German symphonic metal icons XANDRIA just set the bar impossibly high for album announcements. The band has revealed their new studio album Eclipse, set for August 7 via Napalm Records, and they've dropped the first single "The Shannon's Home" alongside an official music video that is, quite simply, breathtaking.
"A song like a beautiful, slightly dark fairytale — which makes sense, as it is an analogy of life, pictured as the river Shannon, flowing from its source to the sea," explains band mastermind Marco Heubaum. "We felt this song had a mysterious magic that captured our hearts from the very beginning. In fact, it was the first song we wrote for this next voyage of wonders."
Eclipse is described as XANDRIA's most outspoken and cinematic album to date — 11 tracks that represent the most diverse body of work in their entire career. Classic '80s-inspired metal riffs stand alongside modern low-tuned guitars; cinematic orchestral sounds meet Celtic folk influences; dark electronic elements blend with intimate rock moments. There's even a guitar solo that owes more to Pink Floyd than to any metal genre. The album features guest appearances by Subway to Sally violinist Ally Storch, Celtic musician McAlbi, and pianist Richard Z. Wang, who has worked at Hans Zimmer's studio. The orchestration was handled by two Hollywood film score composers.
Following the successful rebirth of XANDRIA on 2023's While The Wonders Still Awaiting, Eclipse goes further — more focused, more direct, and more politically engaged, dealing almost entirely with what is happening to civilization right now.
Eclipse Tour Dates (Europe Fall 2026):
9/16 — London, UK — The Dome | 9/18 — Manchester, UK — Academy | 9/22 — Paris, FR — Nouveau Casino | 9/24 — Barcelona, ES — Razzmatazz 3 | 9/30 — Munich, DE — Backstage Halle | 10/2 — Milan, IT — Legend Club | 10/12 — Berlin, DE — Lido | 10/23 — Hamburg, DE — Bahnhof Pauli
Full dates at xandria.de