A new young quartet playing an instrumental prog close to PENDRAGON coming from the north of France. The French guys are offering here all that the heart desires: Mysterious chords envelop strong guitar riffs, melodies on which we can dream and all kinds of varieties, that results in the listening of demo there is no boring. The guitar playing recalls very strongly Steve HACKETT and bass and keyboard players let themselves be inspired by MARILLION. It's complex, sometimes quiet, sometimes loud and always very intriguing, like a mix between ARENA, DREAM THEATER, FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, GENESIS, IQ, LANDS END, RUSH and SPOCK'S BEARD, but all instrumental. Line-up / Musicians Manu Delestre/drums Antoine Duhem/guitars Vincent Hooge/keyboards Mat Hooge/bass Discography(Album) The Last Of The Lasts 2007
1.Sacrifice 2.On Leave 3.Verdun 4.Sons Of The Empire 5.Mud 6.Roommates 7.Trenches 8.Gas
It is nice to see bands experimenting with their sound and creating music which stems from musicians’ influences, it has however a completely personal style. Danish Xcentrik it’s not a usual band, something which is revealed through the polymorphism existing in their debut album "Welcome To The War". The band combines the Space Rock style of Faith No More with more Progressive Rock / Metal forms and some bursts which remind even Megadeth. There are some elements that keeps away this release from the extreme sound and these are some influences from David Bowie, Frank Zappa etc. It’s true that, in order to love this album, one should dedicate many hours of listening, as the music has something special which may trouble some listeners. The melodies we find here are not typical and usual and when they come from keyboards, then Faith No more come immediately to our mind. In general, it’s about a very bizzare work, which may win a certain group of fans, those who experiment with their hearings and want to discover something new. Line-up / Musicians Jan Weincke/vocals,guitar Niels Knudsen/bass Valentino/drums Casper Bausager/keyboards Discography(Album) Welcome To The War 2007
1.Welcome to the War 2.Domino 3.Gertrusestein 4.Sweet Idol 5.Spinning 6.Color & Light 7.Fabulous Machine 8.Vanity 9.The End Of Nowhere
A relatively short-lived progressive metal band, XERXES where formed in 1986 and released their first demo in 1991. Come 1993 and the band release their debut ''Beyond my Imagination'' under General Inquisitor Torquemado. The EP ''Falling Leaves'' was the last work they produced as they folded shortly after. The last known line-up, which appears to have been fairly constant throughout their career, consisted of Adrian MOSER (vocals, bass, 1987-), Michel CUENI (guitars, 1986-), Christian MOSER (guitars, 1986-), Martin FRINGELI (drums, 1986-) and Jose ESPASANDIN (keyboards, 1992-).With a sound mixing influences from folk to heavy prog, RUSH to BLIND GUARDIAN and sophisticated progressive metal in the vein of SIEGES EVEN and SOUL CAGES, XERXES are an excellent find for the 90's prog metal researchers. Line-up / Musicians Adrian Moser/vocals,bass Michel Cueni/guitars Christian Moser/guitars Martin Fringeli/drums Jose Espasandin/keyboards Discography(Album) Beyond My Imagination 1993
1.Longing 2.The Thief From Darrenlow 3.Time For Revolution 4.Beyond My Imagination 5.To The Poets Of This World
X-Panda is an interestingly named progressive metal act from Estonia, and Flight of Fancy is their impressive entrance into the scene. This mostly-instrumental debut showcases a talented young band with a unique sound, as well as a strong ability to write memorable and captivating compositions. Flight of Fancy is a truly remarkable musical experience - although many new progressive metal bands tend to derive too much from Dream Theater and the like, X-Panda truly has something unique to offer with this debut effort. All in all, Flight of Fancy is a highly successful mix of progressive rock, jazz, and metal; fans of those genres should definitely give these guys a shot. Line-up / Musicians Kaarel Tamra/keyboards Risto Virkhausen/guitars Tamar Nugis/bass,vocals Karl-Juhan Laanesaar/drums Discography(Album) Flight Of Fancy 2011
1.Intro 2.Black 3.Dickybirds 4.Flight Of Fancy 5.Siren 6.Journey Of A Dream 7.Keyboard Solo 8.Rhythm Department 9.Calm Waters 10.Crystal Gazing 11.Revelation
XSAVIOR is a Swedish progressive metal band who began when vocalist Göran Edman (YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN,TIME REQUIEM),drummer Daniel Flores (MIND'S EYE,HUBI MESEIL & TEARS OF ANGER among many others) and guitarist Benny Jansson (TEARS OF ANGER,RIDE THE SKY) got together for the recording of Jansson's third solo album "Save the World" in 2003. The aim was to create music they loved and just have a lot of fun while doing it. But there were still some members missing, which they looked hard for. Matt Norberg, a session keyboard player and Daniel's best friend since childhood, was simply a natural choice. After trying out a bass player that didn't work out Daniel called his old mate from Music School, Mathias Garnås whom had also proved himself being worthy on Benny's solo-album. Right away they entered the studio and after having worked really hard for several months they came up with 13 full songs, and XsavioR could release their debut album, entitled 'Caleidoscope', in May 2005. Line-up / Musicians Göran Edman/vocals Benny Jansson/guitar,vocals Matt Norberg/keyboards Mathias Garnås/bass Daniel Flores/drums,vocals Discography(Album) Caleidoscope 2005
