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
Listen or download X-Panda Dickybirds for free on Pleer
Listen or download X-Panda Siren for free on Pleer
