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Xandria is a German symphonic metal band founded by Marco Heubaum in 1994. Originally a project, Heubaum later restarted the project as a band in 1999, and has gone through various lineup changes. The German vocalist Lisa Middelhauve joined for the debut album, co-writing both music and lyrics for the band until her departure in 2008. Middelhauve reunited briefly with the band in 2010 following the departure of the band's second vocalist Kerstin Bischof, but left again shortly after. Manuela Kraller joined the band as the new vocalist in 2010.
The band released Neverworld's End in 2012, which was the only album to feature Kraller as she would depart in 2013. Dianne van Giersbergen was later announced as her replacement, and would record two studio albums with Xandria: Sacrificium and Theater of Dimensions. She left Xandria in 2017, citing personal reasons and tensions within the band. In 2022, the band had announced another lineup change, with the addition of the band's new vocalist Ambre Vourvahis. The band released their eighth studio album, The Wonders Still Awaiting, in February 2023.
As of 2023, Xandria has released eight studio albums and an EP.
History
The band's logo
Xandria was started as a project band in 1994 in Bielefeld by Marco Heubaum, the band's main composer and at the time vocalist, and a friend to play drums, but disbanded in 1997 after recording one demo.
The band was restarted with a different line-up in 1999. Heubaum stepped down from the role of vocalist and was joined by local musician Roland Krueger on bass. In 2000, they recorded one demo that was released on the internet and after its release, drummer Gerit Lamm joined the band. Nicole Tobien (credited as 'Isis') recorded the demo but then left the band to follow other plans and was replaced by Lisa Schaphaus. At the same time, writing of the debut album started.
In 2002, the band signed to Drakkar Records and was joined by Philip Restemeier as lead guitarist. As work on the debut album progressed, the band started playing shows in and around Bielefeld. In the winter of 2002, the band entered the studio to record their debut album Kill the Sun. They released Kill the Sun in May 2003, and it reached No. 98 on the German music charts.[1] To promote the album, the band played a few shows with Schandmaul and Subway to Sally. Then they went on a three-week tour of Germany with Tanzwut.[2]
After playing some festivals in support of Kill the Sun, the band started writing their second album. Recording of the album began in December 2003 at Pleasure Park Studios, with producer José Alvarez-Brill. Production on the album was finished in February 2004. Shortly after the recordings were completed, bassist Roland Krueger left the band and was replaced by Nils Middelhauve. Ravenheart was released on 24 May 2004, and it stayed on the charts for seven weeks, reaching No. 36.[1]
In 2005 they released their third album, India, which reached No. 30 on the German charts.[1] Xandria began recording their fourth album, Salomé – The Seventh Veil, on 14 December 2006. It was released on 25 May 2007 and reached No. 41 on the German charts.[1]
Lisa Middelhauve (née Schaphaus) resigned on 30 April 2008 citing personal reasons and discomfort in being the band's frontwoman. The band found a new singer in February 2009, Kerstin Bischof a.k.a. Lakonia, best known for her collaborations with the band Axxis. However, after just one year Kerstin Bischof decided to leave the band to concentrate on a different career, and Middelhauve replaced her for a series of concerts in Summer 2010.[3] On 19 December 2010, Xandria announced the addition of 29-year-old singer Manuela Kraller to the group's ranks. Manuela Kraller made her live debut at the "Classic Meets Pop" event on 7 January 2011 at the Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld, Germany.[4]
On 5 February 2013, the band announced on their website and Facebook page their new bass player Steven Wussow, along with the message that they would enter the studio again for their next studio album the same year.
On 25 October 2013, the band announced on their website that Kraller had left the band to pursue a different career and announced Dutch Ex Libris singer Dianne van Giersbergen as their new vocalist. Sacrificium was released in the following year. The year after, the band released their first EP titled Fire & Ashes on 31 July 2015.
Their seventh album, Theater of Dimensions was released on 27 January 2017.[5] Following the release of the album, Xandria embarked on a few shows in Europe including their first headlining tour in North America with Kobra and the Lotus and Once Human in May 2017.[6] Due to personal reasons, Xandria had cancelled their upcoming second half of the US tour as well as the Russian tour. Aeva Maurelle from the band Aeverium was the temporary vocalist for the European dates in the fall.[7]
On 13 September 2017, Dianne posted on her Facebook page that she had left Xandria. This due to having received pressure to perform from Xandria's management and the band while being physically unable to, giving her stress confirmed by doctors.[8] Two days later on 15 September 2017, ex-vocalist Manuela Kraller shared a message to the public on her Facebook page, revealing that her reason to leave four years earlier was exactly the same one. She praised Dianne for having the courage to be open about the situation to the public, which she did not dare to at the time, but now finally did.[9] Ex-vocalist Lisa Middelhauve also released a statement about Dianne's departure on the same day. She herein did not only speak about herself but also about ex-bassplayer Nils Middelhauve, whom she was married to at the time he was in the band but is now divorced from. It can be concluded that he too left Xandria under negative circumstances.[10] Guitarist Phillip Restemeier spoke about the reason behind Dianne's departure in an interview during the European tour.[11]
In 2019, Steven Wussow was later confirmed to have become the new bass player for the German power metal band Orden Ogan on 16 October 2019, signaling his departure from Xandria after one performance that year.[12]
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 Dimitrios Gatsios and guitarist Rob Klawonn replacing departing longtime members Gerit Lamm and Philip Restemeier, respectively.[13] On 7 September 2022, the band released another song, "You Will Never Be Our God".[14] With the release of the third single, "Ghosts", the band had also on 3 November 2022, announced their eighth studio album, The Wonders Still Awaiting, which was released on 3 February 2023.[15]
