FOLLOW THE INSTINCT

XANADU were a talented five piece band from Poland who managed to release two studio albums in the first half of the 10's. "Follow The Instinct" is the second one from 2014. And while there was only one lineup change after their 2011 debut, it's a big one as they bring in a new singer. The debut "The Last Sunrise" sounded just like RIVERSIDE to a fault. Still, what an album! The singer sounded just like Duda as did the music. More of a Prog Metal album really. The new singer has a voice that surprisingly sounds like Nick Barrett from PENDRAGON, so you can imagine the change in the sound right there from that debut.

I didn't think of RIVERSIDE once despite the heavy and atmospheric sound that we get in spades on here. This is for sure more of a Heavy Prog record. We get nine tracks worth around 50 minutes. The album opens and closes with these short 2 plus minute atmospheric pieces with repetitive guitar lines. I have a top four but I have to mention the second track and how surprising it was to hear the singer for the first time. Where did Duda go? Haha! The next song "Escape" is a top four. Just a nice heavy sound to this one. Love the synths here and throughout the way they create so much atmosphere. This theme is contrasted with the more laid back sections with vocals and emotion.

"More" and the next two songs round out my top four. So much depth of sound with "More" and it's mid paced with reserved vocals. Again so much atmosphere. Check out that dirty little guitar line that comes out of that. "Violent Dream(Pt.2)" is my favourite and this one is heavy and rhythmic. Check it out after 1 1/2 minutes. Inventive stuff here and later at 4 1/2 minutes. What a song! "Chaos" rounds out my favourites. Again it's heavy and catchy and mid paced. This one does get intense. Some powerful music on here.

I really connected with this album. I'm such a huge fan of their sound and feel that both of their records need to be heard. I do prefer this one though for being more original sounding.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to Mellotron Storm
• Report this review (#3193573)
• Buy XANADU music online with PA partners
• Show all XANADU MP3/Stream
• Go to XANADU page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Follow The Instinct page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for XANADU related discussions