Manuela Kraller | |
|---|---|
 Kraller withXandria at a live performance in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1981-08-01)1 August 1981 (age 43) Ainring,West Germany |
| Origin | Bayerisch Gmain, Germany |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Napalm |
Manuela Kraller (born 1 August 1981) is a Germanspinto soprano singer. She is best known as the former lead singer ofsymphonic metal bandXandria from late 2010 until late 2013. She was formerly one of the soprano vocalists in the symphonic metal bandHaggard. She now has a project called Valkea Valo with her friend Tobias Gut, which strays from themetal scene and to more of a classical style.
Manuela began her musical life in 2005 at the age of 23 while singing in a Finnishchoir group, and discovered her new passion was singing. She took classical singing lessons and sang in more church and gospel choirs, and was soon asked to become a solo singer. She grew up withrock and metal music, and wanted to combine it with her classical background, and so began singing rock and metal music songs. She unsuccessfully auditioned to be the new lead singer ofNightwish in 2006.[1]
While writing her own songs, she joined the Swiss band Nagor Mar, but shortly, she left and became a vocalist for German musical groupHaggard. She only performed with Haggard live. On 19 December 2010, she became the new singer ofXandria afterLisa Middelhauve finished performing the rest of the live tour dates after Kerstin's departure.[2] On 7 January 2011, she debuted live with Xandria at the "Classic Meets Pop" event at the Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld, and performed their 2004 hit song, "Ravenheart", with the Bielefeld Philharmonic Orchestra. She then toured with Xandria on the Out of The Dark tour. On 28 November 2011, Xandria announced they would release their first album with Kraller,Neverworld's End, and released the album's only single, "Valentine", on 14 February 2012, followed by their music video with Manuela. She then went on tour withEpica,Stream of Passion andKamelot on theirNeverworld's End tour.
In August 2013, Manuela collaborated withHeidi Parviainen, the former lead singer ofAmberian Dawn, on a duet on her new projectDark Sarah for her upcoming album.[3]
On 25 October 2013, the band announced on their website that Manuela Kraller had left the band to pursue a different career and was succeeded by Dutch singer and Ex Libris frontwomanDianne van Giersbergen (who is also no longer the frontwoman of Xandria). Manuela leaves the band with regret but also full of gratitude, thanking Xandria and fans for the time together and being grateful for the "wonderful moments in mutual tours and shows".[4]
On 6 April[year needed]Heidi Parviainen confirmed on Dark Sarah'sFacebook page that Manuela Kraller is about to guest again on Dark Sarah's second album,The Puzzle.
She was inspired by symphonic metal bands. She claimsAmy Lee,Tarja Turunen andAnneke van Giersbergen were early influences on her singing style. She saidNightwish,Kamelot andWithin Temptation are her personal favorites.[5]
Songs released (2009):
Studio albums:
Singles:
Singles:
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