The fourth album from the young German gothic formation Xandria represents a fine example of a sensible compromise between musical accessibility, intrigue, and memorability. Compared to the band's previous releases, the music has somewhat simplified; the symphonic and folk elements are marked by their unobtrusiveness and lightness. Vocalist Lisa Middelhauve's voice is quite versatile and strikes you with its soulfulness and, shall we say, warmth. It somehow feels as though she is singing just for you — a pleasant sensation. The guitar component largely plays a supporting role, shading the main melodic motifs, which is precisely why the album should be classified as gothic rock. At the same time, it should be noted that the album is, in the best sense, anti-depressive, despite the noticeable gothic element. As they say, "it's sad, but it makes you want to live." The compositions' melodies are catchy, so practically the entire tracklist could serve as hit material, but I'd especially highlight tracks like "Salome," "Firestorm," and "Sisters Of The Light." The bottom line: we have a pleasant musical treat — an album capable of appealing to virtually any listener while remaining quite distinctive and interesting.
P.S. In the track "Only For The Stars In Your Eyes," you can hear the voice of Mika Tauriainen, frontman of the Finnish band Entwine. Quite a successful collaboration it turned out to be.