Xandria - Neverworld's End

Written by mariano on 12.03.2012 at 21:02

I don't think Nightwish owns the style, maybe they were the only ones able to do it right (at least for a while) but they've abandoned the symphonic/operatic metal several years ago anyway.

So I don't see it as a lack of originality but actually as rediscovering something we had lost.

Well of course they dont own the entire genre of Symphonic Metal. And there is many bands that put an original spin on the genre or bring their personality and make it their own/ The problem is Xandria is taking Nightwish's personal twist on the genre, rather than their own. Which is unoriginal in my opinion.

Im not saying its a bad album, i like it. And im not saying any band that makes symphonic metal is unoriginal cuz there are many symphonic acts that are original and distinguished from Nightwish. But i dont think Xandria put enough of their own personalities into the album to make it original.

It's ok... but it lacks something in the compositions imo...

Very good album and solid in terms of instrumentation, sampling and especially vocals. I'd say this looks like the best symphonic metal album of the year as Epica have fucked up and there are no much other competitors.

Since I can't post the review here till 90 days after the release date, here you go:
http://www.freakshowlb.com/freakshow/reviews/xandria-neverworld-s-end

Feel free to leave your comments!

Written by Fred on 16.03.2012 at 09:40
Since I can't post the review here till 90 days after the release date...

And since it's published on another site you won't be able to submit it here.

Haha too bad but at least we can discuss it here

Written by Troy Killjoy on 16.03.2012 at 15:18

Written by Fred on 16.03.2012 at 09:40
Since I can't post the review here till 90 days after the release date...

And since it's published on another site you won't be able to submit it here.

Well I will dare to say that this is better than anything Nightwish ever did, imo. Really fantastic album, the more I listen the more I like it. Congrats Xandria and specially Manuela for the awesome vocals.

I would have never imagined that a already well-known band that releases an album imitating old Nightwish's style after a 15 year old career would be so praised.
I thought lately that most listeners nowadays were keen on the bands evolving and changing their sound, maybe I was wrong.

Written by Unhealer on 21.03.2012 at 19:22

I would have never imagined that a already well-known band that releases an album imitating old Nightwish's style after a 15 year old career would be so praised.
I thought lately that most listeners nowadays were keen on the bands evolving and changing their sound, maybe I was wrong.

This is better than Nightwish, although I agree that there are many similarities (specially on the vocals). There are many more and better metal riffs and aggression on some tracks (take Soulcrusher as an example).

This is one of those addicted albums that the more you listen the more you love it. Give it some spins.

Written by Vonpire on 23.03.2012 at 13:05

This is better than Nightwish, although I agree that there are many similarities (specially on the vocals). There are many more and better metal riffs and aggression on some tracks (take Soulcrusher as an example).
This is one of those addicted albums that the more you listen the more you love it. Give it some spins.

I gave it two spins before saying this.
It sounds like a good record, but I feel somewhat "guilty" listening to them when every minute I am reminded of old Nightwish. There's even a song that sounds like You Give Love A Bad Name/Where Were You Last Night.
And in my opinion it is not better than old Nightwish; at least not better than Oceanborn or Wishmaster.

I won't rate this record, at least for now.

Written by Vonpire on 23.03.2012 at 13:05

This is one of those addicted albums that the more you listen the more you love it. Give it some spins.

I have to agree, it has excellent replay value for me.

I've been looking for a band with old Nightwish sound and i never thought of Xandria as it used to be with Lisa
Valentine was the first song i heard off Neverworld's End, and i was surprised. It sounds exactly like Wishmaster I like how they keep the theme and style throughout the whole album. Forevermore and Call Of The Wind sound awesome!
Love Manuela's voice and she also seems to be a nice person to work with.
I rate it 8, because they've just started with this style, it's not easy to sound like old Nightwish, the sound and the melodies still aren't polished to their finest. But i'm certainly looking forward to their gigs and upcoming albums.

