Voilà – the cover of the new Xandria album “Salomé – the seventh veil” has been revealed!
Vocalist Lisa Middelhauve is on it and she proves that what she says about herself is true – she loves the metamorphosis. This time she has turned into Salomé, the step daughter of Herod Antipas, the ancient sovereign of Gallilee and Perea and birth daughter of his sister in law Herodias, who were a couple in second marriage.
According to Mark 6:21-29, John the Baptist had continued to complain in public about the adulterous relationship of Herod and Herodias and therefore become a thorn in the flesh of the couple.
A legend states that Salomé danced the “dance of the seven veils” before Herod on the occasion of his birthday. The dance was so enchating, that Herodes delightedly said to Salomé: “Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee unto the half of my kingdom.”
And Salomé said to her mother “What shall I ask?” And she said “The head of John the Baptist”.
And Herod kept his promise and brought Salomé the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
With their adaption of the topic, Xandria find themselves in good company, since Salomé has been the subject of works of Titian, Richard Strauss, Oscar Wilde and numberous other artists.
This is Salomé dancing the dance of the seven veils painted by Gustave Moreau 1876.
