Interview with Marco Heubaum from Xandria

Xandria are a popular, genre-blending Symphonic Metal band from Germany. They were founded in 1994 and have since released eight studio albums. They are currently on tour, but I was lucky enough to chat with Marco Heubaum, the founder of Xandria, and see how they are getting on.

Xandria have delighted fans with their latest incredible single 'Universal', which combines the gorgeous vocals of Ambre Vourvahis with epic guitar work and passionate lyrics by Marco. Alongside touring and releasing new singles, they have just announced a co-headlining European tour with Sirenia in November! (I am definitely not jealous of Europe, okay, I am!).

If that wasn't enough, they are also undertaking a huge USA tour with Delain next year. It is fair to say that Xandria are very busy, which is just one of the reasons I am so delighted to have spoken with them! They are also one of my favourite bands...

Credit: Xandria

Interview

First off, how is the tour going?

It´s going absolutely great, we are having the time of our lives right now and some of the shows we have been playing recently are belonging to the best shows we ever had.

What has been your favourite show so far this year?

Wacken, the JUMFestival in Korea and Rock the Lakes.

What are your favourite Xandria songs and why?

I know from Ambre that her favorite song is “Universal”.

For myself, I need to give you the same answer as many musicians do: This changes a lot, and if you ask me again in one year, I might just name different songs. At the moment, it´s one the new songs that are about to be published in the near future, and that I am very proud of. And quite a few from our current album “The Wonders Still Awaiting”, like the title song or “Astéria”. From older albums I like all the songs from “Neverworld´s End” still very much, like “A Prophecy of Worlds to Fall” or “The Nomad´s Crown”. These songs mean a lot to me, it´s like a journey I can relive every time I hear or play them, and I remember the wonderful journey it was to write them.

Your most recent song 'Universal' is a motivational song with a feminist theme, as are many songs from your portfolio. Would you say Xandria is a feminist band?

Universal is about the fate of Jina Mahsa Amini which moved me a lot. I really hope people in Iran and other theocracies like that can be free someday. Religion is still something that brings oppression and suffering to people and endangers the achievements of civilization. Not just in muslim theocracies, but also in fundamentalist christian societies, where for example religious people try to ban scientific facts from being taught to children at school, like evolution theory.

These kinds of topics are very important for me, and I just need to write about them. When it is about the oppression of the rights of women, this is definitely one of them.

When at home, what do you all like to do to relax?

I think most of us do normal things. Spending time with family and friends, reading a good book, watching a nice movie or play video games.

Why was the name 'Xandria' originally chosen?

The word “Xandría” was just popping up in my head and I liked the sound of it. Enigmatic and mysterious. Like there are stories to explore. And that´s exactly what I feel with our music. It´s like travelling through imaginative worlds and there´s a lot to discover.

If you were not musicians/artists, what careers would you have each chosen to do?

I can only speak for myself here. I probably would have continued to study Biology and seen where that leads me. I am fascinated with science and would have liked to pursue some path there.

Where do you see Xandria in ten years time?

Hopefully still writing music and touring, in a way it´s bringing joy for everyone involved.

Who would your dream musical collaboration be with?

A vocal feature of Rob Halford on a Xandria song would be amazing.

A huge thank you to Marco for answering my questions and I look forward to hearing the new songs! https://www.xandria.de/#tour-section