Xandria Sacrificium

German symphonic metallers XANDRIA will release their sixth album, "Sacrificium", on May 2. According to the band, the follow-up to 2012's "Neverworld's End" will "continue the musical journey and direction" of the last CD but "will bring in even more of everything people liked" about "Neverworld's End".

The cover artwork for "Sacrificium" can be seen below.

XANDRIA last fall parted ways with their singer of three years, Manuela Kraller. Her replacement is the "astonishing 28-year-old Dutch talent" Dianne Van Giersbergen, who also fronts the progressive metal outfit EX LIBRIS.

Said Manuela in a statement: "After three years with the boys in XANDRIA, I decided to follow a different path and go my own musical way."

The sympathethic Bavarian singer left with regret but also full of gratitude, thanking band and fans for the time they had together and being grateful for the "wonderful moments in mutual tours and shows." Manuela also wished Dianne and band "all the very best for the future!"

Dianne Van Giersbergen made her live debut with XANDRIA at the end of November on a Spanish tour. Fan-filmed video footage of the Barcelona concert can be seen below.

Fans had a last chance to see Kraller singing with XANDRIA in October 2013 in Leipzig, Germany and Pratteln, Switzerland, where she performed at the Masters Of Symphonic Metal festival at Z7.