Metal Reviews

Could it be that both Epica and Xandria are on the precipice of unseating Nightwish as the definitive female fronted symphonic band? After listening to the new singles from Epica and Xandria I think the case could be made.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx9OoLwiAho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpZP3b_NPKw

Never heard of Xandria before but that single sounds EXACTLY like old Nightwish...

Xandria definitely hit the operatic vocalist jackpot in finding/hiring Manuella Kraller as their new singer. I bet Toumas is secretly kicking himself in deciding to go with Anette long term. Anette absolutely butchers Tarja era Nightwish songs:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZlmMur-TYs&feature=related

If the new Epica album is just as good as Design Your Universe than it's going to kick ass

Yeah I saw them once on tour with Anette and when they played Wishmaster, it was an epic fail. Thank god I had seen them at least twice with Tarja.

It's a different singing style, but this is in no way "butchering".

This will be the millionth time I've posted this but Anette's version of Come Cover Me is better than the original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRtqqbNs2AQ

Though I would agree a song like Wishmaster is something she should definitely not be performing.

Reviews have been very positive so far for both albums. Personally i prefer Epica but i'll be sure to check both.

It's not bad , but not even close to the original IMO. Anette sounds more comfortable and better on the newer material than Tarja era material with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions.

I've always been a big fan of Xandria, but they seem to have upped their game on this new one. Sounds like it's going to be a fantastic album.

The new Epica will likely be a bit more of the same, but quite good.

[quote="Masshole McDinglenuts"]I've always been a big fan of Xandria, but they seem to have upped their game on this new one. Sounds like it's going to be a fantastic album.

They more than upped their game, they completely reinvented themselves...and became Nightwish.

Yeah i agree

I listened to the album last night and it's certainly the best Tarja era Nightwish carbon copy since.....well Nightwish. It is good no doubt about it but some people may not like that it sound too much like old Nightwish

I'm looking forward to hearing the Xandria album next week after it's released over here in the US. I'm quite sure there are a large number of Nightwish fans who don't like Nightwish 2.0 (Anette) and have been looking for a suitable similar band to listen to. My initial thought after watching the 'Valentine' video was that someone finally got it right.

Neverworld's End has grown on me a lot since the last time i posted here and i gotta say that i prefer it to anything Nightwish has done post Tarja. In fact i think it's better than some Tarja Nightwish era albums as well and that even as a copy.. I also prefer it to the new Epica and even though i still prefer Epica overall.

As for Requiem For The Indifferent it's good but not as great as Design Your Universe was but then i am probablty biased since DYU is one of my all time favorite album. I also prefered Consign to Oblivion. I'd say it's on par with The Divine Conspiracy and the first one. That's not a knock on it or anything since all are good albums anyway.

New Epica is good. New Xandria is fantastic! I've loved all their albums, but this new one blows them away.

Waiting for Xandria to turn up but samples sound impressive, Epica is more of the same very good release that doesn't surpass their previous efforts I wont say it's not as good yet as it will probably be a grower. The missing main vocals off "Serenade Of Self-Destruction" is odd, pretty amazing stuff up how that was missed.

Check Blabbermouth. That was a manufacturing error. They offered up the complete version for free download. They should have offered new CDs if you mailed in the messed up disc, but whatever.

Yeah I went there and followed what it said, I enterted my email to get the link to the track but nothing came through?

After all praise it got I gave new Xandria a shot. And I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised cause it is quality stuff, no doubt. Originality is definitely not Xandria's strong point, and if I understood correctly this is their first Nightwish wannabe record so it makes you wonder.
But when it's done this good ...

They've never been original, though they have sort of a unique sound, if that makes sense. But yeah, this album is the first to sound so much like Nightwish.