While many fans were disappointed when Tarja left Nightwish and considered it a “downgrade” of the style and music, the opposite is true for Xandria. It’s a German band and their new singer, Manuela Kraller, has a formal training just like Tarja.
Here are two tidbits:
The first album with the new singer is “Neverworld’s End”. Compare it to the older albums and you have quite the opposite impression one gets from listening to older Nightwish albums and then proceeding to listen to the newer ones. The last album reminds me of so many of the traits in older Nightwish songs that I loved, despite staying true to a genuine style.
Great music. I discovered them only two weeks ago.
// Oliver