German symphonic metal icons XANDRIA have unveiled their second single ‚Colours‘, showcasing vocalist Ambre Vourvahis spanning growls to operatic highs. The track serves as a preview of the upcoming album Eclipse, set for release on 7 August 2026 via Napalm Records, accompanied by a full European tour in autumn.German symphonic metal veterans XANDRIA have released ‚Colours‘, the second single taken from their forthcoming studio album Eclipse, due 7 August 2026 via Napalm Records. The track offers a compelling showcase for vocalist Ambre Vourvahis, whose range effortlessly traverses guttural growls and full operatic soprano, a combination that remains rare across symphonic metal and beyond. Cinematic orchestration collides with modern riffing, while a classical choir weaves through the arrangement, resulting in a sound that is simultaneously opulent and contemporary.
Eclipse follows The Wonders Still Awaiting (2023), which reached number nine on the German album charts and became the band’s most successful release to date. The new record contains eleven tracks, each carrying its own distinct identity while forming a cohesive journey. Influences range from 1980s-inflected classic metal riffs and Celtic folk textures to dark electronic passages and intimate rock moments. Orchestration duties were handled by Hollywood film composers Lukas Geppert and Ishaan Tyagi, with contributions from the Sofia Session Orchestra and Choir. Guest appearances include violinist Ally Storch of Subway To Sally and Hollywood pianist Richard Z. Wang, who studied under Hans Zimmer.
Bandleader and sole songwriter Marco Heubaum describes the album as a statement for reason, empathy and democracy. Thematically, Eclipse engages directly with contemporary social and political developments. An extensive European headline tour spanning the UK, France, Germany, Eastern Europe and beyond is scheduled for September and October 2026.
Photo: Stefan Heilemann/Mirko Witzki