Ah, yes, words did come to you naturally

I probably won't be listening to this until the end of the year though... not my cup of tea.

Great review, pretty much my thoughts exactly. While I have enjoyed listening to it a few times The lack of originality is the one thing that prevents me from repeatedly listening to this album.

But at the same time I just got into Nightwish recently so this album may be more interesting for those older fans that are burntout on Nightwish.

I salute your return to reviews although I probably won't listen to this at all

Although I was never a big fan of Xandria, specially since India, this release caught my eye precisely for its resemblances with good ol' Nightwish (which I'm a big fan, actually). I still haven't heard much about this album but what I did hear, I really liked it. So I think this one deserves at least a try.

Very nice review. Keep it up

I've already said what I think of this record in a couple of other threads; but basically I can't stand the similarities to Nightwish and it bothers me that this is getting so much praise for that.
There may be lots of bands doing the same out there and it's probably not that bad, but Xandria is doing it after 15 years of musical career where they had their "own" style. I believe it's cheating somehow.

I totally agree with your review though, but I think the overall score should have been affected by the 5 in originality. And leaving all that aside, I don't think the album itself is that good. But that could just be me being mad at the band, who knows.

The best thing about this album is that it doesn't sound like Xandria. Good or maybe even very good album, but definitely not worth of all the praise it gets.

Having seen the genre and despite the high rating by MS users I would disregard this album, but your references to early Nightwish and heavy riffs sparked my interest a little. This is still not something I listen to nowadays, but maybe if I get in the mood, I will check this album out.

Based on its own merits this album is very strong I think. The fact that I still listen to it regularly after many listens tells me its certainly good enough in the songwriting department to keep me coming back despite the originality issue. I guess for me its not really an issue though, I'm too preoccupied really to give it all that much consideration. This review sums up the album nicely I think, enjoyable but such enjoyment will depend upon how much of an issue the listener makes of its originality.

My opinion Xandria´s new album is "the best Nightwish album" since "Wishmaster". Big surprise.

I like your review - this paragraph especially, sums up what I think as well:

"Perhaps it's my general low expectations from me-too symphonic metal bands, or the rather cliché cover artwork and the line-up fluctuations made me rather skeptical, but I am definitely pleasantly surprised by Neverworld's End. There will definitely be some that are unhappy about the lack of originality, but as far as this reviewer is concerned, this is an enjoyable record and a quality release for a sub-genre of music that has been producing too many unsatisfactory albums. Xandria have successfully carved out their own little niche and I look forward to their future releases with hopefully more of a personal stamp on it."

Being an old Nightwish or a new Xandria it doesn't matter... the album sounds really good.

The best songs of Neverworld's End album: Blood on my hands; Valentine; Euphoria.

Those are really great songs but the best imo are :
A Prophecy Of Worlds To Fall ; Soulcrusher ; Call Of The Wind ; Cursed ; The Nomad's Crown and Valentine.

Well thinking better... fuck that! ALL are the best

I have been following Manuela Kraller ever since I saw her in a Haggard concert, she was definitely amazing, but she does not have a rich soprano voice like Tarja.

This album, even though it lacks originality (I do not know why people are so hung up with the originality issue since the symphonic metal genre barely has a handful of bands you can call them original) but in the song-writing department, they exceed all expectations. All the tracks are memorable, and even after like 6 months, I still listen to this record and I never get bored.

The era when Nightwish used to amaze people has ended but Xandria was the one that revived it. I do not think of this as cheating, since there isn't anyone that said "you are not allowed to be influenced by Nightwish" but instead, Xandria not only borrowed some influences from Nightwish, they added their own touch (Forevermore still maintains the old Xandria style) and they managed to pull out an entirely memorable album. Now seriously, even the old Nightwish songs had at least 2-3 songs that were a sort of filler, it is not the case with the new Xandria record, all of them are memorable without exception.

I do not know why people are reluctant to listen to this record, I consider it probably the best symphonic metal record that surfaced in the 2012. I never felt so much enjoyment since Epica's Consign to Oblivion.

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 09.10.2012 at 01:10

I have been following Manuela Kraller ever since I saw her in a Haggard concert, she was definitely amazing, but she does not have a rich soprano voice like Tarja.

This album, even though it lacks originality (I do not know why people are so hung up with the originality issue since the symphonic metal genre barely has a handful of bands you can call them original) but in the song-writing department, they exceed all expectations. All the tracks are memorable, and even after like 6 months, I still listen to this record and I never get bored.

The era when Nightwish used to amaze people has ended but Xandria was the one that revived it. I do not think of this as cheating, since there isn't anyone that said "you are not allowed to be influenced by Nightwish" but instead, Xandria not only borrowed some influences from Nightwish, they added their own touch (Forevermore still maintains the old Xandria style) and they managed to pull out an entirely memorable album. Now seriously, even the old Nightwish songs had at least 2-3 songs that were a sort of filler, it is not the case with the new Xandria record, all of them are memorable without exception.

I do not know why people are reluctant to listen to this record, I consider it probably the best symphonic metal record that surfaced in the 2012. I never felt so much enjoyment since Epica's Consign to Oblivion.

Exactly my thoughts.

The cover art surely screams Nightwish : )

Written by TheMAGAmvm on 09.10.2012 at 01:10
she does not have a rich soprano voice like Tarja.

Can't hear very much difference really. It's all about shades of beauty))

Best Nightwish album since Once.