Xandria

Xandria is a German symphonic metal group from Bielefeld, formed in 1994 by Marco Heubaum. It starts as a project before being dissolved in 1997, then restarts in 1999 with a fuller line-up. Heubaum remains the main composer throughout the group’s history. The band works within symphonic metal, gothic metal and metal, and its membership changes repeatedly over the years.

Early line-up and first releases

In the late 1990s, Xandria rebuilds around Heubaum with bassist Roland Krueger and drummer Gerit Lamm. Vocalist Nicole Tobien, credited as Isis, appears on early recordings before Lisa Schaphaus, later Lisa Middelhauve, takes over lead vocals. Middelhauve also contributes to songwriting. The debut album, Kill the Sun, appears in 2003 and reaches No. 98 on the German charts.

The group signs with Drakkar Records in 2002 and begins live performances with acts including Schandmaul, Subway to Sally and Tanzwut. After Krueger leaves, Nils Middelhauve joins on bass. The second album, Ravenheart, follows in 2004 and reaches No. 36 in Germany. India is released in 2005 and reaches No. 30, while Salomé – The Seventh Veil appears in 2007 and peaks at No. 41.

Vocal changes and later albums

Lisa Middelhauve leaves in 2008 for personal reasons and because she feels uncomfortable as frontwoman. Kerstin Bischof joins briefly in 2009, then leaves after about a year. Middelhauve returns temporarily for live performances in 2010. Later that year, Manuela Kraller becomes vocalist and records Neverworld’s End in 2012, her only album with the band.

After Kraller departs in 2013, Dutch singer Dianne van Giersbergen joins Xandria and records Sacrificium in 2014 and Theater of Dimensions in 2017. She leaves after touring for the latter release, citing personal reasons and health-related stress. Former members later speak publicly about pressure and internal conditions in the band during different periods.

Current era

In 2013 and after, Xandria continues to change line-up, with Steven Wussow joining on bass and new material taking shape. In 2022, the band announces a major line-up change with vocalist Ambre Vourvahis, bassist Tim Schwarz, drummer Dimitrios Gatsios and guitarist Rob Klawonn. With this line-up, Xandria releases The Wonders Still Awaiting in 2023 and the EP Universal Tales in 2024. By this point, the group has released eight studio albums and two EPs.