Metalcatto
If you’re new in town—as our blog stats show—then you might think we never cover any virgin… I mean, any unicorn music here. It’s been a while, but why not review Xandria‘s Eclipse to break our dark spell and start looking into some Power/Goth Metal this year that actually doesn’t make me embarrassed of being a Metalhead? Or maybe I’m wrong, and this is more of the same happy depressing music. Let’s see.
So the entry bar here is low. I think almost anyone could enjoy Eclipse for at least a few moments. It’s impossible not to compare this “heavier” approach to Power and Goth Metal with Epica. Except that the whole opera feel has been toned down, and we get thicker riffs, which isn’t too bad. The first half of the album demands more attention than the second, since things get even more approachable as we reach the end. The hooks are clear, the choruses are massive, and the production is pristine—everything you’d expect from a band with this much experience.
The songwriting might be too obvious for some—perhaps me—but I’d say the objectives are accomplished. It might not be as flashy as Jet Jaguar, but it definitely stays within the “this is all for fun” vibe. After brutal slaughter after another, I’m pleased to get a small break from the hell you guys make me go through with your submissions. Having said all that, this is a happy album. I have to complain.
So you know the problem with all this Power and Goth? Same as old school Death Metal or OG Black Metal: it’s all well done, but it’s more of the same. Unless you’re obsessed or have a particular neurodivergence, why would you stick to an album that is this safe? Unless, like me, you’re fed up with people shouting at you all the time—the life of an extreme Metal reviewer. You’ve been warned: this is consistency over innovation, to a Sonata Arctica level. ‘It does what it says on the tin, and nothing more.
I’m not let down. I’m not shocked. Eclipse is exactly what you’d expect from Xandria. Nothing to convert the non-believers, but nothing to infuriate the fanatics either. It’s rare when I get an album so firmly in the “OK” spectrum of my scale. Is that uninspiring? Maybe. But that’s usually how we all feel about big releases. I can’t escape the feelings of the mob—I mean, the people. Sometimes “fine” is fine. And in a world of constant chaos, a little predictability isn’t the worst thing. So if you’re in the mood for something safe, polished, and catchy, Eclipse has you covered. If you’re looking for the next evolution of Power Metal, it’ll never happen, that’s it.
Label: Napalm Records
Release date: August 7th, 2026
Website: https://www.xandria.de/
Country: Germany
Score: 3.0/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 