross Thompson of German a cappella outfit Van Canto, this is an enslaving, theatrical composition that conjures visions of Celtic shores, pirates, and a monstrous ship of darkness and doom.
What becomes abundantly clear about Xandria in tracks such as this is that they are passionate about their music: each track is given the utmost care, arranged just so and produced to perfection.

One of the catchiest, most radio-friendly choruses on the album occurs within “Burn Me,” which features Zaher Zorgati of the Tunisian Progressive Rock band Myrath. While it is obvious that van Giersbergen can sing circles around Zorgati, his guest appearance lends a bit of spirit to the track, which is ultimately much the better for it.
Also containing guest vocals, album namesake “A Theater of Dimensions” clocks in at over fourteen minutes and is an epic unto itself. Spoken word, symphony, poetry, punishing drums and bass, and soaring vocals are all present and accounted for.

“Dark Night of the Soul,” deserves mentioning, as the metal elements are entirely absent and the song is instead carried by orchestration and the lovely clear soprano of Dianne.
Indeed, I feel this song to be her vocal highlight of the album, as she allows the natural softness and warmth of her voice to carry the song along. It’s actually quite lovely, and the melody may well worm itself into your mind as well.

Overall, “Theater Of Dimensions” presents layer upon layer of Xandria’s fiery and bewitching, lofty and broad Symphonic Metal sparkle. Wade through the brume of synthesizers and Wussow’s deep bass grooves to experience the multiple layers of “Song for Sorrow and Woe,” an epic that shows the varying dimensions of Xandria’s works in just one song. The end result is a stellar clash of the bold and the beautiful, musically speaking.

Ultimately, Xandria have put out an entertaining, and rather typical example of symphonic metal. It’s a sometimes heavy, usually bombastic release with a pretty catchy orientation.
Fans of the band and the genre will find a lot to love with “Theater of Dimensions” and so would do well to check it out.

01. Where The Heart Is Home
02. Death To The Holy
03. Forsaken Love
04. Call Of Destiny
05. We Are Murderers (We All)
06. Dark Night Of The Soul
07. When The Walls Came Down
08. Ship Of Doom
09. Céilí
10. Song For Sorrow And Woe
11. Burn Me
12. Queen Of Hearts Reborn
13. A Theater Of Dimensions

Vocals: Dianne van Giersbergen
Guitars, Keyboards: Marco Heubaum
Guitars: Philip Restemeier
Bass: Steven Wussow
Drums: Gerit Lamm
Guest Vocals:
Henning Basse (Firewind)
Zaher Zorgati (Myrath)
Björn Strid (Soilwork)
Ross Thompson (Van Canto)

Pre Order:
www.amazon.de/Theater-Dimensions-Xandria/dp/B01MTYOL1X
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