Xandria
Universal Tales
Napalm Records
Need some modern German symphonic metal in yer life? You do if you know what’s good for you. So saddle up friends, because we’re not even waiting ‘til dawn. We ride right now. If you have a hankering for rich operatic vocals and multilayered orchestral metal tunes, ‘Universal Tales’ won’t just scratch that itch – it’ll tear the whole damn tickly limb off. Ambre Vourvahis’ lush vox leads these stirring songs, hitting the high, the heavy, the heartfelt and the hell yeah! This EP has some pretty serious and real-life inspiration; fighting for freedom, hope and belief that the human race isn’t, in actual fact, f***ed. Ambre’s pitch perfect vocals are beautiful to listen to but also have the immense power needed to make you pay attention to the songs’ messages too. Many styles are explored, including Celtic elements in ‘200 Years’. ‘Universal Tales’ is an EP of songs so big and strong (and their orchestral versions) that you feel the need to applaud when they finish. Nope. Scratch that. You’ll wanna give them a standing ovation.
Review by Jo Wright