F*** ! I can't stop listening to this. xD

I have not heard that much of Xandria's earlier work but the songs I did have a go at I remember as rather generic. As so many other bands they quickly got lost and forgotten in the endless sea that is female fronted "gothic metal". (Ugh! I despise that labelling).

So here I was expecting another forgettable snorefest, but darn was I wrong! This really is early Nightwish reborn and seeing as that was what got me into metal in the first place I can't help but to embrace Xandria's new direction. Despite the complete lack of originality the album was still thoroughly enjoyable. The majority of the songs felt varied enough and the vocals are top-notch.

Now I just hope that the band tries to evolve this new foundation and bring some original stuff into the mix. If so, I am convinced that it can go from good to great.

Great album. I never paid much attention to Xandria ever before.

i really missed old Nightwish, now I wont have to anymore not as good as old Nightwish of course,except for the solos. really impressed me

Sounds exactly same like old Nightwish, not my cup of tea though.

Written by Constantine on 05.05.2012 at 17:24

Sounds exactly same like old Nightwish, not my cup of tea though.

Sounds nothing like old Nigthwish. Old Nightwish combined symphonic elements with good power metal riffs, Xandria uses symphonic elements to disguise mediocre songwriting.

Written by [user id=105293] on 22.05.2012 at 19:22

Old Nightwish combined symphonic elements with good power metal riffs, Xandria uses symphonic elements to disguise mediocre songwriting.

You won a box full of puppies for that comment.

My first impression: This is soooooo corny.
My second impression: Eh, it was worth another try.
My third impression: Get out of my mind you siren!
My fourth impression: Time to press play again.

Written by The Galactician on 23.05.2012 at 22:20

My first impression: This is soooooo corny.
My second impression: Eh, it was worth another try.
My third impression: Get out of my mind you siren!
My fourth impression: Time to press play again.

Yup , this album has that effect

What a boring record. Have heard all the elements used a hundred times before on other symphonic metal bands. Originality: Zero.

Best since "Wishmaster".

Recently I haven't used "9" many times, but this totally deserves it. Great

Great Manuela! 10!

The best album of 2012 for me. I love this new sound, which combines the best aspects of Nightwish: the operatic vocals of the Tarja-era and the epic symphonics of the Anette-era. Too bad it's made by another band
But seriously, almost every song is great on this album, even the ballads. My favourites are The Lost Elysion, Call Of The Wind, The Nomad's Crown. Manuela is great, her voice is not as unique and beautiful as Lisa's, but fits well with their new sound.
And they are good live too, I saw them opening for Epica and they were so much better than them

The old Nightwish sound is back in this Xandria album... Good album

For me, this album is the best symphonic album of the last year.

Heh,missed this one baause I was give up on Xandira a while ago.
Find it out indecently and wasn't expected at all that I can hear some kind of Wishmaster/Oceanburn remake from someone else rather than Nightwish.

That is really good.
Missing old Nightwish.

Another outstanding album that a lot of people probably dismissed for "copying Nightwish" (and others never listened because this isn't what Xandria used to be known for).

In fact, I read somewhere that Manuela was one of the auditioners to replace Tarja in 2006. Don't know if that's true, and, considering how and why she eventually left Xandria (look up all the ex-singer drama that surfaced after Dianne left, too), Manuela would probably "survive" Nightwish for even less time than Anette did. But this one Xandria album is already enough of a great legacy in my eyes (and ears).

Neverworld's End's only weakness for me is its insistence on having just one type of songs. They are really all more or less the same (save for the ballads). BUT, while there are no surprises (other than the very fact of getting an album like that from a band known for completely different music), there are no weak tracks either on the main tracklist. The songwriting is consistently top-notch, all the songs are catchy and Manuela's vocals are yet another proof that Tarja was never as unique as her fans thought. Also, The Nomad's Crown is one of the most epic album finishers I know, the ending is simply brilliant.

As for the two bonus tracks - just let them stay away from the rest. I only learned about their existence recently, and it was better without them.