1.April Skies 2.Lex the Fly 3.Mr. Chairman 4.Take Me Home 5.In Memorial Of... 6.By the Golden RIver 7.Waves of the Sea 8.Green Mile 9.Cosmic Virus 10.Material World 11.A Snake in Paradise 12.Xsavior
Xteria were another rising star on the Italian scene. They formed in 1996 and released one album in 2000.These guys offer us a tasteful music, which is based on proven components - progressive metal and classic heavy. Clearly shows the influence of such compositions as Dream Theater, Queensryche, Vanden Plas, Winger, TNT, Lynch Mob.Xteria’s musicians had already previously participate in other groups. The main strength of steel guitarist and drummer, who began playing together more in 1988. Line-up / Musicians Francesco Cataldo/Guitar Davide Baraldi/Bass Alessandro Cattani/Drums Massimo Ordine/Vocals Discography(Album) Outshine 2000
1.On the Edge 2.Soldiers of Fortune 3.Digital Conscience 4.Fire 5.Eyes on the World 6.All I Need 7.Points of View
Dutch metal project Xystus surpasses typical rock opera expectations on the troupe’s latest grandiose expose entitled EQUILIBRIO. This brazen theatrical affair boasts a cast and crew over 130 members strong, including a massive choir reserved for religious celebrations and a show-stealing full scale orchestra to properly carry mainman’s Bas Dolmans’ epic vision to life. Highlighted by the immense vocal talents of Simone Simons (Epica) and George Oosthock (Orphan) as major characters, this sweepingly majestic presentation’s ace in the hole can be found via the symphonic might and bold pomp the orchestra doles out, cutting through the competent power metal backdrop at just the right times to stir up drama, create tension, and enrich the entire production with its captivating sparkle and shine. Line-up / Musicians Bas Dolmans/vocals,guitar Ivo van Dijk/drums Bob Wijtsma/guitar Mark Brekelmans/bass Joris van de Kerkhof/keyboards Discography(Album) Equilibrio 2008
1.Ouverture 2.My Song Of Creation 3.Traveller's Theme 4.Last Breath-Death Enters 5.We Stand Divide 6.The Conlict 7.Questions Answered 8.My Time Of Need 9.Forever Bound 10.The Message 11.The Balance Restored 12.God Of Symmetry
X-PANDA is a
progressive metal band founded in April of 2009 in Estonia. The band has
not been around for long, but have built a reputation of great music
and stellar live performances. The band, which is comprised of Kaarel
TAMRA, Risto VIRKHAUSEN, Karl-Juhan LAANESAAR, and Tamar NUGIS, make
music that is both highly progressive while simultaneously accessible
and catchy. Their music has a powerful melodic edge as well as a great
metallic basis as well as jazz fusion hooks and enhancements. The band's
debut studio album, Flight of Fancy, was released in 2011. "Flight Of
Fancy" is a fantastic debut from a great new group. The production is
almost unbelievably good for a debut album and no serious fault can be
found, even when specifically looking for one. The choirs are real, as
are the violins. Plenty of synthesizer effects are thrown into the mix
to further emphasize the atmosphere, which is quite jazzy and always
adventurous. X-Panda perform their music with confidence and
professionalism. "Flight Of Fancy" features mostly instrumental music
that emphasizes strong songwriting and atmosphere. The overall mood of
the album is quite positive and energetic, but there are plenty of
deliciously dark (but no less energetic) moments along the way. When it
gets heavy, it gets pretty darn heavy, but never for too long. The riffs
and melodies are always catchy, fun and delightful and there are plenty
of surprises along the way (Dickybirds sounds like an epic battle theme
from a Final Fantasy game at points). The devastating closing number
"Revelation" is guaranteed to both make you sing along and leave you
wanting for more of the same. X-Panda have created one of the most
enjoyable albums that the prog rock/metal has seen in recent years and
they have earned their place in every prog fan's collection.
Line-up / Musicians
Kaarel Tamra/keyboards
Risto Virkhausen/guitars
Tamar Nugis/bass,vocals
Karl-Juhan Laanesaar/drums
Guests musician:
Teele Viira/vocals
Toomas Vana/trombone
Kreete Perandi/french horn
Mihkel Kalip/trumpet
Kristi Timma/violin
Tartu Youth/Choir
Discography
Flight of Fancy 2011
1.Intro 2.Black 3.Dickybirds 4.Flight Of Fancy 5.Siren 6.Journey Of A Dream 7.Keyboard Solo 8.Rhythm Department 9.Calm Waters 10.Crystal Gazing 11.Revelation
XSAVIOR is a
Swedish progressive metal band who began when vocalist Göran Edman
(YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN,TIME REQUIEM),drummer Daniel Flores (MIND'S
EYE,HUBI MESEIL & TEARS OF ANGER among many others) and guitarist
Benny Jansson (TEARS OF ANGER,RIDE THE SKY) got together for the
recording of Jansson's third solo album "Save the World" in 2003.The
three veteran session musicians felt they had much in common musically
and decided to join forces, with the aim of creating original music in
the style that they loved...progressive metal. Needing more members,
they recruited keyboardist Matt Norberg, Daniel Flores' best friend
since childhood. They soon found their bassist in Mathias Garnås (RIDE
THE SKY) and XSAVIOR was born. The new band immediately went into the
studio and recorded their debut album "Caleidoscope", which was released
in 2005. XSAVIOR merges influences from metal, progressive rock and
even pop and plays a fresh, innovative brand of progressive metal. If
you merged DREAM THEATER,SYMPHONY X,QUEEN,STYX and THE FLOWER
KINGS....XSAVIOR might be the result. Highly recommended!
