Rulers of a Burning World - A 'Theater of Dimensions' Review

I know what you're thinking here at this moment. This is a review, isn't it? Yes, it very well is...

Do you happen to know a Symphonic power metal band out of Germany? Well, everyone knows about Avantasia, the legendary Blind Guardian, Accept, Grave Digger, Leaves' Eyes (I'll be seeing them open for Sabaton this April), Primal Fear, Helloween, Powerwolf... you know those ones already.

What I am really talking about is a band called "Xandria".

I first discovered this band when I was looking up stuff on YouTube, and it was the song "In Love with the Darkness" that I stumbled upon in a tribute to a villain in the show MLP:FIM. Other than that song, I only ever heard "Fight Me". Both songs being from their album "India". That was during the time when they had Lisa Middelhauve as their singer and she sounded so beautiful.

When I was on vacation in the US in the summer of 2012, I actually tried to find "India" at the FYI store, but they could only find "Neverworld's End" which had a different singer at the time. Being biased at the time, I immediately just decided forget it. It almost reminded me of when I only wanted to listen to the Anette Olzon era in Nightwish, and didn't show interest in the Tarja era, until a month later.

Cue mid to late 2016, I just receive word from the band that they were making a new album. My interest in them came back and being aware of their third singer Dianne van Giersbergen, I was eager to know what the new album would sound like.

Little did I know that this was a revival of when I first heard Xandria in the fall of 2012, and I was about to cross back into the Xandria territory again.

The album was released on January 27, 2017, though word did not really spread out that their album was going to be put in stock, except for the longtime fans of Xandria in Europe. I did read about their past release and EP with Dianne, but here I will put my thoughts on the tracklist//songs, and what I thought of the album overall.

Where the Heart is Home

This one had a very epic intro to an album, and it almost reminds me of a cross between Nightwish's "Once" and Epica's recent release "The Holographic Principle". The symphony in the tracking sounds phenomenal beyond words. When I hear this song, I picture a sword battle between good and evil at the ruins of an old castle.

Death to the Holy

Another good song, and it has the presence of adventure in it. The sound in this one almost reminded me of "Rhapsody" during the chorus.

Forsaken Love

It starts off with the beautiful sound of bagpipes that makes you think if Troy Donockley was even involved for that part of the song. Another Nightwish reminder that sounds very Tarja era, as Dianne's operatic vocals blow me away.

Call of Destiny

Known as the second single released days before the album came out, this was the second song I heard from the album. I actually picture myself riding in the wild on a black horse in adventure when I hear this song. The guitar solo in this song is beyond words, and sounds very similar to the solo in "Ashes to Ashes" from Kamelot.

We Are Murderers (We All)

The first single released and the first song heard a month before the album came out. This one I enjoyed. It features Bjorn Strid on guest vocals, who also did guest vocals on Kamelot's "The Great Pandemonium". The drums on this one are worthy of headbanging to. Yeah, not much can really be said about this one.

Dark Night of the Soul

Acoustic version on the Digipak version of this album is beautiful. When I hear the beginning of this song, I can imagine a seaside dock at winter time and a lighthouse shining in the distance. A beautiful ballad on both the album and the acoustic version for the bonus disc.

When the Walls Came Down (Heartache was Born)

Another wicked song to rock out to. This one almost reminds me of "Beyond the Matrix" by Epica. I love the guitars in this one especially. when I hear this song, I picture someone running towards freedom from their vile masters, and then spreading their wings and flying away to the skies above.

Ship of Doom

This one was just okay in my opinion. It reminds me of riding a pirate ship in the middle of the Atlantic sea, but the lyrics seem a bit cheesy after the choir on the first verse with the counting numbers bit.

Céilí

An instrumental song on the album. It feels like a follow-up to the previous song, and does have that pirate-like theme in the sound.

Song for Sorrow and Woe

Another Nightwish-like song. Almost reminds me of "Deep Silent Complete" during the chorus. Again, Dianne does a phenomenal job. Another well done on part with the guitar solo.

Burn Me

I feel like one should have been the second single instead of "Call of Destiny" in my honest opinion. This one sounds like "Dancing in a Hurricane", and it has a chorus that could be sung from the heart. On guest vocals is Zaher Zorgati, and he almost reminds me of Tobias Sammet when he sings, except the only difference is his tone is deeper. When I hear this song, I feel like I am in a camp at night with the fire stoked and the owls hooting in the distance with the deer running in the distance.

Queen of Hearts Reborn

I honestly thought that this was a "White Night Fantasy" and "Nemo" mixture at the beginning of the song. Then comes the heavy part, during the chorus with Dianne and the choir blending quite well. Overall, a very good ballad before the grand epic final song of the album.

A Theater of Dimensions

The final song on the album, and it is 14 minutes long. This one was quite decent, but it's not as epic as Nightwish's song "The Greatest Show on Earth" which was an epic 24 minute song. Love the narration and keyboards on this song provided by the producer of this album Joost van den Broek. Henning Basse is on guest vocals, and he sounds almost like Marco Hietala. Half of me kept asking myself if this was Avantasia and Nightwish blended with Xandria, haha. Keyboard solo followed by a guitar solo in the middle of the song is addicting.

Favorite tracks:

Hmmm, I think these were my favorites from the new Xandria album.

• Where the Heart is Home
• Death to the Holy
• Call of Destiny
• We Are Murderers (We All)
• Dark Night of the Soul
• When the Walls Came Down (Heartache Was Born)
• Burn Me

OVERALL:

I actually really enjoyed this album a lot. I mean, it's very Nightwish like by its sound and vocals. If you enjoy Nightwish and Epica, you might like Xandria as well. This album has a few good songs you'll like and a few you might think are just decent. With that, I give this album a 8.5 out of 10.

Yes, I actually aware of the news by now as the promotor close to my city has announced that Xandria will be going on their first headline tour in North America, with opening support bands Kobra and the Lotus (who I saw opened for KISS in 2014) and Once Human.

When I received word that they would finally be coming to Toronto again for the second time, I said to myself "YES!!! I will finally see them after waiting five years!"

I was completely unaware that Xandria had come to Toronto back in 2014 when they were opening for Sonata Arctica. I was devastated inside when I found out about it and thought to myself "Why didn't I go?" They were also supposed to open for Epica this past fall 2016 when I was going to see Epica. I was disappointed when they had to cancel their appearance due to visa issues.

Now they are coming to the Garrison in Toronto, and I will be going to see them. I also have a VIP Meet and Greet ticket, so I will be meeting them. Might tell them I waited five years to see them and give Dianne a hug. After all, I do plan on giving Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation a hug when they come back to Toronto and have a picture with her.

(Seriously, a lot of European bands like Lordi, and Sirenia and now these guys are coming to North America at last. So now we'll have an opportunity to see them in concert. I did see and meet Lordi this past February.)

Well, until next time. There will be a review of the Xandria show in Toronto after I go and see them.