Reviews

XANDRIA..'INDIA'

(Drakkar Records) Reviewed 25th November 2006

I have lived with this cd (that I aquired on import) for some while now. And I must admit to being a firm fan of this Gothic Metal Band, having all their previous releases. Unless Nightwish get their act together, Xandria fronted by the gorgeous and bubbly Lisa, could well offer a serious challenge to the Nightwish mantle. This cd offers the listener 12 tracks of pompous Gothic metal. It kicks off with the title track which does remind me a little of the aforementioned Finnish rockers. 'Now and Forever' follows and this is one of my faves. The keyboards on this track set the hairs on the back of my neck on end. And if that wasn't enough, track 3, 'In Love With The Darkness' (not the British Rock band by the way!!) keeps the momentum going. All the tracks on 'India' are excellent, with 'Widescreen' another favourite of ours here at Ravenheart! Xandria are now in the process of getting material together for their next album...Can't wait!! 9/10.. By the way, Xandria kick ass live too!! (Reviewed by Dave)

XANDRIA..'SALOME AND THE SEVENTH VEIL'

(Drakkar) Reviewed 1st June 2007

This year seems to be producing some superb female fronted releases. Sirenia, then the awesome Within Temptation opus, and now this from our buddies Xandria. I admit I have liked Xandria from their very first cd. And every one seems to get better. I thought their last offering 'India' was going to prove a difficult one to better, but yep, Xandria have produced a cd that I think does better it. 'Salome The Seventh Veil' is a very good cd indeed. It kicks of with the catchy 'Save My Life', that has an intro that reminds me a little of Sirenia (Nine Destinies And A Downfall). And the album just seems to get better from then on, with some far eastern influences creeping in from time to time. That is of no surprise considering the album's title! Track 5, 'Salome' reminds me of the Xandria of old, which is followed swiftly by the up tempo 'Only For The Stars In Your Eyes'. Thereafter, the cd seems to remain up tempo, with the exception of the rather lovely 'The Wind And The Ocean'. There are some great tracks taking us to the end of the cd, including the ultra catchy 'Sleeping Dogs Lie'. I cannot stop playing this album, which offers 48 mins + of gothic metal. Any fan of female fronted rock and metal will lap this up. The album has a great production by the band itself. It's already out in Europe, and it gets released in the UK on June 11th. Go and buy! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

XANIMA..'INSIDE WARRIOR'

(Lion Music) Reviewed 1st June 2009

Imagine Evanescence mixed with Enigma goes Kate Bush.....enter: X Anima. The band's nucleus is Pelle Händén who handles keyboards, programming, and is the composer - the female voice is provided by Jade Ell, who is also involved with the lyrics, piano and all vocal arrangements. We have here beautiful melodies, perfect grooves and excellent sound design. It's all a creative combination of pop-rock-electronica with subtle doses of symphonica. It's dark, light, fantasy, heaven and hell... and all that makes up 'Inside warrior', Xanima's debut release. 'The Deeds and the Damage' gets proceedings underway, and from this track alone, one can tell that this isn't your traditional rock or metal fare. But so what, I like it! 'Caged' is pretty cool too, while a couple of my faves on the album so happen to be the bouncy 'Born Into This Skin' and the equally bouncy 'The Essence Of Being'. Other cool songs on this record include 'Soaring' and the awesome and atmospheric title track. Lion Music (well done Lars) has hit on a winner here, that exibits crossover potential - even in the UK market. I like this very much and although not traditional rock or metal, for anybody who is open minded with their music, or is most certainly into the above mentioned acts and similar, give it a try, you will not be disappointed. A cool record! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

XOCH..'POPCORE DU JORE'

(Independent release) Reviewed 17th Sept 2006

Dave has given me this mcd to review, as he felt his own review may perhaps be 'too generous', as he has known XOCH for a while, and he just loves her music. Being a gothic rocker, this would not normally be my cuppa tea, however I like it. This is good summer time music, with a punk vibe in places, especially on the great opening track 'Anything'. I particularly like the harder rockin 'Dirty Thoughts', with 'The Waiting' (one of Dave's faves too) and 'Kyle's Mom' other favourites of mine. 'Kyle's Mom' brings a smile to my face, every time I hear it. I like the final track too, 'The Enemy', but just as I was getting into that song, it came to an end. But we have to say, XOCH is an artist who is loved here at Ravenheart, she was even signed to a small indie label here in the UK, who released her excellent debut 'The One'. However, that label went bust, leaving XOCH an unsigned act yet again. This cd is a cool release, keep it up XOCH, and we look forward to the next one (excuse the pun). Like her other releases, this cd can be obtained from cdbaby.com....great stuff 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Aimee)

XOCH..'HOLLYWOOD'

(Independent Release) Reviewed 7th April 2010

Xoch from the USA, is a good friend of mine, and she has in-fact been good friends since before Ravenheart Music was even conceived. And she and her band have this uncanny ability to write and perform rather catchy little numbers. I feel for this lass, as a few years ago she had a UK deal. The label based in the NW of England went bust, and she even had to buy her own cds back from the distributor in London. Fast forward to 2010, and this cd is testament to this girls drive and ability. As for this latest offering 'Hollywood' - what we have is 8 listed tracks of inoffensive pop/rock (9 tracks on the cd in total) that you can blast out on your car's stereo on a nice Summer's day, with your sunroof down. Or if you are one of the many here in the UK that do not have a sun roof, then with the car windows wide open :) This cd is cool, pure cool. 'Stay With Me' starts proceedings, and is an awesomely catchy song that is followed by 'Winter In Hollywood'. A slower song but equally as catchy as the opener. The piano led 'Lullaby' follows and I do like this song. 'Break Your Heart' is pure Xoch bliss, while 'The Happiest Girl' is a song originally by Donna Fargo, and features just Xoch and her autoharp. One of my faves on the album, 'Wounds (When I Dream Of You Tonight)', picks up the pace, while the closing duo of 'Don't Look Back' and 'The End Of The World' closes what is a very pleasurable listen. There is a ninth track however, another version of 'Break Your Heart', so do not take the cd off the cd player prematurely. Check out www.myspace.com/xoch and then buy it. In summary, this is good and it is easy for me to mark this highly as I kinda know this lass. However, it has to be a 9/10...good stuff Xoch. (Reviewed by Dave)

XYSTUS..'EQUILIBRIO'

(Sensory) Reviewed 27th April 2009

This is a musical by the Dutch power metal band Xystus, available as a studio recorded CD (released end of 2008) and as a separate DVD/live CD of the actual show (just released I believe, their web site is about as clear as mud, the CD didn’t appear to be widely available until long after it was announced on their site). The music can best be decribed as ‘The Black Symphony’ meets Andrew Lloyd Webber. (George Oosthoek crops up as a guest on both!). The vocalists include Simone Simons from the mighty Epica. This is a very enjoyable listen, the band plays second fiddle to the symphony orchestra, so don’t expect much power metal, more of a rock opera. My main criticism is that they don’t tell you what the story is about! If you bought the live DVD then perhaps all will become clear, but if you have only got this CD, you’ll be totally in the dark. After scouring the internet all I can tell you it’s about a battle between good and evil. Xystus also seem to be very reluctant to promote this work outside the Netherlands (I only found out about it from the Epica website), which is a real shame, as fans of Epica, Within Temptation, and rock operas will find a lot to enjoy in this very ambitious project. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Phil Wooldridge)